With New Year's Eve approaching and many of us dusting off our crowns and steaming our chiffon in anticipation of the night's events, it's time we discuss the time honoured tradition of napkin folding for the evening's event.
This particular napkin folding is suitable for any occasion but especially shines at formal events like the one coming up in a few nights.
There are 2 things you can do in life that will make you look more accomplished and generally "better" than you really are.
Firstly, if you're giving a gift that's kindda crappy you should always spend as much time as possible wrapping it. Use beautiful paper, silk ribbon and fresh flowers ... anything to make the gift look better than it is.
Pretty packaging almost always fools us into thinking that what's inside is better than it really is. Which is how beautiful celebrities get away with being asshats.
Secondly, if you can't cook, make sure your dinner table is dressed to the nines. Again ... it's all in the packaging.
If what you're eating is presented beautifully, on a perfectly laid table, chances are you won't notice the food tastes like 15 year old shag carpeting.
One easy way to improve the look of your dinner table is to take part in the good, old fashioned tradition of napkin folding. It might seem a bit intimidating but it really isn't. With a bit of guidance and a big napkin, you too can fold a napkin. And therefore, you too can fool everyone into thinking your cooking is terrific!
Don't be a chicken. There's nothing to be frightened of ... you can do it in 1 minute flat ... take a look.
How to fold a common dinner napkin into the shape of an elegant dead chicken is one of those capabilities we should all have tucked in our back pocket. It's a skill you can pull out at any time to impress friends and family.
If for some unfathomable reason you don't think a dead chicken is the direction you want to go with your dinner party, you can opt for folding your napkin a significantly blander way.
Here's my tutorial on how to fold a napkin like a tuxedo jacket.
Although really, I can't imagine any occasion that wouldn't benefit from a dead chicken napkin.
Deb from Maryland
OMG! I just breezed on past the title and was anxiously waiting for a wonderful schmancy object to appear. When it popped into a chicken I was floored and this is why I follow you. LOL
KimS
Agree 100% I got a huge laugh about this!!
Kathy Hartzell
Oh, Karen, thank you so much for the easy instructions for the napkin chicken. I used to do this to the embarrassment of my family every time we went out to eat - home napkins were always too small. Then I forgot how to do it. Even tried yesterday, believe it or not, but failed. I was attempting something on the diagonal. In any event, you’ve guaranteed that I’ll be the life of the party, someday, once again!
By the way, our co-op parents group was taught this in a pre-school seminar back in 1990 by Bev Boz, a noted early childhood educator from Sacramento, CA.
Mary W
Surprise! You just defined the word spectacularly! I love the chicken so much.
Randy P
And to think, all these years I've just been placing a piece next to the plate as they come off the paper towel roll. Like some kind of Neanderthal loser, or even worse an asshat celebrity. Thanks for sharing the technique. And wishing you nought but the best in the coming year. I bid you peace, love, health, happiness and prosperity in 2024 and beyond.
Laura
That was SO Freakin' Hilarious! I was not expecting that ... you're my new best friend. Hope you love being cyber stalked. LoL. : )
Karen
Nice to meet you Laura. I think. :) ~ karen
Dee
I've only just discovered your fantastic website Karen and had to say THANKS for the huge belly laugh. I love your (wicked) sense of humour, right up my alley!
Cheers
Dee :)
(Australia)
Marti
savage sense of humor
Karen
Yes m'am! ~ karen
Diana
Girl, you kill me! :D
Well before I became a makeup artist, I worked for a few catering companies as a server and learned how to fold a napkin into just about anything you can imagine.
When we finally meet (and I hope it's soon!), remind me to show you the napkin I learned to fold for an Xtra event. ;)
Marsh
OMG! Karen I laughed so hard and so long my boys thought I was going to die. I had to post it to my facebook friends and can't stop thinking of who else I can send this to. Too too funny. I love you, girl.
Karen
Marsh - Thanks for the compliment and the Facebook post! Off to think of other funny things. ~ karen
Katrina
That also kinda looked like something else... but that's a whole nether topic... bu-dum-dum!
dana
Karen, thank you for graciously providing me with the answer to my Easter question: "How can I entertain my guests while we are awaiting our feast?"
Which happens to be...chicken! We shall view your video on the 52" flatscreen and create our own homage to the Easter Poultry.
Further, I can teach you how to make a "Bar Crab". And it's not what you think, so get your mind out of the gutter.
First, open a bar napkin and twist its corners until they resemble the hand-made bugger-catching Kleenexes of our youth.
Procure a lemon, and place the napkin over it. Shape it around the fruit. Then--WHEEEEE! Send it careening crab-like down the length of the bar!
And you're welcome. xo
Lisa
LOL! The sick part of me wants to fold my napkins like this while throwing a dinner party for vegitarians.
You're the best Karen!
TucsonPatty
I, a vegetarian, would personally think this is hilarious if I saw it on my plate! Do it. Carve a block of tofu into the same shape! 😂 (disclaimer: you cannot carve that tasteless stuff into anything but slices and cubes.) People truly think we vegetarians eat tofu as is. NOT! It is a tasteless, weird-textured foodstuff. You will need to dress it up with many spices to make it edible.)
I think that would be a funny dinner party. If they are offended - you don’t need those friends! ❤️✌️😂
Karen
I love tofu!😆 And I am, as you know, not a vegetarian. ~ karen!
Alicia
Haha! See, and here I was thinking you were just bringing back more porn. Before I saw the "chicken" it totally looked like a vagina to me. LMAO!
Shauna
ARGH! I think my work is blocking the video because all I see is blank space in this post where a video most surely should be.
Karen
Shauna - It's true. Your workplace is blocking my hilarious and educational video. Watch it at home if you can. ~ karen!
Angela N
Hilarious!!
Shevon
Bwahahahaha! Love it. Whenever I have a real whole chicken I usually make it dance for the kids. I'm gonna do this for them because it will take a lot less hand sanitizer afterward!!!
Ana
You videos are my faves!!
Amy in StL
I'm wondering if I can do this with paper napkins. Oh, I plan on finding out!
In fact, with Easter weekend coming up I'll probably be the last one in the office. I think that means I have to make one of these for each chair at our conference/lunch table and leave them there for the early birds on Monday morning.
Zom G.
Fancy + Comedy = The Art of Doing Stuff is now my favorite.
Love,
Z
Karen
Thanks Zom! I liked your Ageing Gracefully post. :) ~ karen
Zom G.
Oh, thanks!
I'm pretty sure I don't share those magic aging genes, but heck, wishing hurts not-at-all.
Chicken napkin folding, however, hurts a ton. Those laugh lines are gonna SHOW.
Angela Giampietri
Omg I am laughing my ass off right now!!!