Napkin Holder Galore at Tmour.com

Whether you are preparing a feast or a simple lunch, the table sets the scene for the meal, and a beautifully and elegantly laid table creates a sense of anticipation among your guests who can look forward to a special time together. Or, surprise your family with a special meal complete with very unique napkin holders!

Special and unique Napkin Holder made from Buffalo Horn

Tmour.com presents a unique range of napkin holders, which are specially handcrafted from buffalo horn and mother of pearl. The buffalo horn is heated and then moulded into shapes. Special care and attention to detail is applied to these amazing masterpieces. Our intricate collection consists of a variety of flowers, graceful insects such as the bee, dragonfly and butterfly, the auspicious fish, and the ever-natural leaf. These designs are chosen because of their significance, such as the bee is for good luck; the dragonfly signifies a new beginning which is suitable for new home and new ventures as well as a wedding present; fish for prosperity; lotus for serenity and calm. In terms of designs, most of them are suitable for all occasions. For those who want to portray an oriental feel, the lotus design is the best. The different tone of the buffalo horn makes every piece even more unique.

Note the attention to detail on this piece, especially on the stinger, the wings and the head, complete with the antennae

Note the pearl shell details on the butterfly wings which are intricately attached

Note the scaly detail on the thorax of the dragonfly.

Napkin size and material

The general rule for napkins is: the less formal the occasion, the smaller and more decorated the napkin can be. Dinner napkins should be generously proportioned – up to 1m/ 1yd square – and should be used folded in half, adequately covering the most ample lap with a double thickness of good quality fabric. For less formal dinners you can use smaller napkins, about 75cm/30in square, but no smaller than 50cm/20in square.

For most entertaining we are much more relaxed than our forebears; while white napkins remain the classic choice, patterns and colours suitable for all but the most formal of occasions. If you keep a selection of different types, varying in size, colour and material, you are bound to be able to fit the right style to every occasion, especially if you customize them with some of the many ideas in this book.

Napkin Etiquette

Even today, when many of the fussier aspects of table manners have been abandoned in favour of a general awareness of the comfort of your fellow diners, there are still some formal occasions when elaborate etiquette will be observed.

At formal dinners and banquets one of the first stumbling blocks can be deciding when to unfold your napkin. In top hotels and restaurants around the world the waiters often deal with this: once everyone is seated they may g around the table, unfolding the napkins and either handing them to each guest of flicking them into their laps. If this is not done for you, wait at least until everyone is seated before unfolding our napkin, but make sure it is on your lap just as the first course arrives.

Large dinner napkins should be left folded in half, so there is a double thickness on your lap, and small napkins completely unfolded. The napkin should be left on your lap throughout the meal, except when you need to lift it to wipe your mouth. In parts of France, some people still tuck their napkins into their collars, and this is perfectly proper, although in other countries at more formal occasions it may seem a little eccentric.

If, during a formal dinner, your napkin slithers off your lap, do not attempt to dive down under the table to rescue it from among the other diner’s feet. Attract the attention of a waiter, who will either retrieve the napkin or bring a fresh one.

When it is time to get up at the end of the meal, put your napkin on the table. In Europe it is usual to leave the napkin crumpled on the table to indicate that it is ready for laundering. In America it is more correct to leave it neatly folded. At family meals you should fold your napkin when you have finished with it, or roll it up and replace it in your napkin ring, before leaving the table, even if it needs laundering.