We know this time of year can be stressful with all the party hostessing, in-laws in town, and of course all the meal preparation. Therefore, we’ve provided a quick how-to video and a list of what you’ll need to set a formal place setting for your Thanksgiving meal. We’ve done all of the hard work for you so you can get back to basting the turkey and being the fabulous hostess that you are!
Place Setting from Heirloom DC on Vimeo.
For a formal place setting you’ll need:
Service Plate: AKA the large plate (or charger) is the base of the setting. Placed underneath the smaller plate that is used for the first course. This plate will be used for the following course (for instance, an appetizer) until it is switched out for the entree plate.
Butter Plate: The small plate that sits to the top left corner of the service plate.
Dinner Fork: The largest fork on the outside left side of the plate. Depending on the courses that follow will determine if it is placed in the middle or closer to the service plate. Know which fork to use by starting from the outside and working your way in.
Fish Fork: Depending if there is a fish course, this small fork will be placed to the left of the dinner fork.
Salad Fork: These forks can be tricky but just remember you’ll be working your way in. Salad can either be served before or after the main entree which means this fork will be to the left or right of the dinner fork. You’ve got this!
Dinner Knife: Pretty self explanatory – this dinner knife will be on the right of the dinner plate.
Fish Knife: Like the fish fork this knife is on the smaller side and will go to the right of the dinner knife.
Salad Knife: If needed for the menu, the salad knife will follow the same rules as the salad fork. Depending on which the order the salad is served will change how this knife is arranged to the left of the service plate.
Soup Spoon or Fruit Spoon: This little guy goes to the right of the knives and is usually used for the first course when soup is served.
Oyster Fork: This interesting looking fork is unique because it is the only fork that will be placed on the right of the plate. To be used when serving shell fish.
Butter Knife: You guessed it – this rounded knife is placed on an angle on top of the butter plate. Don’t forget to make sure the handle is on the right and the blade is face down.
Glasses: You’re almost there! The glasses are to be placed on the right above the knives and spoons. Sometimes there can be up to five, but we used only three for this tutorial. Again, like the cutlery, they will be placed in the order they are used. Remember to take away glasses used for a particular course before the next course is brought out.
Napkin: The napkin can be placed in different spots, either in the space for the plate or to the left of the forks (like we did) or even under the forks if you’re running out of space.
You did it! See? That wasn’t so bad after all.
We mixed and matched different silverware and plates to get a more vintage look , feel free to get adventurous with your place setting and use what you have!
We’d love to see how your Thanksgiving table settings turn out – feel free to post pictures in the comments below! Stay tuned for more holiday decor tips and recipes on our Creative Hub!
