Chargers are generally reserved for more formal place settings, but Real Simple home editor Stephanie Sisco says you can still use a charger in a casual table setting if you wish—just make sure ...

A casual place setting usually includes fewer utensils, dishware and glassware. A formal place setting usually includes more courses with a utensil, glass and plate/bowl that is appropriate to use ...

It wasn’t a reader letter about formal place settings. It was a real, live person, sitting at a table in front of me. But I wasn’t dining with him. I was his server.

Set dishes in the center of the place setting. The charger (largest) plate at the bottom, the salad plate on top, and the soup bowl on top of that. The forks go to the left of the dishes.

The formal place setting is generally used for multiple- course meals or holiday dinners. It is an informal place setting taken to the next level. White linens are considered the most formal.

But don't assume that more silverware means a more formal setting; you should only place pieces your guests will need. "If you're not serving soup, you wouldn't set the table with a soupspoon ...

In this era of ultra-casual dining – take-out food, paper plates and microwaves – it might, just might, be a delightful change to polish the silver and bring out the treasures hidden in… ...