Linen cocktail napkins are easily accessible when placed in my silver toast caddy. My mother-in-law brought these back to me as a gift from one of her many trips to England.
Mummy always said that paper napkins are for picnics, linen napkins are for lovely guests! She advised me to offer linen cocktail napkins to guests when serving drinks at any time of the day. This accessory may seem retro to you, but they announce "Party!" to me! You will also be going green quite elegantly by reusing your linen cocktail napkins for future events, versus just throwing paper ones out. I estimate about two cocktail napkins per guest: one for drinks and another to be passed along with an hors d’oeuvres.
For me, it is a delight to discover precious new linen designs. The design can be an opportunity to show your personal style, and can also become a conversation piece. Cocktail napkins can be whimsical with cute embroidery or a clever saying. Mummy had little ones that had 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... link.
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Cocktail napkins can be customized easily with the design of amusing objects to reflect your interests (horses for me!), or more formal in plain white. It can be such a joy to collect a myriad of cocktail napkins for various occasions from holidays to room color schemes. My predominant justification is "just because they are pretty!"
After an event, it’s also an honour to receive one back in the mail from a guest! Gentlemen have a propensity to pop them in their pocket at some point at cocktail hour. I imagine it’s because it feels like using a handkerchief which naturally goes back in the pocket. They are always sheepishly embarrassed to have "lifted" one of my napkins. I reassure them that it is a high compliment that they liked them so much to have taken one!
Millennial Tip
Purchasing darling linen cocktail napkins can be simple. Find elegant linen cocktail napkins at linen and upscale gift stores, auctions, and even eBay. Opt to have some custom embroidered with your initials or to match a motif in your house. Give them as a hostess gift. I positively adore receiving them as one can never have too many! A darling linen cocktail napkin can be framed as art also!
In my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, page 103, I discuss cocktail napkins and how to clean them... link
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: As a guest, to use a linen cocktail napkin for a receptacle of pits, toothpicks, or an unwanted bite of something served to you! Find a plate or a place to dispose of these items properly.