Christmas Table Settings

  

And here is a little guide to making sure your beautiful pieces get placed properly:

 Few Tips:

- Napkins can be neatly folded and placed on the "service plate" or charger. Your salad should either be placed above the "salad fork" and to the left of the "bread plate". Or salad can be served after everyone is seated and have placed their napkin on their lap.

- If soup or salad is not being served, omit the corresponding spoon or fork when setting the table.

- If bread is not being served, the first to pick-up the basket should NOT take any bread, but first pass it to their left. Take bread when it is returned to you and place it back on the table.

- The "bread knife" is there to help you take a small piece of butter and to place it on your plate - not directly on your bread. Never cut your bread with your bread knife. Instead, break off a small piece of bread at a time with your fingers, and smear a little butter on with the knife. Break your bread as you eat it, not all at once. And leave your "bread plate" where it is. Never move it or any dishes.

- Wait until all guests have received their dinner before picking up a fork and knife.

- When serving, serve from the left and pick-up from the right. Beverages are to be served as well as removed from the right-hand side of the seated guest.

- Dip your spoon away from you into the soup. Also dip the bowl away from you when savoring the last few bites. Never slurp. Soup should be enjoyed noiselessly.

- After the salad or soup course, "service plates" should be removed with the empty salad plate or soup bowl.

- After finishing your meal, gently lay your silverware in the upper right-hand corner of your plate, at an angle with the tips facing away and down.

- Do not clear your plate or remove items from the table before the host finishes eating or before the host gets up from the table.

Visiting the in-laws or enjoying the holidays with someone new? Different cultures observe different rules for table manners. Here's a great reference for Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Brazilian, French, Russian, British and other culture's table manners: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners