Setting the Table Through the Ages: The Evolution of Entertaining

Throughout history, humans have gathered to celebrate. Around fires, banquet tables, and kitchen islands, we’ve come together to share food, stories, and connection.  

As culture, style, and technology have evolved, so too has the art of entertaining. And while the form may look different today, the heart of it remains the same: the desire to make others feel welcome, to offer them a seat at a thoughtfully set table, and to create moments that linger long after the last bite. 

At Coton Colors, we celebrate this evolution. With serving pieces that bring charm, dinnerware that mixes form with function, and designs that invite creativity, we help modern hosts embrace the art of entertaining in their own way. Whether you’re setting a holiday table for twelve or sharing takeout on your favorite platter, every gathering holds the potential to become something beautiful. 

So, how did we arrive at this seat at today’s table? Let’s take a look back at the history of entertaining and how it’s changed through the ages. 

Early History: Communal Gatherings and Celebrations 

Entertaining Then 

Long before flatware, florals, or even furniture, there was the instinct to gather. Around fires and under stars, early humans came together to share food, mark the changing of seasons, and build connections. A sign of community, they celebrated the hunt and the harvest with gatherings centered around survival and togetherness. 

Once we shifted from wandering as hunter-gatherers to cultivating legumes and grains, we began to settle, and with that came communal feasts that signaled important moments and helped shape early civilizations. 

Timeless Truths 

Though the settings during early history were humble, the sentiment was powerful: we gather to mark time, to honor abundance, and to feel a sense of belonging.  

At Coton Colors… 

We see every shared table as a modern expression of that same ancient instinct. Whether it’s an everyday dinner or a spontaneous get-together, our pieces help make each moment feel grounded in connection. 

Medieval & Renaissance Era: Societal Class, Elaborate Banquets, and Feasts 

Entertaining Then 

As civilizations grew and societal hierarchies emerged, entertaining became a performance of power. In the grand halls of medieval castles and Renaissance courts, feasts stretched for hours, sometimes days, and were filled with elaborate courses, symbolic serving vessels like goblets and tankards, theatrical elements, and structured seating arrangements. Hosting was as much about impression as it was about nourishment. 

Timeless Truths 

This era laid the foundation for many modern hosting customs, from assigned seating to multi-course meals. It also introduced the idea that presentation matters and that serving vessels bring life to the table and enhance the overall dining experience. 

At Coton Colors… 

While today’s celebrations may be more relaxed, the intention behind them remains. Whether you’re styling a tablescape with our hand-painted trays or layering textures with linen napkins, Coton Colors helps modern hosts bring a sense of beauty and occasion to every gathering, without the need for royal etiquette. 

18th & 19th Centuries: The Introduction of Tableware and Serving Pieces 

Entertaining Then 

As industrialization brought more resources into homes, the 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of formal dining. Middle-class families began investing in China patterns, silver sets, and coordinated place settings. The table became a way to express personality and pride, and entertaining became both a domestic art and a social expectation. As formal entertaining entered the home, the idea of “personal style” at the table began to take shape.  

Timeless Truths 

The idea of the "well-set table" became central to hosting and it still is. Thoughtfully chosen pieces, coordinated designs, and meaningful accents continue to speak volumes about the care we put into gathering. 

At Coton Colors… 

That tradition continues today with our versatile collections—we design pieces that can be layered, coordinated, and reinvented, allowing every host to tell their own story through the table they set. 

20th Century: Cultural Trends Meet the Rise of Convenience 

Entertaining Then 

The 20th century brought cultural transformation, from the postwar boom to the feminist movement. Entertaining became more casual, more eclectic, and more inventive. Tupperware, fondue pots, TV dinners, and convenience foods redefined what a party could look like. Gender roles shifted, and with them, so did the way we hosted. 

Timeless Truths 

As entertaining became more casual, creativity, flexibility, and practicality became hallmarks of entertaining yet its purpose remained the same: to gather, to delight, and to share.  

At Coton Colors… 

It’s here that the our philosophy finds its roots: thoughtful entertaining doesn’t have to be intimidating. And though hosting might not always be effortless, with the right tools, it can be joyful, expressive, and uniquely yours. 

Today’s Table: Personal, Purposeful, and Shared Online 

Entertaining Then 

On today’s table, modern entertaining is anything but one-size-fits-all. One host builds Pinterest boards for their themed garden party; another pours wine into stemless glasses for a spontaneous pizza night with friends. Both are acts of love, and both are wonderful in their own way. What defines today’s table is intention: we want our gatherings to reflect who we are, what we love, and the people we cherish.  

Timeless Truths 

From intimate brunches to milestone celebrations, the heart of hosting now lives in the details—be it the personalized place cards, the curated stack of dinnerware, or the shared morning coffee in your favorite scalloped mug. Entertaining is often shared online, and though social media has brought both inspiration and comparison, it's also expanded the ways we share joy and creativity with others. In a world that moves fast, setting a table becomes a small act of slowing down, of savoring time and connection. 

At Coton Colors… 

That’s why we design collections that are flexible and fun, made for the host who loves to play, layer, and personalize. Want to use a traditional tray as a chic centerpiece? Or pair a casual dinnerware plate with a dressy charger? We say: go for it. There are no rules in the art of entertaining, only ways to make it your own.

Gathering, Then and Now 

Across the centuries, the way we entertain has changed, but the reasons we gather have not. We come together to connect. To celebrate. And to create memories that last long after the dishes are cleared. 

At Coton Colors, our mission is to help make those moments as beautiful as they are meaningful, so you never miss a chance to celebrate the everyday. 

Whether you're just beginning to build your entertaining style or looking to bring fresh energy to your favorite traditions, remember this: throughout history, the most memorable tables haven’t been perfect—they’ve been personal.