An intimate dinner setting with two stacks of square white plates with pink cloth napkins and a love note written on red paper. The love note reads "to my valentine". There are also two empty wine glasses. The scene is set on a red background.Dining

Creating a Romantic Valentine’s Dinner for Two

Hosting a romantic Valentine’s dinner for two can be a special and memorable experience for you and your loved one. Nothing sets the mood better than a candle-lit dining table with Elite Global Solutions melamine dinnerware. The key is to put thought and effort into creating a special space that is inviting and thoughtful. Start planning well in advance what dinnerware you are going to use for the special occasion.

A homecooked meal is a clever way to save time and money while keeping an intimate touch. Choose a menu that incorporates high-quality premium dinnerware in every course. Preparing the meal together can be a fun and intimate experience, plan a menu that includes both of your favorite dishes. Consider an appetizer, main course, side dish, and dessert. Utilize Elite Global Solutions’ broad range of serving possibilities to create your own unique Valentine’s Day table setting.

Pictured above is the Sierra Round Plate Stand 

Select a place that feels romantic and private. You can have dinner at home, in your backyard, or even at a special location like a rooftop, beach, or a park. Set a beautifully decorated table for two. Use a nice tablecloth, fine dinnerware, and elegant glassware. Fold cloth napkins and add some personal touches like handwritten love notes. Stack your plates according to each course of the meal with the appetizer plate on top and the dinner plate on the bottom. We decided to use our Square Pebble Creek dinnerware to create a dynamic and visually appealing table for two.

An intimate dinner setting with two stacks of square white plates with pink cloth napkins and a love note written on red paper. The love note reads "to my valentine". There are also two empty wine glasses. The scene is set on a red background.

Pictured above is the Square Pebble Creek Collection

Have soft, romantic music playing in the background. Create a playlist of your favorite love songs or choose a station that fits the mood. Put in the effort to dress nicely. It will make the evening feel more special and formal. Wear something that makes you both feel attractive and confident. After the meal, enjoy a romantic dessert using a matching bowl from your favorite Elite Global Solutions product line.

Pictured above is the Swirl Collection

As the evening ends, express your love and appreciation for each other. Reminisce about your favorite moments together and discuss your dreams for the future. Remember that the most important aspect of a romantic Valentine’s dinner is the love and connection you share with your partner. Make the evening one to remember by starting your celebration with Elite Global Solutions’ premium melamine dinnerware and serveware.

For more Valentine’s Day dinnerware ideas, try checking out our Della Terra, Square Pebble Creek, and Swirl product lines.

READ MORE
Dining

How to Set the Table for Christmas Dinner

Christmas dinner is a cherished tradition that brings friends and family together to celebrate the holiday season. Setting the table for a Christmas dinner party is a fun and festive way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Remember that setting the table for a Christmas dinner party can be as formal or as casual as you prefer, depending on the style of your gathering. We chose to adorn our Christmas dining table with our Maya collection of dinnerware. 

Decide on a color scheme that reflects the Christmas spirit. We designed our table setting around a traditional red, white, green, silver, and gold color scheme. You can also choose a more modern and elegant color palette, such as white and silver or blue and silver. If you are having trouble choosing the theme, consider going with something simple such as classic Christmas, winter wonderland, or Santa’s workshop.

A scene depicting a Christmas dinner table decorated with pine branches, pinecones, candles, and red and white dinnerware.

Pictured above is our Maya dinnerware collection in Cream Glaze and Red Glaze

Start by laying down a tablecloth or a table runner that matches your chosen color scheme. Set individual place settings for each guest. Place the dinner plate in the center of each setting. If you’re serving salad, place the salad plate on top of the dinner plate. If you’re serving soup, you can place the soup spoon to the right of the dinner spoon. Set flatware on either side of the plates, with forks on the left and knives and spoons on the right. Place water glasses above and to the right of the knives. Fold cloth napkins and place them on the dinner plate or to the left of the forks.

