How to host a dinner party, from cutlery to tableware and timing 

Simple etiquette makes festive feasts more fun for host and guest alike

Rules are made to be broken, including etiquette. The primary rule is let your guests relax and feel accepted at every moment. File picture

Whether you're hosting a full-on feast or an intimate dinner party, setting out your table correctly is not simply stuck-up protocol. The table guides the handling and flow of the meal. 

Laying the table for each sitter indicates the correct use of each item set out in front of your guest, by where it’s positioned. But keep in mind, none of this really matters at all. Once your visitors are in place, that’s the last time you should notice what they choose to do.