‘Georgie, can you please set the table?’

For most regular children this would be a drag. A moan, a mutter under the breath, knives and forks haphazardly splayed in an informal fashion in the roundabout correct position and a serviette holder plonked in the middle of the table at record speed. Not to mention a distraction from playing outside, watching TV or throwing your beloved cat off the roof to see if they really do always land on their feet… Overshare?

However not for me. My awesome Mum insisted we always had dinner at the dining table every night. There were pretty placemats, stunning flatware, beautiful cutlery, linen napkins and personalised napkin rings – always napkin rings. I used to love setting the table – making sure everything lined up perfectly and doing my own interpretation of the way things ‘should’ look.

The love for placing things on a table in a fashion to create a particular atmosphere – like serving the meal on share platters for new acquaintances so the act of sharing food creates instant rapport – to positioning a place card to bring about a feeling of importance and formality to a setting. And setting  it correctly says ‘I care, you are important to me and this meal and our time together is precious’. So if you would like to know, this (above) is how to do it ‘right’. That said, do it your way, enjoy the process. Especially for you Bridey – have fun with your placecard placement and what you use as a nametag, use a tumbler as a wine glass, make it all your own.