09/08/2025
We have a whole new shipment of serve ware in the shop. Part of the holidays is entertaining. I know it might be a little early to be thinking about dinner parties and large family indoor gatherings but it is never to early to clean them or get them into a labeled and easy to access place. Instead of repurposing the fruit bowl for chips and dips and a random drink glass for a silverware caddy take some time now while yard sales and thrift shopping are still on your mind to find vessels that match your collection. In the week or two ahead while you are digging out Halloween and Fall decor also look at your serve ware. Look at your pieces and go through meals in your mind. What do you still need and in what style. Weather the style is fantasy banquet hall like me or French Country like my best friend now is the time to start rounding out your collection to make the "perfect" table. Make your list like you make your menus and your shopping lists. As you go to yard sales, thrift shops or even as your friends start to purge look for cheaper ways to finish your collection.
Basic list of questions to answer
How many people do you typically serve
How "up scale" or "laid back" is your gatherings typically. Laid back does not need to lack style.
Now the basic list of serve ware is Large bowels, appetizer dish/es, serving flatware, center piece dish, dessert dish or cake stand and the caddies.
The evolving list
Cheese board, chip and dip set, appetizer plates, smaller serving bowls, full set of serving utensils, salad bowls with tongs (not the summer one) platters, large pasta bowl, styled baking dish, tiered cake or dessert stand, styled pie plate, cake serving set, trifle or layered dessert bowl, ice bucket, water or drink pitchers, cream and sugar set, lemon or hot drink tray, bar tool set, punch bowl/set.
At the same time matching linens and napkin rings are always a great way to step you your style.
I will never forget the first time I had a table cloth on the table and my mothers eyes rose for Thanksgiving. She had never set a fancy table and I was determined to set a fancy table. 20 years later I can totally pull it off. You tube is your friend in this field but there are still places like Northwest cullinary school that offer table setting and ettiquet classes not part of their program. Martha Stuart used to run a yearly "table set" article, and I am sure Joana Gaines does something similar. Use these and impress your in laws, friends and even just your D&D Group but this really is a life skill that you will end up using over and over again.
