If you have the will but not the money to make your table look elegant, try this:
- Tablecloth and napkins
- Candles (a must)
- Clean and polished area where you will be dining
Take a deep breath and visualize how you want the table to look, mentally take five minutes and see what you can do to improve on it. Snip a stems off an ivy plant you have in the livingroom. No? Try a flower from the garden and a stem of the ivy and with a small stip of ribbon, tie it around the napkin.
We use dishes and cutlery we already have and make it work. Anything else is either from the Dollar Store (as in individual salt and pepper shakers) or from our own cupboards. It is always a win-win dinner.
Table Settings
To start with the basics. I will use a setting for four people. It can be for 20 people but the basics are the same. You will need a clean and freshly ironed table cloth. Correct sized napkins (22″-26″ for table); and for hors d’oeurves, a luncheon (14″ – 18″) napkin is best. This can be the same or contrasting colour. Get your candles and candle sticks ready, flowers either picked or ordered, cutlery should sparkle, glasses -wine, water, and/or liqueur should be handwashed in hot, soapy water and rinsed in warm water and vinegar, Dry with a clean, soft cloth.
My 12 year old granddaughter set the table the way she has seen done in our home. No help or aide was given and I am so proud of her. Now, you can do it too, Right?