You might think you know the basics for setting the table, but it can actually be a little more complicated than you initially think. But getting to grips with the essentials leaves you in good stead ...

While there are certain protocols for basic, casual, and formal table settings, there is some flexibility. Get creative based on the items you already own and what you’ll be serving. For a formal ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Mary Hollis Huddleston Setting a perfectly laid table is an essential part of hosting.

A group of people enjoying a meal. Image source: Pexels. Use our complete guide to help you know where to position the cutlery, how to choose the right decor, and which glasses are best. Whether ...

Like many details we tend to brush off in our hurried daily lives, the art of proper table setting seems to be getting lost in the ether. While it's true that we've become a casual society, there are ...

Don’t panic if the table is a little on the smaller side. Garten once called a too-large table a “party killer.” In her Barefoot Contessa cookbook, Back to Basics, she shared specifics. “For small ...

Don't know how? Time to call in the reinforcements. For a basic table setting, place the napkin to the left of the plate with the fork on top of it. Position the knife and spoon to the right of the ...

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. In 2023, a standard table setting, the ones today that weirdly try and ...

FARGO – Little fork for salad or the big one? Soup spoon or dessert spoon? Navigating and setting forks, spoons, plates, knives and glasses can be intimidating. Even etiquette expert Emily Post needed ...

Mackenzie Schmidt is the Home and Travel Editor for PEOPLE. She joined PEOPLE in 2016, and has served as a writer and editor on the Lifestyle team. Real talk: You eat all your meals on the couch. It's ...

The art of how to properly set a table has long been forgotten. I won't complain about it because setting one every single day can be a real pain, but boy do I love a fancy table. With Thanksgiving ...

As a caterer, I often bring in young men and women to assist with the service part of an event. The table settings can be rather complicated, so I provide a diagram or set one place as an example.