Beautiful and Correct Setting of the Festive Table + 165 PHOTOS

Choosing a tablecloth

First of all, a tablecloth is laid on the table, it would seem that this is already clear, however, this matter has its own subtleties. The tablecloth must be absolutely clean, smoothly ironed, otherwise it will only become an indicator of your untidiness. After you set the table with it, make sure that it is the same length everywhere and does not hang too low, as long edges can cause inconvenience for guests, and they can also be accidentally pulled, which will lead to an unpleasant end. holiday. Too long ends can be secured using fabric snaps, which often have an interesting design.

Also, the tablecloth should not be too short, otherwise it will look as if the girl was wearing a dress several sizes too large. If you don’t have a tablecloth or want to set the table in an unusual way, you can use special large napkins for each person. Please note that these are not the ones that lie on your knees or are used to wipe your mouth, they are much denser in material, they are large in size, since plates, cutlery, and glasses should fit on them.

Festive table setting

How to place glasses and glasses?

The third step in the table setting sequence is drinking utensils. There are several variations of how the final picture will look:

Glasses and glasses stand in one straight line to the right of the person sitting, from largest to smallest (from left to right).
Vessels for liquids are placed on the right side in a semicircle. At the same time, the farthest one is for water (if there is no pie, you can move it to the left side), the closer one is for wine, glasses for strong alcohol, next to the plate is a cup on a saucer for hot drinks.

The photo shows an option for the arrangement of glasses, glasses

According to one of the traditions, glasses are placed in the order of consumption - if the menu provides for a change of drinks, the farthest glass is for the first, then as it gets closer.

Important! Dirty dishes are removed along with plates and cutlery, with the only exception - a glass of water is always left.

The photo shows the correct arrangement of dishes, including a champagne glass and dessert cutlery

Serving rules

The next step is to arrange the plates; they are placed on top of each other depending on their size and purpose. Three types are most often used: soup, snack bar, and canteen. They are placed on the tabletop in the reverse order, since the guest will start with soup, then move on to appetizers, simply removing the already used plate from above.

Knives are placed to the right of the plate, followed by spoons in order of use. Today, the number of devices and their location are not determined as strictly as before. Since the design itself plays a huge role, based on which, according to the idea, the teaspoon can be placed not at all on the plate, but, for example, next to a saucer for cakes or served only with tea. The forks are placed on the left side with the teeth up, and the earlier it should be used, the closer it is to the plates. This arrangement of cutlery not only contributes to ease of use, but also helps guests avoid confusion.

Original serving decor in the form of a plant

Dessert cutlery is placed behind the plate, perpendicular to how all the others are laid out. There, on the right side, there are several glasses. A glass for non-alcoholic drinks: juice or mineral water must be present. Also about 2-3 glasses, each intended for a specific type of alcohol.

Instrument location

Types of glasses

Let's start with something simple, everyone knows what a flute glass is, since traditionally, especially on New Year's Day, champagne is poured into it. Although glasses of this shape are also suitable for sparkling wines. The main feature is the elongated upward shape, which allows the foam to rise and air bubbles to play inside the liquid.

Red wine glasses are also easily imaginable for most; they have a thin stem, a rounded bottom, are quite voluminous and taper towards the top. However, the type of glasses varies greatly depending on the type of wine, for example, wine glasses for “Burgundy” and “Montrachet” have a much larger volume, more reminiscent of a ball or pear, tapering less towards the top. However, it is quite rare that people at home and not even always in restaurants follow such subtleties.

A white wine glass has a more elongated shape, more like an oval. Typically, two types of wine glasses are placed side by side, a glass or glass for the chosen strong drink is added to them, and other glasses are brought as needed. Otherwise, the entire table will be filled exclusively with glasses of different types.

Types of glasses

A glass for whiskey or cognac is low, with a thick bottom, widens towards the top, and has a simple, fairly spacious shape. The martini glass is shaped like an inverted triangle, so it's not at all difficult to recognize. For cocktails, straight glasses, shot glasses, or two-tiered glasses with complex shapes are used. If you are not decorating a bar separately, then it is better to place small saucers with lemon, lime, and olives next to the bottles.

