Everyone knows that the design of the table for various holidays is subject to certain rules. In addition, a beautiful table will underscore the respect for the guests and the delicate taste of the hostess.
The design of the table depends on the occasion, the time of dayand served meals and is designed to provide presenters a pleasant and convenient pastime. Next, we'll look at how the table should be laid out for the holiday, what accessories are needed for this.
Historical facts
The history of the process of serving the table beginsabout two and a half thousand years ago. In those ancient times, the Romans and Greeks often arranged solemn meals, characterized by splendor and luxury. The tables were decorated with garlands and bouquets of fresh flowers, and the dishes were served on trays. Well-off people used ceramic or glass dishes, decorated with paintings, poor people - clay. Spoons were used rarely - ate, dipping bread into pieces of bread.
In Europe, the development of table layout artare associated with the reign of Charlemagne, who lived from 744 to 814 years. He liked to arrange luxurious receptions - the halls were magnificently decorated with expensive carpets, and the table laying for the holiday included gold and silver utensils for dishes. During the feast the guests and the king were entertained by dancers, musicians and readers.
In the XVII century, the art of table laying received a new impetus, after which a wide variety of cutlery, glassware and porcelain dishes, sets were widely used.
Basic Requirements for Serving
Serving the table for the holiday is used to make the table look beautiful, attract attention and be comfortable.
To do this, you must adhere to a few simple requirements:
- On the table must be presentflawlessly ironed tablecloth. If the table is rectangular, then the coating should be taken half a meter longer than the countertop, if with rounded edges - a meter more than its diameter. In any case, the edges should hang over 30-50 cm. For especially solemn occasions, a white color is chosen, and in others any pastel tones are suitable. Ideal - the shade and texture of the cover is combined with the style of the room.
- Cutlery and dishes should be from the same set, ideally washed and rubbed to shine with a special cloth, stains, opacities and stains are unacceptable.
- Serving a festive table at homeprovides for an independent decoration of the table. Therefore, you need to take care of napkins - they should be clean, ironed and conform to the general style. A special charm is given to the table by napkins folded in a certain way - different design techniques are tried beforehand.
- To make the table and the general setting cozy use decoration with various items - candles or souvenir details.
- Bottles with alcoholic drinks are placed on the table already uncorked.
Basic rules of registration
After the table is set, and the tableclothbed, set to serving. It should be remembered that the sequence of actions is as follows: the dishes from which they eat are placed on the table first, then - cutlery, containers for drinks - last.
The rules for serving the table dictate the following arrangement of cutlery and the placement of dishes:
- the napkin spreads on the location of the plates;
- the first on a napkin put a small dining-room plate (if you plan to change dishes) so that the edge of the table is a distance of three centimeters;
- then on top there is a snack plate having a slightly smaller size;
- a plate for bread - a pie - put on the left in ten centimeters from the diner;
- cutlery is laid out as follows: on the right - knives with a cutting side to the plate and a spoon with a convex part down, to the left - prongs with prongs up, from above - a dessert spoon with a handle to the right;
- then it should be put in one line: on the right - a glass for wine, on the left - a glass for water;
- if there are several drinks, two rows of dishes for them are allowed.
Objects are placed so that there is a distance of one centimeter between them.
When choosing a dining room plates take into account the type of food served - for cream soup or broth put pialas, for thick soup or borsch - a deep plate.
Table napkins
In addition to that napkins are essentialattribute of decoration and table layout for the holiday, they can also serve as its original decoration - for this they are beautifully folded. The basic rule is that the accessory should quickly unfold and be located in an accessible location. Traditionally, before the feast begins, a napkin is placed on top of the plates.
For solemn events use textilenapkins decorated with embroidery, braid, lace and fastened with special accessories in the form of figures or flowers. They are used to protect themselves from debris by holding them on their laps. Hands and mouth wipe paper napkins, which are placed on the table in glasses, stands or holders.
The easiest way to fold is the pocket into which the cutlery is placed. More complex methods assume the design in the form of a Christmas tree, a flower, a complex figure.
But the main thing that needs to be taken into account is that tissue wipes must be starched, so they will better retain their shape and wash away from dirt.
Table setting for breakfast
The rules for serving the table at home to various meals that do not provide for a solemn atmosphere are dictated by simpler conditions.
For breakfast, you can make a table as follows:
- arrange snack plates;
- at a distance put glasses and cups;
- put a teaspoon on a small saucer;
- put a deep dish for porridge on the snack plate;
- then on top to establish a support for eggs, and next - a special spoon for their eating;
- In the middle of the table there is a kettle or coffee pot with a drink and sandwiches on a flat dish;
- if they serve honey or jam, they prepare a saucer for them.
Table setting for lunch and dinner
The rules for serving the table for dinner include several methods, depending on the number of meals served.
In general, the table is drawn as follows:
- cover the tablecloth;
- first put a small plate;
- on top - deep, intended for the first dish;
- on the previous one - a snack plate for salads;
- to the left of the plates have a fork, and on the right - closer to the plates - a knife, next - a soup spoon;
- on top of the plates put a napkin;
- in the availability of set containers with seasonings - salt, pepper, spices;
- left and right, respectively, have a glass for water and a wine glass;
- table setting can be supplemented with fresh flowers;
- for the supply of oil use special containers;
- the hot first dish is served in a closed soup tureen.
