Savvy Secrets – Fun With Napkins

We think cloth napkins are very underrated in the contribution they can make to any event or even to a simple table setting.  Today we’ve got some fun and creative ways, that you may not have seen, to use your cloth napkins at your next party or event.

At this garden party, monogrammed napkins were placed between each dessert plate, making a pretty display that is also very handy for guests. We think monograms make almost anything extra special. Having an ordinary set of cloth napkins monogrammed, can make them an extraordinary gift by the way.

This napkin is doing double duty.  First it is serving as the wrapping for a party favor at the guests place and when unwrapped it will serve as a regular napkin to keep crumbs and spills from the guest’s lap.

Folding a napkin so as to create a pocket allows you to place bread sticks at each individual place to be served with a dip or appetizer as a first course.  The pocket could also be used to hold a printed or even a hand written menu of the party’s fare.

These fun napkins are all different but what makes this work together is that they are all in the same color family, as are the flowers they each surround.  Add some raffia with a name tag and you have a functional and lovely way to give each guest his or her napkin and their placecard at the same time.

On business class and first class airline flights, passengers are often given a napkin with a buttonhole in one corner to keep the napkin in place as they eat and ensure that if they spill during the flight it won’t ruin their clothes.  Why not put a buttonhole in some napkins for your “younger” guests (especially if there is a meal served at a dressy event) to keep their outfits looking great?

You can easily create a batik like design on colored napkins by using a stencil and a fabric pen.  If you are particularly talented you could freehand a design like the leaf pattern seen here.  If you don’t have colored napkins or can’t find any in the colors you want, you could try dyeing them yourself. You can buy fabric dye at craft or fabric stores very inexpensively.  One note:  Use much less dye than you think you will need (maybe a teaspoon of liquid dye per gallon of water) for a softer color wash effect.  You can always add more and re-dye your napkin if it is not dark enough the first time.  Also try dipping a paper towel in your dye solution first to test how intense the color will look on your napkin.

For a casual setting, you can use a variety of napkins in different colors and patterns that mirror the colors of your centerpiece.

Place some white linen or cotton napkins along with napkin rings, and some vintage flatware tied with a bow, in a tureen or casserole dish and you have the perfect housewarming, wedding shower, or hostess gift.

For “instant”, no-sew cafe curtains, simply add rings with clips* to the sides of two napkins and slide onto a cafe curtain rod.

If you are feeling really extravagant, at your next weekend house party, have a napkin personalized for each guest.  Unless they are heavily soiled, your guests can use their napkins at each meal. And there is a bonus….the napkins also serve as place cards at the table.

I learned the value and power of a simple cloth napkin when my children were young.  I always use cloth napkins primarily because I like them, and I have so many after years of collecting them.  One young child made a comment after dinner one night at our house that I will never forget.  As she was about to go home, she turned and thanked me for dinner, and then with a really big smile said “I love coming here.  You always treat me so special!”  “You are special to us”, I said, “But what is it that makes you feel special when you are here?” I asked her. “Well…. you always use cloth napkins when I come over, so I KNOW you think I’m special.”

And there is was.  A simple cloth napkin spoke volumes to a little girl and made her feel she must be valuable and important if we used them when she came to dinner.  That was reason enough for me to continue to use them at every meal. After all, you never know who might stop by, or pop in and stay for dinner, and what an easy way to “tell” someone that they matter, they are important and they are valued in our home.

If you don’t happen to own any cloth napkins, you can find some that are well priced at Marshalls, Home Goods, or Target, or there are some white ones here at Amazon that are only a little more than $1 per napkin.  You may also find some really lovely linen at yard sales and thrift stores.  If they are stained simply soak them for 24 hours or more in some Oxyclean to freshen them up.  We suggest you start your collection with some white napkins as they will work with any table setting.  But be forewarned…having a table set with beautiful napkins, can become habit forming.  If you are going to have a habit and a collection, we think napkins is a good one to have.   Beautiful tables set with cloth napkins, whether you have guests or are eating by yourself, will make your life feel very abundant everyday 🙂

These are the clip rings for cafe curtains we spoke of above.  You can find them on Amazon in a set of 20 for $7.69.