To fold napkins for Thanksgiving, start with a pressed cloth napkin and pick one or two simple folds: a rectangle or band that kids can help with, and a pocket fold that can hold a place card or flatware. You do not need a complicated turkey fold for the table to feel finished. For the rest of the place setting, see how to set a Thanksgiving table. For the centerpiece and runner, see how to decorate a Thanksgiving table. For cards that slip into a pocket fold, see how to make Thanksgiving place cards. More table help is in Thanksgiving table, drinks and activities guide and the Thanksgiving guide.
Start with a kid-friendly rectangle or band
Use a square cloth napkin, ironed if you can, in a color that already appears in the runner or flowers. For the easiest fold, lay the napkin face down, fold it in half into a rectangle, then fold it in half again into a long band. Set the band across the plate, or under the fork and knife. Kids can do this one with almost no coaching, and a slightly uneven fold still looks like cloth, not a craft fail. If you have napkin rings, slide the band through a ring and stand it on the plate. Skip anything with candles or tiny pieces at the kids’ table. Fold the napkins the morning of Thanksgiving, or the night before, and stack them under a clean towel so they do not wilt. If a napkin is badly wrinkled, a quick steam from an iron or a damp press is worth the minute; a crisp cloth makes even a two-fold band look intentional.
Add a pocket fold for a place card or flatware
For a pocket fold, start with the napkin face down. Fold it in half from bottom to top, then in half again from left to right, so you have a smaller square. Rotate it so the open edges face down and to the right, then fold the top layer of the right-hand edge back to the left in two or three even turns, tucking to make a pocket. Flip the napkin over and fold the sides back to make a tidy rectangle, then turn it so the pocket faces up. Slip a blank or written place card into the pocket, or tuck in the fork and knife. Keep the fold low and simple so it does not fight a tall centerpiece. Set all the napkins the same way on the adults’ table, and use the easier band fold at the kids’ table.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special turkey-shaped fold?
No. A rectangle or pocket fold is enough, and it is faster when you are setting a long table.
Which fold is easy enough for kids?
The rectangle or band fold. They fold the napkin in half twice and lay it on the plate or under the silverware.
Cloth or paper?
Cloth looks finished and can be folded. Paper is fine for a kids’ table or a very large crowd; keep those folds even simpler.