The RSVPs are coming in and turkeys are defrosting. With the holiday party season around the corner, it’s time to talk about table settings. A table setting is the arrangement of dishware – plates, bowls, etc. – and utensils. If you’re like us, you have probably collected a mix of china over the years. Maybe you’re wondering how to pull it all together in a cohesive and festive manner. Well, we have compiled a few tips to help you make the most of your eclectic collection of dishes.
Take inventory
Having a menu and guest list in mind will help you determine how many pieces of dishware you’ll need to have on the dinner table. No reason to set the table for five courses, if you’re only having three. Once you have a sense of how much real estate will be used for dinnerware you can budget the rest for decoration and, of course, food. Gorgeous food!
Pro tip: If you’re running low on dishware, visit our Central Square, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury stores for a curated collection of plates, bowls, mugs, and more!
Pick a theme
Just like when you’re decorating your home for the holidays, picking a theme for the dinner table will help you focus your vision. Being intentional about your vision will allow for a more harmonious interaction between the decorative features, such as the centerpiece, the name cards, and dishware. Plus, you’ll have a great conversation topic.
Pro tip: Having mismatched dinnerware frees you to take a more modern twist on the holiday dinner table. Do you have a lot of patterned dishes? Go for a fashion theme and layer different size patterns on top of each other. If you have a lot of location-themed dishwares, try a travel theme. If you’re looking for a way to use your best silver antiques, try a boutique or Regency theme. The possibilities are endless.
Think top-down
When people are sitting at the table – or photographing it for Instagram – they will be looking at it from above. Consider making your most decorative elements the most visible ones. Large plates with decorative borders work best underneath fully patterned bowls and small plates.
Pro tip: If this all feels overwhelming, that’s OK. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Pinterest and The Kitchn can serve as sources of inspiration as you’re working through this process.
However you decide to decorate your dinner table, remember, what matters most is how good the food tastes! We kid. What matters most is that everyone at the table, you included, has a wonderful time.
