How To Set a Formal Thanksgiving Table

Setting a table can intimidating but it doesn’t have to be! We include the basics for setting a casual table and the details for a more formal table. You will be surprised how easy it is and how impressed your guests will be. Make them feel special with little effort!

Basic Table Setting Instructions

For every day or casual meals, you’ll need a placemat, dinner plate, fork, knife, spoon, water glass and napkin.

1. Lay the placemat in front of each seat at the table.
2. Place the dinner plate centered on top of each placemat.
3. Lay the folded napkin on the left side of the plate.
4. Put the fork on top of the napkin.
5. Next, put the knife next to the right side of the plate with the blade pointing towards the plate.
6. Place the spoon to the right of the knife. Make sure the utensils are lined up with the bottom of the plate.
7. Set the water glass just above the plate and to the left of the knife.

Formal Table Setting Instructions

For more formal meals or special occassions, it’s just a few more steps from the basic table setting.

1. Spread a tablecloth on the table.
2. Place a charger (plate larger than a dinner plate, or just the dinner plate is fine) in front of each seat.
3. Place a salad plate, then a soup bowl on top of each charger or dinner plate. If you’re not serving soup, then just a salad plate.
4. Lay the folded napkin on the left side of the plate.
5. Put the larger dinner fork on top of the napkin next to the plate, then the smaller salad fork to the left of the dinner fork.
6. Place the knife next to the right side of the plate with the blade pointing towards the plate.
7. Put the spoon to the right of the knife. Make sure the utensils are lined up with the bottom of the plate.
8. Set a teaspoon-sized dessert spoon horizontally above the charger or dinner plate with the handle on the right side. If you’re using a place card, set it above the dessert spoon.
9. Set a smaller bread plate to the top left of the plate and napkin and lay a smaller bread knife across the plate horizontally with the blade pointing towards the napkin and the handle on the right side.
10. Set the water glass just above the knife and place a wine glass to the right and slightly above the water glass.