Napkin placement options

When serving, three types of napkins are used:

decorative;
napkins spread across your lap;
napkins designed for wiping hands or mouth.

Napkins that are placed on your lap can be placed on top of the soup plate, folded beautifully. Thus, when a person sits down at the table, he will immediately understand what it is intended for. On top of it you can put a small card with the guest's name or a sweet short wish. You can add a miniature flower or a piece of a spruce branch to the card.

Decorative napkins are usually placed under plates, sometimes additionally and between them. They can be folded into triangles, diamonds, or overlapping so that the colors intertwine with each other. In addition, you can also put small lace napkins under candles or glasses.

The most ordinary napkins are usually located under the cutlery, or behind the plates, but only one at a time. There should be a few more napkin holders in the center so guests can easily use whatever quantity they may need.

Beautifully folded napkin

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Serving fruit on the holiday table

Before you start serving the table with fruit, you need to prepare small, sharp knives for slicing. It would be a good idea to stock up on tools that allow you to cut out shaped elements.

Next, when decorating a fruit plate, we adhere to certain rules:

Using bananas and apples, first spray them with lemon juice. This will preserve their original appearance and prevent darkening.

A fruit plate will look more interesting if you decorate it with chocolate chips, powdered sugar or lemon or orange zest.

To decorate the plate, use nuts, mint leaves or flower petals.

Fruit should be served in a beautiful dish.

Very often, skewers are used to decorate a fruit plate.

An important point is the fact that only fresh fruits should be used for slicing. In this case, the dish will look beautiful for a long time.

You can place fruit slices on a plate in different forms. The most commonly used silhouettes are the firebird, butterfly, and tower. The children's dish is laid out in the shape of some fairy-tale hero. For an anniversary, you can mark a significant date with fruits. Table setting at home, photos of which are presented below, will tell you options for decorating fruit slices.

On video: 5 life hacks on how to cut fruit beautifully.

Boho style decor

The “boho” style is distinguished by its brightness and abundance of various interior items and decor; it can combine dishes of completely different styles, colors and shapes. The setting looks incredibly beautiful when all the wine glasses are made of different materials, some are blue, some are pink or green. In addition, this style is characterized by an abundance of textiles, that is, under each plate there can be several napkins also made of different materials; fringe and tassels are welcome, with which you can complement a monotonous tablecloth.

An important element is lighting; several lamps, lampshades, garlands can be placed around the table or above it, and candles of different shapes with unusual candlesticks or small lamps can be placed on the tabletop itself. Small frames and voluminous vases with flowers will fit interestingly into the decor. It is better to make bouquets from a mixture of wild and garden flowers, so that large heads of roses, lilies, and peonies can be seen among the abundance of greenery.

Boho table decor

Candles and candlesticks

Lighted candles on the holiday table will help create an intimate romantic atmosphere; they look good at any feast. However, you should not make the common mistake of using only candle lighting, refusing full-fledged lighting. A table for a large number of guests should be well and evenly lit. In the twilight, when you can’t see the dishes on the table and it’s hard to guess the silhouette of someone sitting next to you, it’s difficult to maintain a cheerful mood.

Candles on the festive table

Candles should be selected taking into account the color scheme of the rest of the decor and festive table serving items. For any holiday, white candles will be a good choice, while red ones, inserted into candlesticks and decorated with fir paws, will look great on the Christmas and New Year's tables.

The color of the candles depends on the color scheme of the table setting.

The methods for arranging candles are also varied. They can be placed between vases with flowers, grouped into small compositions across the entire table area, or attached to a flower stand so that they are above the bouquet.

Candlesticks made from any material are suitable for decorating a festive table: ceramics, metal, wood, glass or porcelain. However, they must match the dishes - a wooden candlestick will look bad surrounded by porcelain plates. There are no candlesticks, or they don’t match other items on the table? Then you can use small glass glasses. If you fill containers with water and insert burning candles into them, they will look unusual and impressive. And for the center of the table, if desired, you can build an even more original composition: a deep tray filled with water, in which many lit candles-tablets float.

Candles in a vase with water to decorate the festive table

Candlesticks need to be selected not only by material, but also by shape and height: according to the rules, small candles are placed in high stands, and elongated candles in low ones.

