The Christmas season is always a twister, right? And as a host, you have lists, of lists and a lot of them. You're probably imagining beautiful evergreen runners, perhaps some whimsically placed pinecones, and the perfectly warm glow of beautiful candles. So much energy is poured into what we picture as the perfect centerpiece, as if that were the one thing that could make the table.
Well, we’re going to spill a little secret here.
Your centerpiece will be definitely admired, but it will never be touched. The true "napkin, wine and cheese, this is a special occasion" item at your table is the item your guests will be holding in their hands all night: your flatware.
Think about it. It's the only item on your table that is inherently interactive. It's the thing connecting your guests to the memorable family meal you spent days planning. While eating, it is the knife, balance of a fork, or smooth bowl of a spoon, this is the only touch point where your guests will experience and feel. A properly designed, good quality flatware setting is a silent welcome and makes all the difference.
Why Your Forks and Knives Outshine Your Flowers
It sounds dramatic, but it's true. The feeling of your table is set the moment a guest picks up their napkin and their fork.
- It’s a Handshake. A flimsy, lightweight fork just feels like an afterthought. A knife and fork that have a pleasing heft in the hand feel substantial. A small signal (but nonetheless subconscious) that you are particular about quality and that the meal to follow will be equally exacting.
- It Shows You're Expecting Them. This is a big one. A jumbled pile of forks and knives at the end of a buffet line just says "here's the stuff you need to eat." But a nice and neat row of flatware at each chair says, "I’ve prepared a place just for you." It is true personal and genuine hospitality.
- It Frames the Whole Meal. Your flatware is the frame. A masterpiece hanging in a cheap frame looks 'off', that's the same feeling when serving an amazing meal in beautiful china with mediocre quality utensils. A beautiful, properly arranged flatware will frame the plate, give an elegant border and just look complete and pulled-together.
This holiday season looks beyond the table center. The single most effective technique to upgrade your meal from dinner to a memorable experience is mastering the place setting.
A Simple, No-Fuss Guide to Place Settings
If your silverware is the secret, how you lay it out is the answer. Don't stress! We're not using arbitrary, antiquated rules. This is all easy logic.
The only simple rule you need to remember is: Your guest will work from the outside in. When it's time for the first course, the utensil for that course will be placed on the very outside and your guest will then work their way in. Simple!
The Anatomy of a Formal Christmas Setting
This is the setting for that big, multi-course holiday feast.
- The Foundation: Start with your dinner plate in the center.
- Forks (To the Left):
- Dinner Fork: Positioned immediately adjacent to the plate.
- Salad Fork: Positioned to the left of the dinner fork. (Because in a formal meal, the salad is usually the first course).
- Knives & Spoons (To the Right):
- Dinner Knife: It goes immediately to the right of the plate. Pro tip: blade always faces the plate. It’s old school etiquette and honestly looks more classy and polite.
- Soup Spoon: Goes to the right of the dinner knife.
- Dessert Utensils (Horizontally Above):
- The touch is quite elegant indeed. The dessert spoon (or fork) rests horizontally on top of the plate.
- The Rule: the spoon handle points to the right; the fork handle (if using a fork) points to the left.
- The Finishing Touches:
- Bread Plate & Butter Knife: Positioned at the "10 o'clock" location, above the forks.
- Glassware: Positioned at the "2 o'clock" location, above your knife.
But What About Your Christmas?
Look, not every Christmas dinner has five courses. An elegant table is one that's appropriate for the meal you're serving.
- For a "Regular" (But Special!) Dinner: Serving only a main and dessert? You need only a dinner fork (left), a dinner knife (right), and a napkin. You can either set the dessert utensils above the plate to begin with or, my preferred way, bring them out with the pie and coffee. It feels like a little "surprise".
- For a Christmas Brunch: A dinner fork, dinner knife, and a table spoon to the right for coffee or fruit. The beauty will be in the quality of the flatware, not how many pieces there are.
- For a Festive Buffet: Roll a complete flatware set (fork, knife, spoon) in a pretty linen napkin. Tie it with a velvet ribbon or a simple sprig of rosemary. Put the bundles in an elegant basket or one of our wooden trays with handles. Practical, and then the look makes it feel super special.
