JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE October 2016 | Page 52

 To dress it up more, place a charger under the dinner plate. height), otherwise guests won't be able to see each other across the table.  Serve appetizers and beverages in the living room before sitting down. You'll have one less course to bring to the table.  Before calling guests to the table, fill water goblets and put out the bread and butter for guests to pass. If you're serving a salad, fill individual salad plates and set them at each place setting. Consider chilling the salad plates in the refrigerator for several hours to keep greens crisp.  If your dinner plates are oven-safe, set the oven to the lowest possible temperature and place the stacked plates in the oven to warm while enjoying salad and bread. If your dishes are not oven-safe, rinse them under hot water and dry just before filling. How to Make a Sit-Down Dinner Special The holidays are a perfect time to add a little elegance to the table. Instead of a casual family-style supper, where food is passed from one person to another, host a formal sit-down dinner, where individual plates of food are served to guests. Here's how:  Keep the guest list small.  Bring out your china, crystal, silver and best linen cloths. Use place cards so guests don't have to guess where to sit.  When selecting a centerpiece for the table, make sure it isn't too tall (10 to 12 inches is an acceptable maximum JOY FEELINGS MAG!