Life Skill
- Social skills
Project Skill
- Decorating tables (folding napkins, and other special touches)
Objective
- Participant creates a pleasant social setting.
Success Indicators
- Participant folds napkins creatively and attractively.
Eti-Kit
- Napkins (cloth and paper)
- Napkin rings
- Knife, fork, and spoon
- Materials for a centerpiece (for Extra Polish, optional)
Courtesy Corner
- Napkin rings were originally designed to help individual family members keep track of their own napkins. Because it was not practical to wash cloth napkins after each use, napkins were stored in rings engraved with each person's initials.
Manners Matter: Ages 9 to 12
Table Magic
The Right Foot
Have you ever attended a special dinner with your family or at a neighbor's house? Maybe you have gone to a banquet at your school or somewhere else. If so, you may have seen napkins folded like fans or flowers. These artistic touches make people feel special-like honored guests. And they're not as hard to make as you might think.
Civil Action
Practice folding napkins into attractive shapes. Be sure to try some designs that include the silverware and napkin rings.
Extra Polish
Make a centerpiece for a meal or special occasion. Use fresh flowers, a decorated plant, or craft material. Keep the centerpiece in proportion to the size of the table. Design it low enough so it doesn't block anyone's view of other diners.
Finishing School
Share
- Which napkin folds did you like the best? Which were the easiest?
- Do some designs work better with paper napkins than cloth?
Process
- How did you decide where to put the napkins in the place setting?
- How do you know which types of napkins or folds are appropriate for which occasions?
Generalize
- Can you think of other times when decorations or special touches made an experience more enjoyable?
Apply
- What did you learn from making table decorations that might help you in other projects or social events?
Published by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
9/04-BS
4H-M-10-44W
E04-43970
Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
9/04-BS
4H-M-10-44W
E04-43970