6 Ridiculously Simple Napkin Folding Ideas You Can't Screw Up (PHOTOS)

6 Napkin Folds You (Yes, You) Can't Screw Up

Thanksgiving is the one time of the year where we all make an effort, however half-hearted, at a civilized meal. It might be the one time of year that you bring out those cloth napkins that have been handed down from generation to generation. However, Great Grandma Elsie didn't count on our generation being the one that doesn't automatically know what to do with a linen napkin (aside from occasionally letting it fall off our laps by accident).

But maybe 2013 is the year of trying to live a more gracious life. At least for one day. If you're willing to spend an extra few minutes while you're setting the table/avoiding relatives, you can turn an ordinary napkin into a rose ... or a fan ... or a teeny-tiny shirt. These basic folds are easy enough not to frustrate you, while just impressive enough to slightly reverse your mother-in-law's opinion of you.

The Bishop's Hat
Flickr/DennisWong
A classic fold that will take you back to your cruise ship vacation of '09. Follow this YouTube tutorial for the how-to.
The Three-Pocket
Between Naps On The Porch
This idea also gives you a place to put all those forks and flowers. Visit Between Naps On The Porch for the tutorial.
The Rosette
The Stone Gable
Much easier than you'd think. Really, it's just an (artfully) rolled-up napkin. No ironing needed. Visit The Stone Gable for the full details.
The Kimono
100 Layer Cake
You won't even have to worry about setting a proper table with this one. 100 Layer Cake has the step-by-step.
The Collared Shirt
How About Orange
It was originally made for Father's Day, but hey, why not. How About Orange will show you how.
The Candle
Flickr/gematrium
So easy, we probably don't need to tell you how to do this. But we will: Just fold the napkin into a triangle, then roll. Stick the rolled napkin into a glass. Done. If you need pics, check out The Napkin Folding Guide (which indeed exists).

