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Don’t wait for a milestone to set a beautiful table that
will bring people together.

 

There used to be a time when getting together warranted a reason —a holiday, birthday or another celebratory occasion. Now, we find ourselves itching at the opportunity to gather around a table and celebrate any moment, big or small. Even if it’s to have people over for takeout on a Friday night, we’ll set a beautiful table just to be in the company of those we hold dear. Why? Because we’ve learned you don’t need a special reason to celebrate friendship, family and life when it’s reason enough. In this new spirit of gathering, Amy Burstyn Fritz, co-founder of dinnerware brand Misette, shares her advice for making your table the perfect place for family and friends to congregate.

Start With the Essentials

Start With the Essentials

Dinnerware doesn’t have to be fussy or costly to make your table feel special. Fritz recommends investing in items you’re going to use most like plates, glassware and cutlery. Purchase pieces that speak to your style and work with your entertaining needs, but can also be mixed and matched with seasonal pieces, items you already own or family heirlooms for more versatility.

 

For a standard place setting that can be used for any type of meal or occasion, a dinner plate, fork, knife, napkin and water and wine glass are the key elements that you need. When you want to kick things up a notch, Fritz says that’s where layering comes in. “Add a salad bowl over the dinner plate to course out the meal, use tablecloths to add texture, and set placemats for another layer of visual interest,” she says. You can also extend your place setting to a five-piece cutlery set for multi-course meals.

 

It’s All in the Details

It's All in the Details

Making your table look and feel special is a lot less complex than you might think. Fritz encourages getting creative and personal with things like name cards for every guest and handmade floral arrangements. Consider handwriting on simple craft paper, or choosing seasonal flowers picked from your yard or local florist. “Simple bud vases are a great way to add pretty florals without going all-out on intricate arrangements,” she says.

 

Music and mood lighting will help to round out any finishing touches. Arrange tapered candles in clusters of two or three to illuminate your tablescape and create an inviting ambience. “We love welcoming guests with a cocktail or glass of sparkling — it makes people feel special and catered to the moment they walk in the door,” says Fritz. If your gathering is outdoors, take a page out of Fritz’s book and get some cozy blankets, fold them over the back of your guests’ chairs and add candlelight to bring some warmth into the space.

About Missette

Co-founded by Amy Burstyn Fritz, Misette is a dinnerware brand that’s accessible enough for everyday, but elevated enough for your nicest dinner party. For every purchase, Misette will donate two meals to Second Harvest. Visit misettetable.com & follow @misettetable on Instagram for more inspiration.

While creating an inviting table setting is important for any get-together, it’s only a small piece of your party-planning journey. For even more tips and tricks on how to make hosting an absolute breeze, check out our guide.

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