I’ve added a new category to our website called Today’s Table to give you a little look at how we do things at our house. We set the table nice at supper time, although not always ‘formal’, but nice. Different foods, different guest and different occasions call for different settings. My friend Robin has a wonderful and beautiful view of her table.

Setting the table beyond a plastic plate and plastic cup will communicate to your family that gathering around the table and breaking bread together is important. Don’t feel guilty if you use paper plates, some days call for those just to survive!

The best way to teach your children (and yourself) what fork goes where and when to use it is to actually set the table at home and PRACTICE! :o) If your season of life does not allow you to set the table nicely on a regular basis consider making Sunday lunch or Saturday night supper when you go the extra mile. Assign members of the family different tasks, including the cleaning up. ;o) Or if once a week is too much, start with once a month, such as the first Sunday. Make it something you plan for and that the family can look forward to. Do your VERY BEST not to get stressed about it and have a good attitude. Put some pleasant music on while you prepare, it helps sets the mood. If the wife/mother of the house has a grumpy mood and a beautifully set table, I dare to say the mood will be remembered more than anything.

Olivia bought this silverware at a yard sale.

You don’t have to have matching dishes or every piece of silverware and glasses. Keep your eye out at yard sales and thrift stores and start building your resource of tableware. See if there is a grandmother or aunt who has dishes she is not using and would be willing to let you have. I bought my charger plates (gold plates above) after the Christmas season on clearance really cheap. Start out small and let it grow.

Most of my dishes are white or glass, this way they will go with any season or holiday, all it takes is a change in table cloth or napkins. Someday I want a goldish yellow or deep red plates.

Table cloths are another thing that is so simple to add and make such a difference. I buy all of mine at yard sales and thrift stores really cheap; I’ve gotten great deals! Because I have quite a collection of table cloths it is not a big deal if something gets spilled on them; usually a squirt of Dawn or stain remover will take care of it. It’s really not a big deal to throw a table cloth in the washer every few days.

I have posted on our bulletin board a diagram of how to set the table properly. This makes for a quick reference when you can’t remember what side to place the napkin, etc…

If the thought of making a big deal of your table time overwhelms you, try implementing one new thing each week; maybe start with cloth napkins.

It is important that your children know table etiquette, not only for peace and order at YOUR table, but also so they know how to conduct themselves publicly. Good table manners are all about loving your neighbor.

Make the table a place of priority, you will not regret it.