More than wiping excess food on the lips, an attractively folded napkin is like a small piece of art welcoming you as you sit down on your table. Usually set at the center of a table setting, some table napkins are folded in various ways, from familiar shapes, flowers, and sometimes animals. When people think that there might be actually a subject in school in folding table napkins, there are books or tutorials online that show easy and attractive ways to fold.

Simple folds like pyramid or French folds are easy for cloth napkins, and usually these shapes are placed at the center of the plate. Sometimes, these folds have functions to attractively store silverware other than have silverware placed at the sides of the plate. The paper napkin and silverware combination can be served during picnics or outdoor meals. The silverware may act as a “weight” to prevent the wind from blowing away the napkin, since it’s made of light material, usually paper or cloth. Paper, being stiffer than cloth, has a lot of options for shapes, almost like origami. Some restaurants prefer paper napkins than cloth as they are most cost-efficient and convenient.

Aside from basic white, cloth and paper napkins may come in various colors. This usually depends on the personal taste of the host or the theme of the restaurant. Paper or cloth napkins may also match the color motif of a wedding, and some even have an attractive napkin ring to match, which may be used as a party favors. Napkin rings may be made of metal, crystals, plastic, glass, mother-of-pearl, or even shells and beads strung together attractively, like in a beach wedding or beach party.

Napkins shaped like hearts or flowers are popular during Valentine’s Day or romantic dinners in fancy restaurants. They may be even be colored a deep red to fit the occasion. Sometimes, for dinners where a man proposes to a woman, if not during the dessert where the ring is strategically placed at the cake slice, The engagement ring may be tucked creatively in the napkin folds, or if creative, may be arranged and folded as a box.

Fun and cool folding may be present in parties, specifically beach parties, outdoor barbecues, or children’s parties where napkins may be folded according to theme, such as fish, airplanes, or boats and other cool shapes depending on the host’s creativity. Elegant shapes like flowers or fans are present in more formal settings and restaurants. Napkin folding is a way to jazz things up before food is served.