Mealtime is the perfect place for families and loved ones to gather together around a common table. It’s a place for sharing, caring and breaking bread. There’s just something special about eating a meal together. Our Barksdale AFB housing solutions make it easy for you to cook and set a beautiful dinner table. In this post, we’ll discuss the traditional way to do a place setting and why this can be important for your daily needs.
How should I set the table for mealtime?
Dinner is served! What a wonderful sentence that is. Eating food can happen in many different ways today (in the car, in front of the TV, while walking down the street etc), but mealtime at the table is extra special. When setting the table for a meal, there’s a specific placement to keep in mind that’s outlined below. But first, it’s very helpful to know what you’re planning to serve. Are you having soup or salad before the main course? Will dessert or wine be served? Your answers to these types of questions will help to determine how formal the meal will be.
When using a basic table setting format, you’ll want to:
- Select a colorful placemat that sets the mood for your diners. If you don’t have placemats, don’t worry about it! Or, use this printable under your table settings to help teach children where each item goes. Etsy also offers many customizable solutions.
- Place the dinner plate in the center.
- If you’re using a cloth napkin, fold it neatly and place it on the left side of the plate or on top of the dinner plate.
- The fork should be placed on the left side of the dinner plate and on top of the napkin, if located there.
- On the right side of the plate, put the knife (with the cutting edge facing inward to the plate) and then the spoon on the placemat.
- A water (or soda) glass should be placed above the plate and to the right.
- Are you having wine or any additional courses like soup? Place soup / salad dishes on top of the dinner plate and remove when each dish is completed. Utensils should be placed in order of how they are going to be used, with the fork for the first course (such as salad) on the outside and the dinner fork on the inside of the left side of the plate. It sounds confusing, but a quick Google search can help to clarify any confusing points.
Why is setting the table still an important skill today?
- It is a form of hospitality to guests coming for dinner. When they enter your rental for a meal, they can see that there literally is a place for them in your home…at the table and in your life.
- It is a way to teach children to respect and appreciate mealtimes. When you teach a child how to set a table, you’re showing him or her that a meal has value and shouldn’t be taken for granted. By emphasizing the act of mealtime, you show that food is something to be grateful for and that time with family eating together means something to you.
- It creates a clean, calm space for eating that encourages overall well-being. After all, wouldn’t you rather eat at a well-set table instead of a TV tray in the living area? Table time is family time.
Temporary Barksdale AFB housing can feel like home
When you have a family, you know the importance of creating a homey atmosphere that feels safe for your children. Our Barksdale AFB housing units are perfect short term rentals for families. We offer fully furnished condos for rent that will help you have a great home-away-from-home. Dinnertime can be a special experience, even for military families on the go. Call Debi today!
Sources: https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/entertaining/how-to-set-a-table, https://food52.com/blog/4914-how-to-set-a-table, https://emilypost.com/advice/table-setting-guides/, https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-set-a-table/
