When growing up in a middle-class family in a small farming town in South Texas you aren’t always initiated into the world of formal dining and etiquette. You are taught good manners like using a napkin, chewing with your mouth closed, no elbows on the table, cleaning your plate and no slurping drinks, soup or cereal. And one I learned the hard way – no knees showing at the table – I always ate with my feet off the floor and in my chair.
Once in high school and active in home economics classes and Future Homemakers of America (yes, I’m older than I look – it was the 60s) I became acquainted with more refined aspects of dining – formal dining with elegant and casual place settings. Emily Post’s book published in 1922 entitled, “Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home” and Amy Vanderbilt’s 1952 best seller “The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette – A Guide to Contemporary Living” generally provided education on the finer aspects of living with good manners and using proper etiquette tips.
I’ve only been to a couple of formal dinners where most of the pieces shown in the photo were used. Imagine hand washing all that silverware, china and crystal glassware! Even at formal weddings or elegant restaurants, about half of those pieces are used in a formal setting. Nowadays, we tend to be a little less formal. However, “Real Simple home editor Stephanie Sisco says the biggest difference between a casual table and a formal table is the use of chargers, also known as presentation plates. Traditionally, formal place settings also tend to forgo place mats, but she says you can opt to use a round place mat underneath a charger for an even more formal look.”
I thought since this is the October issue, you readers would enjoy seeing some fun, attractive tables set for a Halloween event. I especially like the gold, orange and purple place setting!