Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Setting the Table


Today's writing prompt for 31 Days is "your favorite family tradition." This 31-day exercise may seriously challenge my memory in other ways, but I know my favorite family tradition. It's exclusively mine, and I can't say that about much in my house. No one participates in this tradition until it's time to sit down to a holiday meal, because my favorite tradition is setting the table.

I don't have any problem with people who choose to use paper plates and napkins to make holiday meals easier (the dishwashers at my house might just prefer I did). But the joy in serving meals to others, for me, is 40% good food and 60% beautiful tables.








Ever since my mother moved to a condo, all of the family meals take place at my house. At some holidays, Thanksgiving for example, we have at least 18 people, depending on who brings a girlfriend or boyfriend, which can make table-setting a challenge. But we have three large tables, and lots of chairs, and no one cares if the plates are mixed colors and the flatware doesn't match if there are lit candles and flowers and cloth napkins, and then good food.







As the holiday approaches I start polishing silver, choosing serving dishes, ironing tablecloths that have been in storage for months, dusting the plates, and washing the crystal. I plan the centerpieces and even place cards. All the good stuff gets used and some of the everyday stuff -- which I have had to buy more of just to accommodate a large crowd. I plan the centerpieces and even place cards. We have no "kids' table" at our house any more, or at least not yet, so everyone just mixes and sometimes the young adults end up together and sometimes the teens and the elders end up together. To me, seeing my family enjoying a meal at a table that has been set with love, in the best family tradition.




"All great change in America
 begins at the dinner table." 

Ronald Reagan

8 comments:

  1. I wish I could set a better table for Thanksgiving but we usually have 30+ people over so my option is limited to practicality.

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  2. Ahhhh, hope it's not a bygone era....
    My mother is a great table setter...me? Not so much. But I do appreciate it SO MUCH and do try on occasion. <3

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    1. It's either your love language or it's not. You have many others!

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  3. I go both ways, depending on how I am feeling at that point in time. Your tables are beautiful. I hope your family is appreciative!

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    1. I think my family is appreciative. I'm not sure it would bother them if I suddenly stopped -- the meal, however, must show up!

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  4. You are such a kindred spirit. I love everything about this and do the same. Probably my table setting to food pleasure ratio is even more drastic however lol.

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    1. I like to cook, and especially prepare special meals, but I really enjoy the table setting. And it's amazing how you can decorate a table with just what you have (provided you've been endowed with some nice basics).

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!