A little trick: to prevent the candle from falling during the feast, its end is slightly melted (using fire or hot water), and as soon as the bottom softens, it is placed in a candlestick. If there is a metal needle at the bottom of the stand, then everything is much simpler - the candle is simply pricked onto it.

The decoration of the festive table setting will be compositions of several candles. For example, several candles that differ from each other in size and shape are placed in a container, water is poured into it, and dried or fresh flowers and petals are thrown into it.

Composition of candles in the center of the festive table

An interesting option is to place a small candlestick with a small candle next to each guest’s cutlery. Additionally, you can decorate the composition with a boutonniere and a name card. It is best to light candles before guests arrive - at a time when everyone has already settled down, this lengthy procedure can make those gathered feel bored. It is not recommended to turn off the main lighting during lunch.

Candle with a flower for each guest

To ensure that candles burn as long as possible, they are placed in the freezer several hours before the appointed event.

Easter table

Easter decor is truly one of the cutest, because decorating eggs, baking Easter cakes and creating little bunnies with your own hands is a favorite pastime for both children and adults. The Easter table often looks stunning with baskets of colored eggs, candles and sprinkles on top of the Easter cakes. However, this is not all that can be thought of to create a beautiful festive interior.

You can make a small basket from a bunch of branches, an egg carton or any other shape. Place napkins and lace inside (which goes very beautifully with canvas fabric and coarse craft thread). You can also complement the decor with grass and flowers, both natural and artificial. And eggs, or parts of their shells, are placed on top, from which toy chicks, hares, or again flowers can emerge.

The table can be decorated with candles of different diameters and colors; low, thick candles can be placed in shells or on varnished sections of wood. Napkins, tablecloth, color of plates and dishes are best matched to the overall decor. Below are photos of Easter table settings for inspiration.

Easter table setting

In your home, your rules

You are not preparing for the filming of a cooking show - in your home you can afford to decorate the table as you like and any techniques for serving treats. First of all, this is “presentation with soul”, and not a boring, faceless arrangement of cutlery. And don’t forget about flowers, because with them even the simplest table will turn into a festive one. All in your hands!

New Year decoration

When decorating the New Year's table, several colors are most often used:

red;
green;
white;
gold.

However, it is better not to mix them together; only three colors should always be the main ones. It is better to combine gold only with white, for example, white tablecloths, beige napkins, white dishes, several of which may have a gold or black border, the pattern can also be in the form of specks. Transparent wine glasses can also be complemented with gold ribbons, white candles can be placed in golden candlesticks. You can add greenery to the bouquets; branches of lingonberries or spruce will suit the atmosphere perfectly.

Decorations made from fir branches are especially popular when serving on winter days; the photo below shows an example of how best to do this. They can be placed on the table between dishes, you can use them to decorate candles, or create a wreath in which long white candles will be inserted, which can be lit closer to midnight.

New Year or Christmas, celebrated in a red and green theme, is a classic. Checkered napkins, red tablecloth, fir cones, striped candy canes, Santa socks and white candles. This design is considered one of the most stylish and is quite traditional in America, where the New Year can be called the main holiday. You can also create a more relaxed design by placing brightly colored decorations on a crisp white tablecloth.

New Year's table setting

Another stunning color combination, just more suitable for Russia: white, blue, silver. This is where you can again use glasses and napkins of different colors. You can place small Christmas decorations with silver glitter, such as deer or Christmas trees, on the table.

Hotel tricks for your kitchen

Have you noticed that in hotels the dishes are always the simplest? Most often these are white plates without any decoration. At the same time, table setting for dinner still looks luxurious. It’s not difficult to achieve the same effect at home: you buy high-quality white dishes, and the correct layout of cutlery and beautiful textiles will add aesthetics. It is enough to fold a few fabric napkins in an original way to make the most ordinary dinner look like a beautiful picture from an interior design magazine. This is an excellent solution if finances and space for storing special dishes with decor for all occasions are not yet enough.

