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| Five Fabulous Ways to Top Your Holiday Table |
(ARA) - Entertaining friends and family can put anyone in a stressful mood, especially around the holidays. Oftentimes, the importance of a nicely set table is a forgotten factor in the evening's agenda. But setting a lively table does more than supply your guests with a place to eat; it sets the mood and develops the atmosphere of the gathering, as well as giving your guests an added topic of conversation throughout dinner. ELECTRASOL and JET DRY dishware experts offer the following five tips that will help you create a warm inviting environment for any special occasion. 1. Building a Table from the Bottom Up Preparing your table for the decor to come means utilizing a tablecloth or place mats as a base for other items. If you have an especially beautiful table, you may want to consider using place mats, but be sure they are heat proof. If your table surface needs to be protected or is already damaged, a tablecloth is your best option. The cloth should be big enough to drape six inches over each side of the table. Some tablecloths require a heatproof protective mat laid underneath to prevent spills from penetrating through to the table surface. 2. Divine Dishware Nothing looks more impressive on a table than gleaming crystal, china and silverware. Setting these provisions several days early cuts down on last-minute stress and offers you a chance to thoroughly clean and polish your dishware. For dishwasher safe items, ELECTRASOL automatic dishwashing detergent is the best way to achieve sparkling clean dishes, silverware and glassware. Using a rinse agent, such as JET DRY, ensures sparkling results. JET-DRY starts working after your detergent has stopped to prevent spots and residue from depositing on your dishes and glasses in the rinse cycle. It also prevents new film build-up and helps items dry faster to a clean, shiny appearance that will suit any table setting. "Because newer energy-efficient dishwashers tend to have less hot water temperatures and shorter drying times, a rinse agent like JET DRY is particularly valuable in maintaining sparkling table settings," say automatic dishwashing experts. 3. Proper Tablesetting Now that your dishware is sparkling, placing it on the table properly is imperative. Even the most experienced hosts can use a refresher course. - Forks are placed to the left of the plate and spoons and knives on the right, with the knife blade placed toward the plate. If there are additional utensils, they should be placed in the order in which they will be used. Side plates always go to the left of the place setting. - Water goblets should be placed at the tip of the main-course knife. If there is more than one glass, arrange them in the order in which they'll be used, outermost first. - If you are using napkins with a fancy fold, they go on top of the main plate. Otherwise, they can be placed on the side plate or to one side of the glasses. 4. Centralize your Setting Now that the necessities of your table are set, it's time to get creative with an attractive and alluring centerpiece. For a year-round centerpiece, flowers are always appealing. Using flowers with similar hues will make the arrangement more cohesive. For a seasonal centerpiece, put tables in the autumn spirit by using a hollowed-out pumpkin for your floral display, instead of a vase. By placing garland, pinecones and cranberries around the base of a vase, you can achieve a festive, winter appearance. When deciding on a centerpiece, be sure to keep it small if your table space is limited, and be sure to leave room for serving platters and condiments. 5. Give Your Table a Glow Candles are an easy way to give your table a calm and approachable appeal. To create the best lighting, use both low votive candles and high taper candles. These heights combine to create an even glow that will illuminate your guests and your food in the most flattering light. A collection of candles can also be used for a serene centerpiece, and lining votive candles down the center will light your entire table aglow. When applying candles to your table setting, avoid using scented candles that might interfere with the food's aroma and taste. Also, be sure that any centerpiece you choose does not make it impossible for guests to see or speak with one another. Odds and Ends Equal a Successful Gathering Easy additions are often the ones that are noticed the most. Scattering leaves or festive confetti across the table adds even more sparkle to the occasion. One last but important tip is to use place cards on your table if you're entertaining friends who may be unfamiliar with each other. These can alleviate awkward moments when guests seat themselves and ward off potential problems. Simply fold an unlined index card in half and apply the name in calligraphy. Even though you don't always have time to pay attention to these minor details, it's a safe bet your guests will. So impress your partygoers with these easy yet effective tips for a tabletop that will top the entertaining charts. For more information on ELECTROSOL and JET DRY, call (800) 284-2023. EDITOR'S NOTES: ELECTRASOL and JET-DRY are registered trademarks of Reckitt Benckiser. Copyright
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