Napkin Folding 101

I have hosted my fair share of dinner parties.  A comfortable evening with my friends for drinks, dinner and cards.  I'd always try to make the evening a little special, especially if the party coincided with a holiday like it did one year on Valentine's Day.  Even though none of my guests were (my) Valentine....I had a blast finding just the perfect gift for each one of them -- especially the guys (but we won't go there).

I have always tried to make each AHOP meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) a little special for the officers I cook for -- either by setting a special table or with the meal itself.  I tried using paper plates once, but I didn't like it. The best for the best is what I always say, so I purchased 20 plain white plates from Pier 1.  White plates are great because you can change the color scheme of your table so easily.

Since I've started making up To-Go boxes and taking them down to the station, I wanted the To-Go box to be special too.  I couldn't bear the thought of just throwing the plasticware in a bag or laying it all out on the table, so I learned how to fold this cute napkin pocket.  I use paper napkins, but the video is with a cloth napkin - either way they are adorable and it lets your special guests know you loved serving them.

The above video does provide a great illustration, but I decided to include my paper napkins too so you could see the kind of napkins I use for my events.  Cute, huh?  The printed napkins turn out prettier, but I used this one so you could see the folds a letter better. 

Turn the folded part over to the smooth side.

After you fold it like this....turn the point around
so it is pointing down (towards you)

Fold the tip over and into the slot (you'll see it).

♥