White tableware

Holiday in nature

Perhaps one of the most beautiful types of serving is a combination of boho, rustic and natural styles. The “rustic” style implies maximum closeness to nature, therefore, for the most part, natural materials are used, and dishes and decor are chosen in calm natural shades. Wedding tables are often decorated in a similar decor, on which there are always many bouquets made in delicate color variations, the main elements of which are again wildflowers.

Napkins are chosen from canvas fabric and white lace, cutlery can be tied with beige lace ribbons, and glasses can also be decorated with them. An abundance of lighting is also characteristic of all three styles, however, the color variations are far from being as bright and bold as in “boho”. Often, garlands with white or yellow bulbs are chosen, which can be hung above the table or laid out on it; they can also be hung around trees or braided around trunks.

Candles or other lighting fixtures do not have to be exclusively white, but it is better to use pastel colors. It can be beige, light green, lilac, or soft pink - similar colors can be used throughout the interior. But again, make sure they match.

Table setting outdoors

Dishes

Plates often set the tone for the entire table, so their choice is approached very responsibly. A formal reception requires the purchase of new dishes. There are special rules according to which plates should be placed on the table:

The edge of the table is not the best place for a plate; you should move 2-5 centimeters away from it (a distance of two fingers)
For a special occasion or business presentation, it is customary to use “double plates”, placing a napkin between them to prevent the dishes from slipping
You can place a plate for pies near the main one. The distance between them should be no more than 5-12 cm
The plates must be placed clearly on the same line. This applies to both main and pie dishes.

You need to arrange the plates, immediately taking into account that you will need space for salad bowls, vases and cutlery.

Dinner table setting for a small family

Summer twilight, garden, romance, the modest charm of wildflowers - table decorations inspired by the fairy tale of Cinderella

Marine themed table setting

Black and white tablecloth with pink flowers on the holiday table

Round table made of wood: it makes sense to display such a tabletop intentionally, without using a tablecloth

Serving Tips

Still, the main function of the table is a festive feast, which will not be so bright without a variety of dishes and snacks. Large salad bowls and hot dishes are placed in the center. Hot food is usually served on one large dish, however, this is not always convenient, so it is permissible to cook, for example, two birds, and place each one on a certain part of the table. The same applies to salad bowls; you shouldn’t put everything in one large one, it’s better to divide each dish into small, beautiful containers, this will be more convenient for guests.

In addition to the main menu, you need to serve snacks and a variety of cuts, the decoration of which will require no less attention than the table decor.

There must be fish dishes on the table, which are placed in special fish or herring plates, which have an oblong oval shape. Please note that for each treat there are special tableware that is used to serve them. First of all, there are several types of blades: pate, fish, for hot dishes. The salad is applied either with a special spoon, or most often with tongs.

Be careful and careful when decorating your holiday table, choose a style that suits your taste, and enjoy decorating. It is then that you will have a wonderful celebration that will be able to please and surprise your guests.

Arrangement of dishes on the table

VIDEO: How to beautifully set the table

How to properly set a table

Etiquette is a kind of code of good manners, which is divided into many subsections: professional, situational, business, social, dining and others. Olga Khlystova will tell and show you how to set the table correctly, according to etiquette standards.

Cutlery

During a regular lunch, each of us uses a minimum of cutlery, arranging them in random order. But the festive event requires a special layout and a certain number of forks and knives. When serving, the knife must be placed with the blade facing the plate and on the right side. As a rule, several knives are used, so their location near the plate is very important. The table knife should be closest, and the farthest one should be for appetizers, with a fish knife placed between them. The spoon turns upside down and lies between the knives. The fork is placed on the left side of the plate. The sequence of laying out forks is the same as for knives: table, fish and snack. They are placed with the cloves up at a distance of half a centimeter from the plate.

Dessert utensils may also be required. Place them in front of the plate in the following sequence: knife, fork and spoon.

Properly arranged cutlery on the holiday table is a very important point.

Cutlery decorated with rosemary sprigs on wooden stands

Neat and beautiful decoration of cutlery using fresh flowers

Cutlery decorated in a marine theme

Birthday table decor

Each person has his own main individual holiday. We are talking about the date of birth. Inviting guests to a sumptuous feast on this day is a long-standing and beloved custom by many. In this case, the table setting should reflect the occasion of the collective meeting. The traditional way to decorate a birthday table is to have bouquets of flowers in a vase in the center or a cake with candles according to the number of years of the hero of the occasion.