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Before You Go

Thanksgiving Recipes
Smoked Turkey(01 of45)
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Get the Smoked Turkey recipe from Chaos in the Kitchen (credit:Chaos in the Kitchen)
Pomegranate Rosemary Roasted Turkey(02 of45)
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Get the Pomegranate Rosemary Roasted Turkey recipe (credit:Tyler Florence)
Emeril's Turkey Roulade With Peach And Sage Gravy(03 of45)
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Slow-Roasted Herbed Turkey Breast(04 of45)
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Get the Slow-Roasted Herbed Turkey Breast recipe (credit:Quentin Bacon)
Michel Nischan’s Roast Turkey With Potato Pan Gravy(05 of45)
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Savory Leek Bread Pudding(06 of45)
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Pancetta And Sage Stuffing Muffins(07 of45)
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Sausage And Bread Stuffing(08 of45)
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Get the Recipe for Sausage and Bread Stuffing (credit:David Malosh/Food & Wine)
Smoky Chorizo Stuffing(09 of45)
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Get the Recipe for Smoky Chorizo Stuffing (credit:Con Poulos/Food & Wine)
Quinoa, Sweet Potato And Dried Cranberry Stuffing(10 of45)
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Sticky Rice Dressing(11 of45)
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Get the Recipe for Sticky Rice Dressing (credit:Con Poulos/Food & Wine)
Southwest Poblano And Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing(12 of45)
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Get the Southwest Poblano and Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Cream Gravy(13 of45)
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Get the Cream Gravy recipe from The Bitten Word (credit:The Bitten Word)
Miso Gravy(14 of45)
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Get the Miso Gravy recipe from The Woodside Kitchen (credit:The Woodside Kitchen)
Mashed Potatoes With Crispy Shallots(15 of45)
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Get the Mashed Potatoes with Crispy Shallots recipe (credit:Frances Janisch/Food&Wine)
Caramelized Scallion Mashed Potatoes(16 of45)
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Get the Caramelized Scallion Mashed Potatoes recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Sweet Potato Casserole(17 of45)
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Get the Sweet Potato Casserole recipe by Skinny Taste (credit:Skinny Taste)
Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulee(18 of45)
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Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes Brulee recipe by Skinny Taste (credit:Skinny Taste)
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes With Toasted Marshmallows(19 of45)
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Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Marshmallows recipe (credit:David Malosh/Food&Wine)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes And Fresh Figs(20 of45)
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Get the Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Fresh Figs recipe (credit:Jonathan Lovekin)
Sweet Potato Gratin(21 of45)
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Get the Sweet Potato Gratin recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Green Bean Casserole(22 of45)
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Get the Green Bean Casserole recipe by How Sweet Eats (credit:How Sweet Eats)
Mac And Cheese With Cauliflower(23 of45)
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Get the Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower recipe by Eat Yourself Skinny (credit:Eat Yourself Skinny)
Roasted Brussels Sprouts(24 of45)
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Get the Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe by Heart Mind and Seoul (credit:Heart Mind and Seoul)
Kale & Apple Salad With Pancetta And Candied Pecans(25 of45)
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Cauliflower Puree With Toasted Pine Nuts(26 of45)
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Get the Cauliflower Puree with Toasted Pine Nuts recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Pan-Roasted Cauliflower With Pine Nuts And Raisins(27 of45)
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Honey Mustard-Glazed Carrot Coins(28 of45)
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Get the Honey Mustard-Glazed Carrot Coins recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Classic Creamed Onions(29 of45)
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Get the Classic Creamed Onions recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Butternut Squash Wedges With Maple Butter(30 of45)
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Get the Butternut Squash Wedges with Maple Butter recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Maple Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce(31 of45)
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Get the Maple Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce recipe by Family Fresh Cooking (credit:Family Fresh Cooking)
Apple Cranberry Chutney(32 of45)
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Get the Apple Cranberry Chutney recipe by Simply Recipes (credit:Simply Recipes)
Jellied Cranberry Sauce With Fuji Apple(33 of45)
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Get the Jellied Cranberry Sauce with Fuji Apple recipe (credit:Frances Janisch/Food & Wine)
Old-Fashioned Southern Biscuits(34 of45)
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Get the Old-Fashioned Southern Biscuits recipe (credit:Ray Kachatorian)
Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie(35 of45)
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Get the Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie recipe by Simply Recipes (credit:Simply Recipes)
Deep Dish Apple Cranberry Pie(36 of45)
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Get the Deep Dish Apple Cranberry Pie recipe by Made From Scratch Recipes (credit:Made From Scratch Recipes)
Nana Frances’s Chocolate Chess Pie(37 of45)
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Get the Nana Frances’s Chocolate Chess Pie recipe by Ezra Pound Cake (credit:Ezra Pound Cake)
Candy Apple Pie(38 of45)
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Get the Candy Apple Pie recipe by Ezra Pound Cake (credit:Ezra Pound Cake)
Maple Pecan Pie(39 of45)
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Get the Maple Pecan Pie recipe by Post Punk Kitchen (credit:Post Punk Kitchen)
Chocolate Dipped Pears With Almond Crunch(40 of45)
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Get the Chocolate Dipped Pears with Almond Crunch recipe by Bakers Royale (credit:Bakers Royale)
Upside Down Saffron Pear Cake(41 of45)
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Get the Upside Down Saffron Pear Cake recipe by The Marion House Book (credit:Sian Richards)
Harvest Cake With Grapes And Sangiovese Syrup(42 of45)
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Get the Harvest Cake with Grapes and Sangiovese Syrup recipe (credit:Coral Von Zumwalt/Food & Wine)
Brown Butter-Cranberry Tart(43 of45)
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Get the Brown Butter-Cranberry Tart recipe (credit:Con Poulos/Food&Wine)
Apple Bread Pudding(44 of45)
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Get the Apple Bread Pudding recipe (credit:Anson Smart/Food&Wine)
Maple-Apple Upside-Down Cake(45 of45)
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Get the Maple-Apple Upside-Down Cake recipe (credit:Con Poulos/Food & Wine)

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