Fall Decorating Ideas – Table Settings
Dress Up a Thanksgiving Table with These Simple Tips
Sep 7, 2009
Autumn meals call for beautiful, warm table settings. Aside from the china, special touches such as seasonal centerpieces, homemade place cards and holders, and special napkin rings will all help to make guests feel as though special thought was put into the meal. Whether the style is cosmopolitan or traditional, formal or informal, a dramatic table with personalized touches is sure to be a hit with guests. So when thinking up fall decorating ideas, keep table settings in mind.
Set a Proper Fall Table
First of all, any beautiful fall table setting begins with the proper layout.
- Dinner plates - The dinner plate should be placed in the center of the place mat with the napkin in the center of the plate.
- Utensils - Forks should be on the left and the knife and spoon on the right. The salad fork (the smaller one) should be on the outside, while the dinner fork (the larger one with longer tines) should be placed on the inside right next to the plate. On the right side of the plate will be the knife, on the inside, with the blade facing the plate. The spoon is next to it on the outside. The dessert fork or spoon is placed above the plate horizontally, with the tines facing the right.
- Small plates and bowls - A salad plate or bowl should be placed at the lower left of the dinner plate (off of the place mat). Directly above the forks (also off of the place mat) should be the butter plate and knife.
- Glasses - The drinking glass or goblet should be placed off of the place mat and directly above the spoon.
Placemats, Place Cards, and Napkin Rings for Fall Table Settings
Take a cue from nature. Wicker and bamboo placemats can add to the fall ambiance. Or get some simple fabric in warm fall colors to match the decorating scheme.
When it comes to setting a fall table it’s the small details that make it special. Instead of plain napkin rings, get creative. Try tying raffia or ribbon around napkins.
If using place cards they should be put in one of three spots: on top of the napkin, above the forks, or directly above the middle of the dinner plate. Use store bought place cards or easily make some.
Simple place card ideas:
- Use vintage clip-on earrings in fall colors to hold place cards (widely available at antique markets and second hand stores).
- Purchase some small letter stickers and put guests names on a piece of seasonal fruit such as a pear (or small pumpkin of course). After dinner they can peel off their name and eat the fruit (perhaps not a pumpkin).
- Informal tables can use brown craft paper as a tablecloth and clear plates. Write guests names on the paper underneath where their plate will sit.
- Write down names on a piece of ribbon and attach it to each napkin.
Fall is a wonderful time to entertain friends and family, so let them know you care, and have a little fun, and decorate a beautiful fall table.
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