How to Fold Your Napkins For Thanksgiving (Two Tails Napkin Fold)

by Dorothy Reinhold on November 20, 2016


Print This Post Print This Post Easy step-by-step instructions to fold your napkins into Two Tails for a special family dinner. It's only eight simple steps to a more festive, elegant holiday table!

By this time, I know you’re doing well on figuring out what to serve for your Thanksgiving dinner.

You’ll have some pies — my Blue Ribbon Coffee-Toffee Pecan Pie, some Hot Gooey Caramel Pie, some homemade Pumpkin Pie, some Chocolate Chip Peanut Pie, and maybe even some Meyer Lemon Chess Pie, right?  Say what? You mean there’s more to Thanksgiving than dessert?

Sure, you’ll also have my Rustic Herbed Stuffing with Greens, and maybe my award-winning Southwest Stuffing.

And cranberries. There will be my Best Ever Cranberry Sauce, my Fresh Cranberry-Ginger Relish, and yeah, there’ll probably be turkey.

But the question of the day is…what will your napkins look like? Will you simply plunk them down and slap the silverware on them, or will you have a little fun? I vote fun.  

For napkin ideas, I turn for inspiration to “Top 100 Step-By-Step Napkin Folds,” written by my friend Denise Vivaldo, a master food stylist. She and her colleague Cindie Flannigan devised 100 different variations, suitable for all occasions. I like the book because it shows a photo for each step of the folding process, so even non-gifted napkin folders like me can get it right the first time.

For today, I chose the Two Tails, because it will go with whatever gathering you are having, whether Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any festive family or friends dinner during the holiday.

Here’s an explanation from the book:

“This elegant, easy presentation will work with any fabric weight, in any color or pattern; white is the most formal-looking. Here, I used a warm orange linen hemstitched napkin. Dress it up with a tassel or other decorative object, if you like (as in the finished photo). Iron napkins with spray starch before folding. After folding, gently press for a more tailored look or leave as if for more casual results.”

two-tails-napkin-fold-1st-steps

two-tails-napkin-fold-2nd-steps

Isn’t that fun? Try it!

Better, yet, show this to your kids and ask them to do it for the table.

If you like this and want to save it, pint the image below to your Pinterest board.

two-tails-napkin-fold-table-decoration-by-denise-vivaldoCourtesy of Top 100 Step-by-Step Napkin Folds by Denise Vivaldo © 2014 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission. Available where books are sold. top-100-step-by-step-napkin-folds-by-denise-vivaldo-on-shockinglydelicious-com

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Jessica | The Novice Chef November 22, 2016 at 6:38 pm

I can’t wait to use this for Thanksgiving!

Reply

Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny November 22, 2016 at 6:37 pm

Great tips! Definitely helps keep the table looking ready!

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Krista November 22, 2016 at 5:49 pm

I cannot wait to try this out! Love it!

Reply

katerina @ diethood.com November 22, 2016 at 5:35 am

This is really helpful!! I can’t wait to try it out!! 🙂

Reply

Amanda | The Chunky Chef November 22, 2016 at 4:45 am

This is a great tutorial! I always loved those fancy folded napkins during the holidays 🙂

Reply

Amy Stafford November 21, 2016 at 4:45 am

Such a great tip especially with the holiday season coming and all the dinner parties.

Reply

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