Decorative dinner party settings create the mood for the party. When setting your table, set it up in the way that you want people to sit. Glasses should be next to plates, and the settings should be directly in front of each chair. Only put out utensils and plates that will actually be used during dinner service. Always set up your silverware in the order in which courses will be served. Does this Spark an idea?
Southern Influence
For a feeling of the South, bring out clear, crystal glasses for both water, wine and/or champagne. Use gold or silver dinner plates with simple designs. Fruit or simple flowers work well with this theme. Tablecloths should be a simple color (white or off-white) so it doesn't clash with the plates. Use real silver with a high shine. For a traditional setup, always have the soup spoon and knife on the right and the fork and napkin on the left. Use napkin holders that match the color of the plates. For example, for gold place settings, look for gold napkin holders with maybe dogwood flowers. Follow the Southern theme throughout with magnolia decorations on after-dinner tea and coffee cups and teapot.
For a specific area theme, such as New Orleans, use red or white plates with relevant designs such as crawfish. Or use solid purple, green and gold plates mixed and matched for a Mardi Gras theme. Gold or purple wine glasses will also go with this theme. Napkins can pick up whatever color is missing from the plates. For example, if you use a gold dinner plate and a green salad plate, use a purple napkin to finish the theme. Use Mardi Gras beads for napkin holders.
Children's Dinner Parties
A children's dinner party is the time to be a little silly with your choices: pink or purple china for girls and deep blue or green for boys. Tablecloths should be a solid, light color such as white so as not to take away from the plate color. Always use sterling silver even during a party for children. Use polka dotted water glasses that mimic the colors of the dinner wear--real glass for older children and plastic cups for younger children. Dessert plates can be one color while the dinner plates, another. Use brightly colored napkins, and use napkin holders that have dangling flowers or plastic jewels for girls. For boys, use camouflage or solid-colored napkin holders depending on the colors of the plates.
Asian Theme
An Asian-themed dinner party is the time for deep, rich colors. Use colored chopsticks, for example, deep red to maroon chopsticks. Only bring out silverware for those who cannot use the chopsticks and try to find silverware with bamboo handles for a more authentic look. The plates in traditional colors of the respective countries should be pinks, purples and whites for Japanese and reds, whites and possibly golds for Chinese themes. Use bamboo placemats against solid-colored tablecloths. For example, deep red tablecloths would work best for a Chinese dinner theme with gold dinner plates, lighter red salad plates and white dessert plates or bowls. Use square plates, for added visual interest, or use a bamboo-porcelain tray combo with three sections to keep foods separated. For serving the Japanese saki (also spelled sake), put out glasses decorated with tree and flower themes; these glasses can also be used for water glasses. Use red wine glasses. Serve tea in traditional short Japanese pots (these tend to be smaller and flatter than English teapots) with traditional teacups (these have no handles and are picked up by cupping the sides).
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