Whether you're entertaining the same old friends, serving a weeknight dinner for your sweetheart, or feeding new pals, it's always nice to switch up your tabletop décor. One of the most affordable ways to do so is with placemats. Growing up, my mother always had a vast collection of placemats, which made setting the table each night more of a pleasure than a tedious task. So, I thought Read more

Do you know the capitals of all 50 states? I'm guessing the chances are slim. You may have at one time and will again when your tot reaches third grade and must know them by heart. Help him along with these magical Kikkerland US Placemats ($13). If you want to keep them for longer than one meal, laminate them and keep them for future dinners, craft projects, or family geography lessons. A tad Read more

You may not enjoy the scent of cow manure or the sound of a rooster's crow at the break of dawn, but you can still bring a little farm life into your home without counting Babe as one of your dependents. Velocity has introduced Simrin Farmyard Placemats ($36) into its collection of fashionable table linens, and I think they're just the thing to give us all a taste of the old days, short of Read more

The Petek Guven Mr. Casual Placemat ($49) and Miss Noble Placemat ($49) are two cheeky characters well-trained in etiquette, who'll give your guests a good laugh before they're served the first course. Each placemat has two slits on each side which work as fork and knife holders; so unfortunately, the placemats cannot accommodate the silverware required for a seven course meal. I love how Mr. Read more

Much like shoes and handbags, you can never have too many placemats — or any table linens, for that matter. They're simply an effortless accessory that dresses your dining room up or down. Inviting the parents over? Go classic with simple white, perhaps a monogram. Having a casual brunch with friends? Try the Elsewares French Floral Placemats ($19.99, reduced from $26). Their bold poppy print Read more

I'm always looking for a cute birthday present that can be my standard gift for the year. When someone recently gifted my friend's son a few personalized placemats from Olive Kids ($10 each), I knew I found a winner. With more than 40 designs, including popular holidays and traditional boy and girl themes, each heavy-duty laminated placemat is personalized with a child's name. The themes have Read more