The design of the table for dinner is no different from dining preparation, with the only difference that the table is not placed a deep plate and do not put a spoon for the first dishes.
Design of children's table
Serving the table for a children's holiday has its own characteristics: the situation should be interesting, fun and attractive. And most importantly - safe.
Therefore, you need to follow certain rules:
- Do not use fragile or beating dishes, it is better to use special children's accessories;
- cutlery should not be sharp;
- all meals should be served in separate containers;
- The menu needs to be calculated so that the food does not have to be cut;
- dishes should be decorated colorfully and attractively;
- the tablecloth is chosen bright and not very long, so that it can not be pulled off the table, or it is fixed;
- the ideal option is a one-time coating;
- napkins fit paper, folded into funny figures;
- to decorate the table you can use sweets, fruits, balls.
Table setting for a banquet
In people's lives from time to time there aresolemn events - weddings, anniversaries, appointments to positions of responsibility. In these situations, they arrange banquets or receptions in specially designated rooms. Serving the table for the holiday, napkins and other accessories are prepared by the staff, and the dishes are served by the waiters.
The attributes of a festive banquet are:
- decorations in the form of compositions of balls or flowers, bows and the original drapery of textiles);
- entertaining elements for guests (performances of artists, live music - modern or classical, the leader of the holiday);
- lavishly decorated table and large chairs.
The main requirements for table layout are:
- Long or separate tables, covered with snow-white starched tablecloths and large napkins in tone;
- first place small plates at a distance of sixty centimeters from each other in the number of guests, put on the top diners, on the left - pirozhkovye;
- To the right of the plates there is a table, fish and snack knives and a tablespoon, and to the left - forks: a dining room, a fish and two snackbars;
- dessert instruments - a knife, spoon and fork - put on top of the plate;
- right there are glasses, glasses and glasses;
- beautifully folded napkins - on top on plates;
- along the table in the middle - vases with flowers and fruits, containers with spices.
Table setting for tea
Tea drinking is a special ceremony, which shouldtake place in an atmosphere of home comfort. The basic requirements for serving do not differ from those described above, but several recommendations will help to make the situation more comfortable.
They are as follows:
- The style and color of the tea set should match the shade and texture of the tablecloth;
- on the table is desirable the presence of a small bouquet of fresh flowers;
- for a traditional tea party on a separate table have a samovar;
- in the milkman on the table a milk or cream is put on a small plate;
- served on a platter sliced in portions cake or pie, in sweets - sweets and fruits, in kremankah - berries;
- a tea cup is placed on a saucer, there is also placed a teaspoon;
- In the middle of the table have a sugar bowl with special tongs.
Serving of a buffet table
Cocktail reception is an official event thatis held on receptions, presentations, meetings. On it, as a rule, there are many people and do not sit at tables. The event lasts no more than two hours and provides active communication of those present. Serving the table for the holiday with a buffet table has its own characteristics.
They are as follows:
- tables are arranged so as not to interfere with the free movement of people, and covered with white tablecloths;
- The menu includes light snacks, salads, sandwiches and sandwiches;
- alcoholic beverages - wines and champagne;
- on special stands have sets of dishes and cutlery;
- glasses and wine glasses put at the end of the table, napkins in holders - evenly along the entire length;
- tables decorate with fruit, the hall with flowers;
- bottles with alcohol uncorked and put on the table, and juices and water poured into glasses or glasses.
Use of candlesticks
Decoration of table laying for the holiday inhome conditions can be candles - their burning will create an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and romance. It must be remembered that the main lighting of the table should also be present.
For installation in candlesticks are traditionally chosenwhite candles, but if decided to take a color, then their shade should match the design of the table. Candlesticks can be decorated with flowers, boutonnieres or ribbons, and in the New Year or Christmas - with spruce branches. The material of their manufacture - metal, ceramics, porcelain or glass - must also correspond to the general style and utensils.
It is believed that if you hold candles in the fridge for several hours before the holiday, they will burn longer.
Beautiful table layout: ideas
Festively decorated table will make any event pleasant. But to the traditional serving, you can add some little things - they are able to bring a special charm and originality to the atmosphere.
Designers offer the following ideas:
- the table top can be decorated by laying on top of the tablecloth another, smaller size, or a fabric strip of contrasting color;
- The decoration of the table and napkins can serve as live flowers or herbs;
- in the spring on the utensils it is possible to attach ornaments in the form of ladybirds, dragonflies or other insects;
- if the table is prepared for a romantic dinner, small candles are placed in containers with a small amount of water, the space around them is decorated with rose petals and large rhinestones.
The theory and practice of table laying provide for the conformity of the design with the subject or theme of the celebration.
In special cases, a card with the initials of the guest, decorated with a buttonhole, is placed in each place.
Christmas or New Year's feast of swipecan be decorated with snowflakes, cones, and on the table stand figures of snowmen or Santa Claus, spruce twigs and fur-tree toys. Aroma of needles will help to provide special sprays.
Skillfully approaching the preparation of the celebration, you can not just feed the guests with deliciously prepared dishes, but also make the celebration amazing and memorable.