A scene depicting a Christmas dinner table decorated with pine branches, pinecones, candles, and red and white dinnerware.

Pictured above is our Maya dinnerware collection in Cream Glaze and Red Glaze

Create a festive Christmas centerpiece that suits your theme. You can include elements like holiday candles, miniature Christmas trees, or a combination of evergreen branches and ornaments. Consider adding candles, string lights, or other ambient lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Scented candles with holiday scents like cinnamon or pine can also enhance the mood. 

An image depicting a Christmas scene of cookies on a red melamine platter next to a red mug of hot coco and carrots on a white wood table.

Add holiday-themed decorations like Christmas stockings, ornaments, pinecones, and even a holiday-themed table runner or tableware for an extra festive touch. Do a final check to make sure everything is in place and light any candles if you are using them to set the mood. Don’t forget to leave out some milk and cookies for Santa on a festive melamine tray!

READ MORE
Dining

Setting the Table for a Thanksgiving Party

Setting the mood for your Thanksgiving party can be a fun and memorable experience. Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere is a wonderful way to evoke the essence of the season. The first step is creating a theme or color scheme for your décor. Traditional fall colors like deep reds, oranges, and browns work well for Thanksgiving, but you can also go for a more modern or elegant look with neutral colors or metallic accents.

Pictured above is our Stardust and Pebble Creek product lines in blue.

Making a beautiful and inviting table for your Thanksgiving party is a delicate balance of tradition and personal expression. Ensure you have enough place settings for all your guests, including plates, forks, knives, spoons, glasses, and napkins. Consider using our Elite Global Solutions melamine dinnerware or even special Thanksgiving-themed plates and glasses. Cover the table with a tablecloth that matches your theme or color scheme. Alternatively, use placemats for a more casual setting.

Crafting a Thanksgiving centerpiece is a delightful way to add a touch of elegance and warmth to your holiday table. A well-crafted Thanksgiving centerpiece not only enhances the beauty of your table but also sets the stage for a memorable and festive holiday gathering. Create a stunning centerpiece that serves as the focal point of the table. Consider using a floral arrangement, a cornucopia filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables, candles, or a combination of these elements. Make sure it’s not too tall, so guests can see each other across the table.

Pictured above is our Stardust and Pebble Creek product lines in blue.

Set the table with plates, utensils, and glassware in the order they will be used. Typically, the fork goes on the left, and the knife and spoon go on the right. Place the water glass above the knife and any wine glasses to the right of the water glass. Roll or fold cloth napkins and secure them with decorative napkin rings that match your theme or color scheme. Add decorative details like small pumpkins, gourds, or seasonal foliage to each place setting to enhance the Thanksgiving theme. Consider using candles to create a warm and cozy ambiance.

Pictured above is our Stardust and Pebble Creek product lines in blue.

If you’re not using a full tablecloth, a table runner can add a decorative element to the center of the table. If you have space and want to go all out, you can add additional decorations like seasonal wreaths, string lights, or even a garland along the center of the table. Step back and take a moment to assess the table’s overall look. Make any final adjustments or additions to ensure it looks just the way you want it.

Setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table can enhance the overall dining experience and make your guests feel appreciated. Don’t forget to take photos to capture the memories of your Thanksgiving celebration!

READ MORE
Dining

How to Set the Table for a Halloween Party

Setting the table for a Halloween party is a fun and creative task that allows you to embrace the spooky and festive spirit of the holiday. Decide on a specific Halloween theme for your party, such as a classic spooky, haunted house, a gothic vampire, or a cute and kid-friendly theme. Your theme will influence your table decor and color scheme.

Choosing the ideal dinnerware can be a daunting task, luckily, we are here to help! Paper plates are a convenient option, but they aren’t ideal for a formal dining room setting. If you are going through all the trouble of setting the table, you want to lead with your best plate forward. Our shatterproof melamine products are the safest option for a large holiday dinner party. We have some stunning black and white products that are sure to set the tone for your spooky Halloween-themed event.

