The table is set

To impress your guests at your next reception, nothing beats a smartly decorated table. In celebrating Christmas, Easter, an anniversary or any other event, a well set table often becomes the highlight of a reception. Note the tips found in this column and learn how to master the art of setting a table.

Use your imagination to create a festive atmosphere. For example, gently sprinkle your table with sparkling powder and give it a magical effect. If you're still a child at heart, why not mark off the centre of your table with a toy train set in winter scenery?
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Setting an attractive table
Tablecloths
Name cards
Plates and napkins
Flatware
Glasses
Table accessories
The centrepiece: originality and good taste!
Themes: let your imagination wander!
Accommodating children at the table

Setting an attractive table

Whether you're planning a formal reception or a friendly evening, you must set the table according to the prevailing rules of etiquette and good manners. But nothing should stop you from being fanciful!

Tablecloths

To start, place a synthetic underpad over the table to protect it against mishaps like spilled red wine or fondue liquid that could stain the table. The underpad can also muffle the sound of the dinnerware as it hits against the table. If you don't have an underpad, use a thin flannel sheet. For a formal dinner, we recommend you use a white damask tablecloth. As for the dinnerware, it should be white, with or without a pattern. Use a coloured tablecloth for casual dining with friends. Remember to harmonize everything with your interior decorating, including dinnerware and napkins. Choose a plain tablecloth if you decide to use patterned dinnerware. It's important not to match the tablecloth with the colour of the walls.

Name cards

To assign places to your guests, be creative with name cards that are adapted to the occasion: Christmas, anniversary, Easter, Halloween, etc. Most name cards are made of foldable paperboard. However, you may wish to dispense with this formal way of seating your guests. Instead, if you're serving a seafood dinner you can write the names of your guests on shells or starfish.

If you're not handy, just get name cards at your favourite store. Place name cards on the tablecloth, preferably in front of each guest's place.

Plates and napkins

Place settings should take your guests' comfort into account. You must allow enough space between each guest so he/she will feel comfortable at the table (approximately 40 cm between plates ). All depends on the number of guests who will sit around the table as well as the width of the chairs.

You should start each place setting with a charger plate (a large plate on which you'll place other plates, which remains on the table between courses so the table will not be left bare). However, if space is a problem, avoid using charger plates since they're especially large (approximately 28 centimetres in diameter). You should then place a dinner plate atop the charger plate and a bread plate in front and to the left, and a salad plate on the right. Place a napkin on the dinner plate and arrange it to suit the occasion, whether formal or casual.
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