Basics of Setting a Table for the Holidays

Everything behind the Steakhouse Elite brand revolves around what happens around the table. Formal table, picnic table, or restaurant table alike, no matter where the meal, we believe it's a moment with friends and family that should be savored.

The holidays, in particular, usually call for a more formal type of family dining--one much farther removed from the grab-and-go, get-it-while-its-hot daily dinner routine. The way we serve our nightly meals is far more causal than the holiday dinner scene. Even in casual restaurants it is not uncommon to grab a fork an spoon rolled in a napkin and grab your plate hot from the kitchen delivery window. All this casual dining can make us forget the basics of a formal dinner party, from the position of the wine glass, to the proper placement of the dinner napkins.

So, when a more formal event comes along such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or a holiday party, we could often use a refresher course on how to set a table. Formal or casual dinner, there are a few key placements to consider for your holiday table setting, and we are here to give you the cliff notes so you can spend less time setting the table, and more time savoring every moment with family and friends this holiday season.

How to Set a Formal Dinner Table

When a formal setting is appropriate:

Holidays and formal dinners are the perfect time to dress the table with a formal table setting.  Since this table setting was designed for many courses such as soup, salad, and dessert course, it requires the use of additional forks, spoons, glasses, and plates.
 
How to set a formal setting:

1. For a formal setting, you should have both matching place mats and a tablecloth.
2. Start by placing matching ceramic plates in the center of the place mat to use as a reference point.
3. A cloth napkin is ideal, and should be folded in half and put on the left side of the place setting.
4. Formal dinner settings include both a dinner and salad fork on the left-hand side. The dinner fork should be as close to the plate as possible without touching, and the salad fork should be a centimeter from the dinner fork.
5. The knife should be placed on the right hand side, with the cutting edge facing in, followed by the teaspoon, then the soup spoon.
6. Wine glasses should be placed at the top right corner of the placemat, and water glasses just above the wine glass to the left.

How to Set a Casual (Basic) Dinner Table

When a casual setting is appropriate:

A casual, or basic, table setting is acceptable for most all occasions and requires the use of only the necessary utensils. This table setting is most popular for dinner parties and larger groups because it takes less room on the table and requires fewer dishes and utensils (making clean up easier too).
 
How to set a casual setting:

1. Though not required, a place mat is still recommended for a casual table setting to help with placement.
2. Start by placing the plate in the center, and place all other utensils relevant to the plate.
3. Napkins may go under the fork(s) or centered on the plate.
4. A casual table setting requires only the use of the dinner fork on the left, and a knife (cutting side in) and soup spoon on the right.  If no soup is being served, you may eliminate this utensil.
5. Wine glasses (both stemmed and non-stemmed glasses are acceptable) should be place a few inches above (and to the left) of the soup spoon. The water glass should be back, and to the left of the wine glass, and should be larger than an ordinary glass.

Whether adding a small amount of elegance to a casual dinner or pulling out all the stops for formal sit-down, a proper table setting will add an element of sophistication to any meal.  But don’t forget the small details that will not only impress your guests, but help entice conversation so you can really enjoy every moment together.  For example, remember to choose a centerpiece that allows guests to see each other across the table, always clear away salad dishes before serving the main course, and don’t wash your dishes until after your guests have left.

May your holiday season be filled with delicious food, a beautifully-set table, and amazing company that help make your holiday memories special.