Etiquette secrets from aristocrats

When you find yourself in a gourmet restaurant or at an event where many respected people are present, you want to make a good impression and present yourself in the best light. To do this, you should know a few secrets that will help you behave correctly at the table:

Sit at the table correctly, with a straight back, facing the table. After sitting down, there should be a distance equal to the width of your palm between you and the table.
Use the napkin correctly. Fold a large rectangular napkin crosswise so that one end is twice as long as the other and place it on your knees with the fold in front. This will keep your clothes covered and also allow you to dry your mouth and hands.
To prevent lipstick from leaving marks on the glasses, first remove it from your lips. If you don't want to remove the lipstick, discreetly lick the edge of the glass before drinking, creating an additional "barrier" for the lipstick.
Under no circumstances should you bite baked goods. Carefully break off a small piece directly on the pie plate, holding the piece with your other hand. To spread butter on bread, you need to use a special knife. At the same time, take the required amount of product and place it on a pie plate, and only from there spread it on the bread.
Oddly enough, according to the rules of etiquette, it is not advisable to wish other guests “bon appetit.” This applies to those cases when you are going to a restaurant or cafe. According to etiquette standards, only the chef can express wishes for a bon appetit.
According to the rules of good manners, salad should only be eaten with a fork without using a knife, which can only be used as a last resort when you need to hold onto a piece of food. Under no circumstances should you cut the salad in a plate.
Elbows should be pressed to the body. Never place them on a table, and also watch your posture.
When eating soup, hold the spoon not sideways, but with the sharp end towards your mouth.
When drinking tea, hold the cup not in the usual way, by sticking your finger into the hole, but holding it by the handle with your thumb and forefinger.
Try not to come to the event hungry. This will keep you from grabbing everything and will make you look good.

Table setting is divided into several types depending on the nature of the event, as well as several styles, in accordance with the surrounding interior. By following simple tips and recommendations, you can set the table without much difficulty and appear before your guests as an attentive and hospitable hostess.

What is it for?

There is a wide variety of serving items. Most of them are not used at home every day, but they may well be needed for organizing a banquet or festive dinner.

Dishes

About 35 of their species are known. However, the most commonly used are:

Soup. A deep plate in which not only soups are served, but also muesli, milk with cereal or oatmeal. But broths, according to the rules, are not served in such dishes - special bowls are provided for them.
Table plates. They are shallow and deep. The shallow ones are used for serving main courses, and the deep ones are used to put pasta and other pasta dishes.

Pirozhkovaya. Bread, croutons or butter are served on it. Place it on top and slightly to the left of the main set. Place a small butter knife on top of it.
Chill. Externally it resembles a mollusk shell. Designed for salad appetizers or oysters.
Fish. Slightly extended for easier handling of fish dishes.

In addition, there are caviar plates, egg plates, dessert plates, salad bowls and many others. In addition, there is also such a type of plate as a serving plate. It is placed under a plate for appetizers, soups or main courses.

Glasses

The most commonly used glassware for drinks is glasses and wine glasses. They can be different in shape, volume and have different purposes, which should also be taken into account when preparing to welcome guests:

Classic elongated glasses with a volume of 120-200 ml are intended for champagne sparkling wines. served for refined champagnes. It must be cooled before filling.
The glass, slightly different from the classic one with an increased volume and a slightly narrowed neck, is served for sophisticated champagne wines. It must be cooled before filling. And fill it no more than 2/3.
For white wine, use glasses with an elongated bowl on a narrow stem, with a volume of 180-260 ml.
Red wine is poured into wider and more open glasses.
Cognac glasses can have a classic shape (snifters) or a tulip shape.

Liqueur glasses, vodka glasses, beer glasses are also used - everything here will depend on the preferences of the guests and the suggestions of the hosts.

Cutlery

Over the years of evolution of the art of cooking and serving, no less than plates, cutlery has also appeared. All of them are usually divided into main and auxiliary (they are also called serving utensils).

