Napkin Folding for Christmas Dinners: Easy and Elegant Techniques

Napkin Folding for Christmas Dinners: Easy and Elegant Techniques

A beautifully folded napkin adds both charm and practicality to your Christmas table setting. Discover these simple yet stunning folding techniques that are perfect for the holiday season:

1. The Classic Rectangle Fold

This is one of the simplest and most elegant ways to fold your napkins, making it ideal for both formal and casual settings. It’s perfect if you want to keep things neat and understated.

How to do it:

  1. Fold the top half of a square napkin down to meet the bottom edge, forming a rectangle.
  2. Next, fold the left side of the rectangle, forming a square.
  3. Finally, fold the right side of the square over to meet the left edge, resulting in a sleek, simple rectangle fold.
  4. Place the napkin on the plate or next to your dinnerware, with the open edges facing outward.

This classic fold creates a tidy, structured look that complements any festive setting, especially when paired with elegant linens like our Informal Irish Linen Napkins or Cotton Drill Napkins.

2. The Fan Fold

For a more intricate, eye-catching presentation, the fan fold adds dimension to your place settings and is especially lovely when you have a formal dinner.

How to do it:

  1. Lay your napkin flat, then fold the napkin accordion-style (back and forth in 1-inch folds).
  2. Once fully folded, fold the napkin in half from one end to the other.
  3. Stand the folded napkin up and gently spread the folds to create a fan-like effect.
  4. Place it either in the center of the plate or beside the cutlery as a decorative centerpiece.

The fan fold works beautifully with crisp linens like our Mercurio cotton napkins or our Informal Irish Linen Napkins, and adds an element of texture to your table.

3. Draped Napkins

Also called waterfall napkins, draped napkins are an elegant way to enhance a classic white tablecloth. Simply drape each guest's napkin over the edge of the table. This technique defines each place setting while adding visual interest and a sense of depth to your table arrangement.

How to do it:

  1. Lay the napkin flat on a smooth surface. Fold the top edge down by one-third of the napkin's height.
  2. Fold the napkin down again, bringing the newly folded top edge down by another third.
  3. Take the bottom edge and fold it upward to meet and align with the top edge.
  4. Flip the napkin over so the smooth side faces up, and place it neatly under each plate

This fold is perfectly suited for our large Double Damask Napkins, transforming them into a statement piece for your table. For an alternative look, try draping the napkin elegantly over the edge of each plate or across the table edge.

4. The Pocket Fold

The pocket fold adds both style and practicality to your table setting, as it provides a perfect place to slip in a small menu card, cutlery, or a sprig of holly for added flair.

How to do it:

  1. Lay your napkin face-down on a hard, flat surface.
  2. Fold your napkin in half vertically.
  3. Fold the bottom edge of the napkin up, a little past halfway. Use your hand to smooth the new crease.
  4. Fold the new bottom crease up so it meets the original bottom edge
  5. Turn the napkin over. Make sure the folded part stays along the bottom
  6. Fold the left edge into the center of the napkin
  7. Tuck the right corner into the small pouch on the left
  8. Flip the napkin over and insert utensils or other decoration into the pocket. 

The pocket fold works beautifully with oatmeal or white linen napkins, offering both elegance and function.

5. The Diamond Fold

This sophisticated and elegant fold is ideal for formal holiday dinners. It has a regal appearance that’s sure to impress your guests.

How to do it:

  1. Place the napkin on a flat surface with the finished side facing down
  2. Fold the napkin in half, forming a rectangle.
  3. Fold the napkin into quarters, forming a square.
  4. Orient the napkin so that the point of the open end is facing away from you,  If you wish to create a pocket, fold the top-most layer towards the bottom point, align the edges and press flat.
  5. Turn your napkin over and fold the left hand side of the napkin over two thirds of the way.
  6. Fold the right hand side of the napkin over to match the left hand side
  7. If you created a pocket, you can tuck the corners of the napkin into the left hand side flap.

The Diamond fold pairs beautifully with luxurious fabrics like our Double Damask Irish Linen, giving your table a refined and festive look.

Final Touches for Napkin Folding

  • For an added touch of holiday spirit, consider decorating your napkins with crochet napkin rings or small festive embellishments like pinecones or holly sprigs.

With these simple yet elegant napkin folds, your Christmas table will look both sophisticated and festive, setting the tone for a memorable holiday dinner.

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