Pink-trimmed cocktail napkins are primed to be plucked out of an English silver toast caddy in the living room. Drinks, anyone?!
Mummy always said, “Paper napkins are for picnics, linen napkins are for lovely guests!” She offered a linen cocktail napkin to her guests when serving drinks at any time of the day. This old-school proper entertaining accessory may seem retro, but they announce "Party!" to me!
Cocktail napkins can be customized easily with the design of amusing objects to reflect your interests, and they can be embroidered with your family crest, or for formal occasions, with simple white on white embroidery. It is delightful to discover precious new linen designs on my travels, and it’s a joy to collect a myriad of cocktail napkins for various occasions and design schemes. My predominant justification: Party time is “pretty time!”
Occasionally, I receive one of my cocktail napkins sent back with a note from a guest! Gentlemen have a propensity to pop them in their pocket at some point during cocktail hour. I imagine it’s because it feels like a handkerchief, which naturally goes back into the pocket. They are always sheepishly embarrassed to have "lifted" one of my napkins… but to me, it is an endearing compliment!
I estimate about two cocktail napkins per guest: one for drinks and another to pass with hors d’oeuvres.
Unique designs can be an opportunity to show your personal style, and can also become a conversation piece. Mummy had little ones with roosters embroidered on them. When I inquired "Why roosters, for heaven's sake?" her response was, "Cock-tails, my dear!" That answered that! On my YouTube channel, I show an example of this.
My daughter, Alexandra, surprised me with a set of these adorable napkins which she found at the gift store at The Breakers Hotel, and so perfect for the Hunt Room at Fox Hall.
Can you imagine how thrilled I was to receive these beautifully painted, bespoke cocktail napkins from Lemondaisy Design with my logo on them? Perfect for my pink Palm Beach living room!
Grandmillennial Tips:
Cloth cocktail napkins make splendid hostess gifts. I positively adore receiving them; one can never have too many, right?
For a large function (a wedding, engagement party, Christening, etc.), consider buying cloth cocktail napkins in bulk. Cost-wise, it is almost the same as renting, and then, you can then keep them for future parties.
Opt to have some custom embroidered napkins with your initials, or to match a motif in your house.
If you have a cocktail napkin that is “perfectly you,” consider having it framed and hanging it as art near your bar.
In my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, on page 103 I discuss cocktail napkins and a simple way to maintain them.
Here is an idea to present to your volunteer clubs! Our Garden Club of Hartford is “going green” by reusing the same cotton cocktail napkins for all of our meetings, versus throwing the paper napkins out.
Collecting bespoke, playful, informal, or formal linen cocktail napkins can become a delightful obsession! They are available at notable linen shops (Lori Jayne, Palm Beach), online, through auctions, and on Etsy.
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: To use a linen cocktail napkin as a receptacle for pits, toothpicks, or an unwanted bite. If possible, find a plate or another vessel, or excuse yourself for a moment to dispose of these items properly.
Time to host a party… cheers!
XX,
Holly
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