- 1). Determine the size of your tablecloth by first deciding how much drop you want. A standard tablecloth will drop 8 to 10 inches while a formal drop will run 15 to 30 inches, depending on your preference. Measure the length and width of your table. Multiply your desired drop by two and then add to the length and width to determine what size tablecloth to buy. Drape the tablecloth over the table, making it's spread equally across the all sides. Use cloth for formal dining and placements for a more casual dinner.
- 2). Place centerpiece in the middle of the table, if you are using one. Choose a centerpiece that doesn't obscure the view of the diners. A simple vase of flowers or even a fishbowl will work well.
- 3). Put down plates at each setting. Stack plates, if using more than one, placing the dinner plate at the bottom and the salad plate on top. Place the soup bowl on top of the plates. Put the small plate for the roll above these plates and to the left, ideally right above where you put down the silverware. Place a butter knife horizontal across the bread plate.
- 4). Place the forks to the left of the plate in this order: salad fork and then dinner fork. You use the outer fork first, making it easy to remember what order to place them in.
- 5). Place the knife next to the plate to the right with the blade facing the plate. Next to it, place the large spoon. Place the small spoon next, furthest from the plate.
- 6). Place glasses in front of the plate, at about 1 o'clock. Place the water glass first, then the glasses for white wine and red wine to the right of it. They should be right above the knife and spoons.
- 7). Place napkin to the left of the plate. You could also fold the napkin decoratively in the water glass or put it through a ring and set it inside the soup bowl. Sometimes the cutlery is placed inside the napkin for a decorative effect.
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