Day 22. KISS: Setting the Table
This is a short and simple post today.
Setting the table early in the day, when you’re planning a dinner party, does a few things for you.
– Makes you feel organized and ready to go
– Gets you excited for the evening ahead
– Keeps you focused every time you look over to an already set table
– Makes your guests feel more confident as they walk into your house and see an already set table
Keep it simple, sister (KISS). Don’t let the table stress you out and ruin your day. Set it, and then move on to what is next on your list to accomplish.
Sometimes the simpler the better for a table setting. Simple reminds us that our priorities need to be in line and our focus on the guests. Having that mindset keeps us grounded and helps us fight perfectionism. And don’t worry if you forget a glass or you’re short a knife or fork (like a reader pointed out in this post, which is fine, because I do remember that dinner when my husband didn’t have a fork), because you’ll soon figure it out. No need to stress!
Simple white, and simple flowers from my friend Jeannie’s yard worked for me!
Are you a “last-minute” table setter or do you get it done earlier in the day when you entertain?
Join my 31-Day sisters …
Chatting at the Sky, Nesting Place, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, My First Kitchen, Life With My 3 Boybarians, Remodeling This Life, The Inspired Room
Don’t forget Emily is writing about “simplicity” on her blog. And I love Jen’s post today on Beauty and Bedlam, where she shares about opening your cabinets and using your best dishes … you have to read this one, too! Thanks, Ladies!
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I ALWAYS set the table ahead of time, in fact I usually have the tablescape planned well in advance. I LOVE tablscaping and playing in the dishes so this is a real treat for me….and my guests always enjoy seeing what I ahve come up with!
I usually don’t set it ahead of time. As much as I try when we have company, on the inside I still panic. Although I also have stopped worrying about things not going perfect. Not sure how I manage to do both of those at the same time, but I do! I grew up in a home where we rarely had company-hubby grew up in a home where they often had company. I still get panicky, even if I’m prepared.
That being said, I just want to add-what a lovely vase of flowers!
Great post. I sometimes set the table the day before.. that way I can make adjustments if needed. And then drape a clean sheet over everything. That way the last minute vacuuming or dusting doesn’t get onto the table..
I’m not having a dinner party, but yesterday my daughter and I cut a few of the last zinnias from our yard and put them in a pint jar on the kitchen table. It’s small enough not to be in the way and we smile every time we see it!
I admit we tend to last minute table setters, mainly the same reason as Kristen said above. We use our table for everything! Our girls do school at it, etc…in our next phase we will actually have an island that will function as a “table” and so that might make it more doable, unless of course I’m using the island for prep. Either way, sometimes I set it ahead of time, and sometimes it’s last minute. I’m okay with either. Other times, everything is lined up on the kitchen counters and we do buffet style.
I agree! :) My mom would do it the night before and I still like to do it that way. I feel like I am way ahead of the game on the “day of”. My children love to set the table when putting away the dishes from the dishwasher. They have figured out that it kills two bird with one stone! YAY! Thank you, Sandy for all of your extra tips. Am LOVING your series. Happy Happy Friday.
GREAT TIP… and I always leave this til last.
The table is always set before guest arrive, unless it’s my dad ;P. Cant believe you are on day 22 already. You are so talented! What a blessing you are to so many! LuvYA Lady!Sheila
My mother in law taught me by example to set the table the day before and have all of that “off your plate” so to speak so you can concentrate on your meal and have enough left over to concentrate on your guests. That way I can even enjoy setting the table and try different things and even be inspired through out the day that everything is going well when I pass by my already completed pretty table setting!
I’m curious: Does everyone have a separate dining room? If not, how do you set up early? We don’t, so it seems impossible to set the table ahead of time because my family needs the kitchen table for breakfast, lunch, homework, crafts, etc. before dinner. We even need it for meal prep due to lack of counter space. But if someone else has a solution, I’m all ears! :-)
Hi Kristen, my dining room is part of my kitchen, and I have enough counter space to work with, but for my first few years of marriage it was just a nook. Very small kitchen/dining area. Buffet-style works great, too! Set the food out on the kitchen table and let everyone dish up their own plate. I’m sticking to a more “sit-down-dinner” with this series. I explore a lot of options in my new book though! :)
Thanks, Sandy! Love this series and your advice!
My dad taught us how to set the table properly at a young age. I am glad I learned, the silverware can get confusing. Just ask Julia Roberts on Pretty Woman..ha!
lol! I first thought by reading the title to this post that you were going to say “kiss setting the table – goodbye – and just go buffet style”.
No, you’re right. Keeping it simple is really the way to go. I’ve done it (set the table) the night before, early in the day (can’t do that anymore or my 3 and 2 year old will CLEAR the table before we even start – accumulating to stress) and then truly going ALL buffet style… where I’ll be known to pull the silverware drawer open for guests to get their own, as well as their own glasses out of the cupboard.
I guess, it depends who I’m having over as to my comfortable level.
I just want to add this as a comment regarding a previous post you did about the hostess feeling comfortable. I think that says a lot about how our guests will feel. IF the host and hostess are at ease, comfortable and “not always apologizing” – the guests will immediately follow suit.
I really have been enjoying this series, Sandy. Thank you so much…
I usually set my table early in the day. I find that if I don’t, I’ll use something that I wanted on the table and then it will be dirty or in the dishwasher!
Thank you for the email and for checking out my blog. We do have a Mars Hill Church of Christ right beside my son’s school. Mars Hill is a private church based school. The founder of the school was a very religious man and the school was established on great morals. We are so blessed to be able to afford for our son to go to such a school with great principles. If you read this early enough, watch the Today Show at 10:00. The Show Choir he is a part of made the top 4 in a competition on the Today Show. The winner will be announced this morning.
Judy :)
I always set it ahead of time…last week was an exception, our daughter and son-in-law were coming with our 4 grandchildren and I waited to see if she wanted the children to sit at our bar in the kitchen…we were at the kitchen table (where we could all fit including the kids)…that little pause on my part caused a huge bottleneck for dinner (hamburgers and hot dogs) when I left the table setting to my husband…I won’t make that mistake again. It is best if I just go with my gut and make all the decisions and just get it done then everyone can relax…especially me, and we can have a great time!
Sometimes, I even do it the night before if we’re having company over after church!
I agree! I love looking at a fully set table… it’s a great mental image of the culmination of all that you’re planning. It’s kinda like the finish line.