I spoke to a group of my friends about planning ahead for entertaining. One easy way to take some stress off is to set the table ahead of time. Years ago a kind older lady gave me this tip and I have used it each time I’ve had guests.
Set your complete table the day before you will be entertaining. Lay out your serving dishes on the sideboard, also. Take new and clean clear shower curtains or other clear plastic sheeting and lay it over the settings and dishes. Keeps dirt and dust off and then you merely remove right before the guests arrive.
Incidentally, if you have eager young table setters, a cute way to have them remember where the silverware is to be placed on the table is thus:
Spoon and Knife….5 letters same as RIGHT
Fork…4 letters same as LEFT.
I hope that the youth of the world will be interested in good table settings. It is a nicety that we should all revisit in the civilized world.
Best Table Wishes,
The Lady Hooper-Brackett
The Lady Hooper-Brackett 