The first ones are intended for individual use. The second is used by all participants in the meal. They are used to separate and cut dishes into portions and place them on individual plates.

The main devices, in turn, are divided into:

Dining rooms. They are used to eat soups and main courses. The set includes a knife 20–24 cm long, a fork and a spoon, which are 5-6 cm shorter than the knife.
Snack bars. Designed for appetizers and cold dishes. Consists of a knife and fork.
Fishy. Set of slightly modified fork and knife. The fish knife is dull, in the form of a spatula. The fish fork has shortened tines.
Dessert. A trident fork 18-19 cm long, a small spoon and a knife with a narrow blade. Served with pies, mousses, puddings and other desserts. The dessert spoon can also be served with fried eggs and creamed berries.
Fruity. These include a two-pronged fork and a knife. They are used for fruit salads, melons, watermelons and unpeeled fruit desserts.

In addition, special utensils designed for specific dishes can be served (for example, a fork for oysters, sprat or lobster).

Varieties and subtleties

Serving varies. Its features are determined by the time of day and the characteristics of the festive event. For breakfast, a minimum number of dishes is served, so the number of utensils may be limited. Dinner requires a lot of dishes.

For breakfast

This is the simplest option. To properly set the table, you should place small plates. Next, place glasses and cups, saucers with teaspoons. When using utensils for butter, it is worth adding an extra spoon. Place a bowl on top of the appetizer plate. You can eat porridge from it.

On weekends, breakfast includes tea. That’s why they place a teapot or coffee pot in the center of the table. Original napkins are used for table decoration. It is also acceptable to use flowers.

For dinner

Lunch serving comes in different options. It is influenced by the number of dishes and their composition. It is recommended to lay a white tablecloth on the table and place plates on top.

If dishes are served that cannot be eaten from a common container, an additional small plate is placed. Devices should be placed based on etiquette recommendations. For decoration, napkins folded in an original way are used. A salt shaker and other equipment for spices must be placed on the table.

Full evening

Family members and friends can be invited to dinner. To ensure convenience and comfort, it is worth considering the design of the table down to the smallest detail.

To ensure a perfect celebration, you should adhere to a number of rules:

Lay out a clean and well-ironed tablecloth. It is recommended to choose a dense product. This will help avoid ringing when the dishes fall.
Choose items that match colors. All components must be included in one set. The dishes must be crystal clean.
Unopened bottles of alcohol should not be placed on the table. It is recommended to serve alcohol in open containers and immediately pour it into glasses. Textile napkins are placed near the glasses.

Banquet room

This table setting resembles a full evening one. At the same time, there are certain peculiarities. It is recommended to place shallow plates at a distance of 1 centimeter. This begins to be done from the central part. First, the plates are placed on one side, then on the other. These items should be located opposite each other.

It is recommended to place saucers for appetizers and pies on the plates. Next is to arrange the devices.

A characteristic feature of a banquet feast is the use of special personalized cards. They contain information about the participant in the celebration. Such cards are placed on the left side of the glasses.

Buffet room

This type of serving is becoming increasingly popular. It is often used for closed parties or informal meetings with business partners. Buffets are often organized at official celebrations.

Serving can be one- or two-sided. They are characterized by certain features. In the first situation, the table is placed near the wall and decorated on only one side. The second option is used for anniversaries, wedding parties, and corporate events.

When organizing a buffet table, you should maintain equal spaces between the cutlery and other elements. First, glass and crystal dishes are placed on the table. Then vases with flowers and alcohol are placed in the center. Often a separate table is used for drinks and snacks.

Coffee shop

Coffee service depends on the drinks. Strong coffee prepared on the stove is poured into porcelain cups. You should definitely use one service. To create the perfect drink, you can use a geyser coffee maker.

When serving coffee, cups should only be filled 2/3 full. This will give guests the opportunity to pour cream or milk. With this type of serving, 3 items are used - a cup, spoon and saucer. Additional details include a dessert plate. It is intended for sweets or fruits.

Teahouse

The main dish is placed in the center. A pie is placed on it. A cup, saucer and required cutlery are placed near each guest. Dessert plates are often used. The teapots are placed at the edge of the table. When using a samovar, it is placed in the central part.