Our premium Durango Formal dinnerware collection is sure to captivate your guests with the stark black and bright white color pattern. The brilliant white backdrop is the perfect blank canvas for your cuisine while the black accent color provides an ominous tone to your table setting. Try layering the dinnerware to give each place setting a dimensional expression. We recommend stacking the DB651GM soup bowl on top of the DG1098GM dinner plate respectively.

Durango Formal Round Bowl 8” dia. x 1 3/8” h., 10 oz., (DB651-GM/GG)
Durango Formal Round Plate 11” dia. x 1” h., (D1098-GM/GG)

Place additional ingredients such as cranberry sauce or gravy in the middle of the table in a small bowl, preferably with a handle. We recommend using our D42RR small bowl with a handle in black and white.

Durango Formal Bowl w/ 1 1/2” Handle 4 1/2” dia. x 2 1/2” h., 10 oz., (D42RR)

If you are also serving a salad as an appetizer, place the salad bowl just above the dinner plate and slightly off-center. The salad being just slightly to the left will leave room for an optional name card or party favor to be placed in front of each guest. If you are looking for the perfect salad bowl, we recommend using our 40oz D1008RR bowl in black and white. The soft matte texture on the outside contrasts the glossy, white-dimpled surface on the inside.

Durango Formal Round Bowl 8 3/8” dia. x 3 1/8” h., 40 oz., (D1008RR-GM/GG)

Double-check that your final touches are in place. If you are serving drinks, make sure to have appropriate drinkware and serving stations for your beverages. You can also add Halloween-themed drink stirrers or straws for extra flair. Check your table for symmetry and turn on any lighting or props to enhance the spooky atmosphere. Remember that Halloween is all about creativity and having fun, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your table decorations and make your Halloween party a memorable and spooky experience. If you are looking for some other fun and festive dinnerware products for your Halloween-themed dinner party, consider checking out our Pebble Creek, Tenaya, and Della Terra product lines. 

READ MORE
Dining

Table Setting Guide

A make-or-break element for any party is a well-appointed dinner table. It has become one of the most important parts of any event including fancy ballroom dining, holiday parties, garden parties, and casual dinner parties. There is more to table setting than folding napkins and placing centerpieces. The art of table setting comes down to a simple five-step process to elevate your dining experience. The steps may vary depending on your party style, occupancy count, cuisine and table size.

The first step to any place setting is centering the table with a colorful runner to set the tone. An optional trick to adding dimensional color to your tabletop is layering two runners, one slightly smaller than the other. The runner should span the entire table and drape over either end to be proper length. Make sure to choose colors that will match the rest of your table settings to keep things cohesive. We decided to use our Vintage California collection to match the table runner.

Phase two involves placing the plates and bowls according to your table size. Place the bread plate on top of the salad bowl to save space and time. Ensure the dinnerware and serveware are designed to be compatible with each other before stacking. Traditionally speaking, the bread plate is placed in the upper left corner and the soup bowl goes on top of the salad plate.

In the third step, place the utensils next to each place setting with the dinner fork placed directly to the left side of each plate with the salad fork added to the furthest left. The knife goes directly to the right of the plate, followed by the spoon with dessert spoons lying horizontally above the plates. If using assigned seating, place a name card above the dessert plate.

The fourth step is placing the drinkware in its proper place. Place the wine and water glass in the upper right with the wine glass behind the water. If you are serving more than one type of wine, place the white wine glass to the left and slightly lower than the red wine glass. If you choose to add a coffee mug, place the mug on a saucer underneath the wine glasses. It’s common to replace drinkware in a formal setting to reduce clutter.

The last and final step includes folding the napkin and placing it on top of the plate stack. To add another focal point to the table, use a napkin ring to adorn your table like jewelry. Mix and match the napkins for a pop of color. To enhance the table setting more, place a beautiful centerpiece such as candles or flowers, just be sure to not block the view of the guests sitting across from each other.

READ MORE