Setting the Thanksgiving table

Hosting Thanksgiving is a complicated task. Not only will you have to entertain your guests, but you'll also have to provide delicious recipes to celebrate the occasion as well as plenty of decorations. Luckily, setting the dinner table is often the easiest task, especially with a Pfaltzgraff promotion code, which can get you 20 percent off a new dinnerware set and free shipping on a $49 order! Once you've got the supplies, setting up the table will be a breeze. Here's everything you need to know about table setting etiquette.

Where everything goes on an informal table 1. The dinner plate goes in the center, with the pattern (if there is one) facing the diner. Investing in a set of white plates will keep this task easy, but decorative dinnerware is a decoration in itself - you won't have to worry too much about an elaborate centerpiece. 2. The napkin goes on top of the dinner plate, and can be folded if you're feeling creative. Try making a fan or even a turkey! 3. The dinner fork goes to the left of the plate, and is usually the largest. 4. The salad fork goes to the left of the dinner fork, and should be a bit smaller. 5. The dinner knife goes on the right side of the plate, with the blade facing inward. 6. A teaspoon goes directly to the right of the knife. 7. A soup spoon, which has a rounder head, goes to the right of the teaspoon. 8. A water glass should be placed directly above the knife, a bit higher up than the top of the plate. 9. A wineglass should go to the right of the water glass, a bit lower so it's slightly diagonal.

How to arrange a formal table A formal table has all of the same elements as an informal table, with a couple of added extras. Also, the napkin shouldn't be placed on the plate. Instead, set it to the far left. 1. Add a salad plate on top of the dinner plate. 2. A bread plate and bread knife should be placed on the left, above the forks. Put the knife diagonally across the plate, with the handle on the bottom right and the blade facing donward. 3. If there are additional glasses (for red and white wines, for example) arrange them in order of size, with the smallest on the right. 4. Add a decorative place card to the very top of the setting, so the diner can read it. 5. Place a dessert spoon and a cake fork above the plate. The spoon should be on top, with the head facing left, while the fork is on the bottom with the prongs facing right. 6. When it's time for dessert, set a cup and saucer for coffee to the right of the spoons.

All of the elements of the dinner table should be geometrically spaced. The centerpiece of the table, which could be a decorative autumn flower arrangement bought with a 1-800-FLORALS promotion code or even a cornucopia with an arrangement of squash, should be at the actual center of the table. The settings should be distanced equally apart from each other and all of the utensils should be straight and balanced.

Once you have everything all set up, take a small break! After all the hard work of cooking dinner and entertaining your guests, you deserve a bit of relaxation before everyone digs in and admires your work.