Tips for Setting an Elegant, Yet Affordable, Table

How to Set a Table With Style

• How to Set a Table With Style

  You've planned, shopped, prepared, and cooked a delectable feast, but what about your table? How you present your food can be just as important as how it tastes! Fortunately, setting an elegant holiday table may be easier -- and cheaper -- than you think. Here are some guidelines to get you going.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  PLATES: Placement -- Put the dinner plate at the center of each place setting (allow at least 24 inches for each place setting). Place a bread and butter plate at the top left of the dinner plate with a butter knife laid across it. Style -- To really showcase the appearance of your food, use simple plates with little or no design elements. To add a classy pop of color, put chargers (oversize plates) under the dinner plates.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  UTENSILS: Placement -- Lay the salad fork, dinner fork, and dessert fork to the left of the dinner plate. Set knife (cutting edge inward) and soup spoon on the right of the plate. Style -- To make your silverware sparkle, line a pan with aluminum foil and fill it with 2-3 inches of water mixed with a tsp of baking soda. Soak your silver for ten minutes then dry it off.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  GLASSWARE: Placement -- Place glasses to the right of the plate above the knife in decreasing order of size: water, wine, and dessert wine. Style -- Glasses should be clear and colorless so that the wine color can be fully appreciated. Always hold the glass up to the light to check if it's clean. A simple rinse, air dry, and towel polish should remove any residue you find.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  LINENS: Placement -- Have a big tablecloth that falls on the sides of the dining table. Fold the napkin and place it to the left of the fork or place it rolled up in a napkin ring in the center of the plate. Style -- To step it up, use a linen tablecloth with matching cloth napkins. Make sure the color of your table linen does not overpower the color of your place settings. When in doubt, go with a white or pastel to provide a clean, fresh background for the delicious food. Tip -- You can use fabric remnants or gold or silver paper to make a dramatic holiday table runner.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  CENTERPIECE: Placement -- A centerpiece creates a balanced effect on the table. Keep it low so it doesn't interfere with conversation or with the food. Style -- When choosing a centerpiece, you want to make sure that it will add to the beauty of your table without overpowering it. Some good options are fresh flowers in low arrangements, candles, or a bowl of either fresh fruit, colorful candies, glass marbles, potpourri or seashells. This is your chance to get creative.

• How to Set a Table With Style

  PLACE CARDS: Whether your party is small or large, casual or formal, you should take the time to think about where everyone should sit. Placement -- Put a place card with each guest's name at each setting. Traditionally, sitting arrangements are boy-girland couples are not seated together. You can also place your guests strategically. Break up your more talkative guests to keep the conversation lively. Style -- Simple handwritten tent cards are easy, quick, and inexpensive.