For a formal place setting, think of the acronym “BMW”—the bread plate goes on the top left, the meal plate goes in the center, and the water glass goes on the top right. [2] X Expert Source Tami ClaytorEtiquette Coach Expert Interview. 29 September 2020. Setting a basic table for your everyday breakfast doesn’t need to take long at all. Just think ahead about what you’re planning to make, and make sure to set out the dishware that’ll be needed.
An easy way to remember which side the utensils go on is to think about the letters in each word. “Fork” has 4 letters, and so does the word “left. " “Knife” and “spoon” both have 5 letters—the same as in the word “right. “[4] X Expert Source Tami ClaytorEtiquette Coach Expert Interview. 29 September 2020. Always place the knife with its blade pointing toward the plate. The spoon should go on the outside. [5] X Expert Source Tami ClaytorEtiquette Coach Expert Interview. 29 September 2020. You could also put silverware into a basket on the table and let your guests take what they need for their meal. Some people may not need a knife or a spoon, and this could cut down on the dishes you need to clean later.
If you’re serving mimosas or some other kind of batch-drink, provide a pitcher of the beverage and the appropriate glasses next to the pitcher so guests can help themselves.
If you normally use a napkin-holder at your table, it’s okay to just set that out, too, instead of placing a table at each setting.
If you’re planning to use a tablecloth, lay it out before setting any plates down on the table. If you do happen to use a dinner plate, provide a salad plate as well for bread or muffins. Place the salad plate at the upper-left corner of the dinner plate. It’s okay if your dishes don’t all match! Mismatched plates hold a certain kind of charm when presented nicely.
Use smaller bowls for breakfast if you have them. A deep soup-bowl might look cumbersome on your breakfast table.
The soup spoon is for cereal or yogurt, and the teaspoon is for stirring hot beverages.
You can often find pretty, unique glassware at thrift stores. If you’re serving an alcoholic drink, like mimosas or bloody marys, provide the appropriate glassware for the drink. Champagne flutes are great for mimosas, and highball glasses are commonly used for bloody marys.
For an eclectic look, use mismatched cups and saucers for each place setting.
If you want to, you could even fold the napkin into a fancy shape.
For example, if you have a dining room, try setting up the buffet in the kitchen. That way people can congregate in the kitchen and gather their food and then move out of the way as they head to the dining room to sit down. If you are using disposable plates and bowls, don’t forget to put out a trash can for people to put their used dishes in.
Don’t put the silverware or napkins next to the plates, as that can make it harder for guests to juggle things as they try to get their food.
Consider creating labels or signs to put in front of each dish. This is especially helpful if you have guests that have dietary restrictions—you can specify if a dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan. Some great breakfast-buffet foods are: mini quiches, oatmeal station, fruit salad, and baked casseroles. Think of items that won’t require you to be in the kitchen or at the stove.
This is helpful, too, for people who forget to grab their silverware or don’t have a free hand to pick it up. They can just go to the end of the table to get what they need without disrupting the flow of the buffet.
Mugs for hot beverages Glasses for juice and water Sugar, sugar substitutes, and cream Teaspoons or plastic stirrers Napkins Pitchers of water, juice, or other beverages Carafes of hot water and coffee
A carafe is a large pitcher used to serve beverages. It can be insulated or not, depending on whether it’s for hot or cold beverages, and it can be open-topped or have a lid. Carafes used for cold liquids are generally open, whereas coffee or hot water is usually served in a lidded carafe. Use an insulated carafe for hot liquids and a glass carafe for cold liquids.
You could also set out honey for tea, oatmeal, and muffins.
If you aren’t serving toast and muffins, you most likely don’t need to set out the butter.
If you’re offering multiple options, you could even create cute labels to put on each container so guests easily know which option they’re choosing.
If you don’t have a specific syrup pitcher, you could also use a gravy boat or a creamer pitcher for a similar look.
You could also use salt and pepper bowls or boxes with small spoons for a nice effect.
