Setting a table for a themed event—whether it’s a holiday or a birthday dinner—is your chance to up the ante a bit. While pros agree there is indeed a rhyme and reason to setting this kind of table, practicality is just one component of the process. “A themed table is about more than matching plates or patterned napkins,” says Beth Helmstetter, the founder and creative director of Beth Helmstetter Events. “It’s an opportunity to tell a story, one that makes guests smile before the first course is even served.” Regardless of the time of year or specific occasion, a few constants remain: “The best themes borrow from nature, seasonality, and texture,” Helmstetter says. “They balance imagination with intention and feel like an extension of the celebration itself—warm, thoughtful, and a little bit magical.”
Don’t underestimate the significance of a centerpiece when setting this type of table. “This is where your theme truly comes to life,” Helmstetter says. The items that you display can be sourced affordably and are oftentimes found in nature. A Thanksgiving centerpiece, Helmstetter explains, may consist of an arrangement of pears, pomegranates, and persimmons placed in bowls alongside candles. Evergreen trimmings, citrus, pinecones, and ornaments can help to make up a winter centerpiece. As always, be sure that your centerpiece does not interfere with guests’ ability to look at one another while conversing.
The following steps will ensure that your next themed event is a total hit.
• A tablecloth or runner
• Chargers (optional)
• Dinner plates, salad plates, and dessert plates
• Forks, knives, and spoons
• Napkins
• Decorative accents for flatware and napkin display and centerpiece
Step 1: Lay out your tablecloth or runner
Whether you use a tablecloth or runner on your dinner table is up to you. When it comes to linens, Helmstetter will often let the season dictate her exact choice. “For fall or Thanksgiving, try tactile linens or custom hand-painted paper that brings a rustic, yet artisanal edge,” she says. “Winter calls for rich velvets, bouclés, or even soft faux furs layered beneath candles and glassware.” During the warmer weather months, go lighter with linen or woven textiles. “Choose one foundation fabric that speaks to the season and theme at large,” Helmstetter adds. “It’s the quickest way to make your theme feel intentional.”
Step 2: Set out your plates
You can use a charger if you wish, but at minimum, place your dinner plate with a salad or dessert plate on top. The type of servingware you use will vary depending on the gathering. “Play with materials and tones that fit your theme,” Helmstetter says, adding that sticking to a general color palette works nicely. “A little variation in shade or texture makes the table feel collected, not styled,” she explains.
Step 3: Place your flatware
After setting your fork to the left of the plate and your knife and spoon to the right, don’t be afraid to add a bit of additional detail—Helmstetter again recommends thinking seasonal. “Perhaps a sprig of rosemary tied with twine, a silk ribbon in a tone pulled from your flowers, or a tiny charm that hints at the theme,” she says.
Step 4: Set water and wine glasses on the top right
At minimum, outfit each place setting with a water glass and wine glass. Look to your specific theme to select appropriate colors for each. “Amber goblets glow beautifully at Thanksgiving, crystal coupes feel festive at New Year’s, and pressed-glass tumblers bring charm to a garden party,” Helmstetter says.
Step 5: Place napkins on the plates or under the forks
Rest a napkin on top of, underneath, or beside each plate. “Your napkin moment is where guests feel the theme up close,” Helmstetter says. Given that themed dinners may range in formality, the approach you take with your napkin display will vary. “Fold or drape each one in a way that matches the mood, either structured and symmetrical for formal dinners, or soft and unstudied for casual gatherings,” Helmstetter advises. Once again, supplement the setup with some added details—“Perhaps a hand-painted tag or charm for birthdays, or a small seashell, citrus slice, or flower stem for warm-weather tables,” she recommends. “These little touches—tactile, thoughtful, and unexpected—turn a beautiful table into an experience that feels personal.”
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have a few lingering concerns when it comes to setting tables? Consider the following frequently asked questions.
Where do napkins go once a table is set?
Napkin placement varies depending on whether you’re setting a formal table versus one designed for casual or everyday use. When setting a formal table, place your napkin in the middle of your plate stack. In the case of a casual or everyday table, your napkin can go either in this same location or beneath the fork.
What do you need to set a table?
To properly set a table, you will need a table cloth or table runner, a place mat, dinner plates, napkins, silverware (forks, knives, and spoons), water glasses, and wine glasses. In the case of a formal dinner table, you may also wish to include a place card. Then, finish off the look with a decorative centerpiece.
How do you incorporate centerpieces on a table?
A centerpiece should go in the middle of the table, so long as it does not block guests’ view of one another. You can get creative with your centerpieces and embellish them with foliage, fruits, or vegetables for some added decorative flair.
How many forks should you use to set a table?
The amount of forks used depends on whether you’re setting a formal dinner table or one that is more casual or for everyday use. Formal tables should feature dinner forks as well as salad forks. Salad forks are optional in the case of casual and everyday tables.
