Tied in a Bow December 2015 | Page 99

Don't panic if you're not sure about the proper place setting for each meal. Vujinovic says you can find "cheat sheets" or place setting guides on Replacements' website, under the "neat things" tab.

Be a gracious guest

Always pass food around the table counterclockwise to the right without serving yourself first. Pass the salt and pepper as a set, even if you are only asked for one.

Ladies should always blot their lips before sitting down to the table, to keep from getting lipstick stains on linen napkins or glassware.

If you're not sure which utensil to use with each course, start on the outside and work toward the plate.

And don't forget...

Remember, the host/hostess always sits last. This person will let you know when it's OK to begin eating by offering a blessing or statement or perhaps passing a dish.

Don't cut more than one or two bites of food at a time and never butter an entire roll or piece of bread. Rather, pinch off one or two small pieces and butter those first.

If you need to excuse yourself temporarily, place your napkin on your chair to indicate you are coming back. Signify you are finished with your meal by placing your napkin to the left the dinner plate and your fork and knife side by side diagonally across your plate with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork times down.

Perhaps most importantly, don't bring your cell phone to the table.

Vujinovic emphasizes good manners transcends all ages.

"I think it's very important to start teaching your children proper manners even at a young age," Vujinovic says. "As I've noticed with my own children, kids are very open-minded when it comes to learning, so if you introduce them to etiquette now, this will become habit and stay with them throughout their lives."

Should you cause a major holiday fumble by accidently breaking a piece of the host's dinnerware, you should certainly offer to replace the piece. If you don't know the name of the pattern or manufacturer, you're in luck - Replacements offers a free identification service.

"Don't bring your cell phone to the table."

Still hungry for more tips? Vujinovic says you can find additional etiquette dos and don'ts on Replacements' YouTube page.

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