Choosing the Flatware That Sets the Christmas Mood
Your choice of flatware truly establishes the "tone" of your table. Is it classic and warm? Is it modern and dramatic? Is it glamorous and festive?
The Modern Rustic Look
If your style on Christmas is more about modern farmhouse than gilded glam, this is the perfect flatware. Instead of high-shine, you're opting for texture, character, and the real feel of forged steel. It feels industrial, yet incredibly warm.
- The Jason Rustic Nascent Steel Flatware is our recommendation. 18/8 stainless steel is hand-forged with a subtle hammered texture and sleek squared-off handles that are substantial in the hand and feel modern. This is an "urban industrial" design while remaining elegant for that special occasion.
- How to Style: Pair rustic-style flatware with natural materials, it looks beautiful with stoneware plates, linen napkins, and a bare wooden table or simple runner. Use rustic flatware to counterbalance contemporary elements to substantive traditional tables.
Black Flatware
If your style for the holidays is a little warmer, more traditional, and a bit more artisanal, copper is a beautiful and unexpected choice. Candles make it glow beautifully and feel extra festive. Warm and rosy, copper provides a rich and rustic beauty that traditional silver just cannot offer.
- We suggest our Sundance Flatware Set. This is our original design, and for good reason! The organic, lightly hammered texture of the handles - which is a signature in the Sundance collection, combined with the warm copper finish feels timeless and special. It has a "laid-back elegance" that is perfect for a sophisticated, but inviting holiday table.
- How to Style: Style your copper flatware with natural elements. It looks beautiful with raw linen, dark wood tables or chargers, and centerpieces of evergreen and pinecones. It also goes well with deep jewel tones like navy blue or forest green.
Popshed Stainless Steel
A polished set of steel is a timeless classic and the tableware equivalent of a little black dress. It is always fashionable.
- Meet our flagship Sundance 18/8 Stainless Steel Flatware Set. This is the original tableware little black dress. The flatware is made of 18/8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) stainless steel, which provides excellent durability, rust resistance, and gives our artisans a good surface to forge and hammer into our signature texture designs. The set is also incredibly heavy and balanced as well, making them an amazing tool in the hand.
- How to Style: This flatware is your workhorse. It works just as well with your grandmother's antique china as it does with modern, minimalist stoneware. It is an investment.
The Detail Your Guests Will Remember
As you prepare the gorgeous table for Christmas, make sure to consider not just the focal point of your table, but the entire tabletop. Your guests will ultimately love your flowers, maybe even comment on them, but it is your flatware they will experience.
This reveals a secret to creating an unforgettable table: the little details like the surprising weight of a well-balanced knife, the subtle sophistication of an appropriate formal setting for the occasion, the gleam of gold details are the practical elements that can make a meal into a memory. This is ultimately the work of hosting: to show your guests in every little way possible that you are so glad they came.
FAQs
Q: Where does the dessert spoon go, and what about a dessert fork if I have one?
A: Both go placed horizontally above the dinner plate. The handle of the dessert spoon points to the right, and the handle of the dessert fork points to the left. This allows your guest to slide them back down into place.
Q: Can I really have an assortment of flatware for a big Christmas party if I don't have enough?
A: Yes, you can. In fact, it can look very beautiful. Well, of course, as long as you think about it! At least try to keep the mess of each set. For example, use one pattern for your place setting and not another for dessert. Or you can use lots of simple stainless and one regal flatware set, but make sure all the forks look like the same set and all the knives look like the same set. Adding a similar napkin or charger may bring everything together, too.
Q: I love the look of gold or black flatware, but is it that much work to care for after a big holiday meal?
A: No, it is easier than you might think!! You can place the flatware directly into a dishwasher because they have a PVD coating, but I always suggest hand washing on any kinds of finishes that are not a regular finish. It just keeps them looking perfect for longer. The key is to not let acidic foods (like vinaigrette or tomato) sit on them for hours. A simple rinse and wash with a soft cloth and mild soap is all it takes.
