I’ve always loved using fabric napkins. Somehow using linen over paper makes even the simplest meal so much more civilized.

Many a day when working in corporate america, I would pack a set of flatware and a linen napkin in my lunch bag. Doing so reminded me of the importance of pausing and enjoying a meal (which is so hard to do with the hurried pace at which so many of us live) and made even a modest sandwich or salad taste like a treat.

I also prefer using fabric napkins to paper ones at home for weeknight dinners and often keep them in napkin rings. I am not always a fan of napkin rings, but there are some beautiful ones out there and they actually serve a very practical purpose — one that is rooted in history.

Suzanne Von Drachenfels, author of The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware, writes of napkin rings:

“Before the washing machine and dryer eased and enhanced our lives, fabric napkins were laundered by hand. To conserve time and energy, at family meals napkins were enclosed in a personal ring, often made of silver, an accessory that identified the napkin for reuse.”

With increasing attention on sustainable living and eco-sensitive practices, even the smallest change we make in our household can have a big effect on our world at large. Why not consider using fabric rather than paper napkins for dinner? Select a unique napkin ring for each family member to help distinguish whose napkin is whose. (Just don’t forget to wash the napkins regularly!)

Use a mixed-and-matched set of napkin rings or have a set monogrammed with the initials of each family member.

These are perfect for identifying whose napkin is whose; I adore the chalkboard element!

Chalkboard Napkin Rings from MoMA Store

For the luxurious home table, incorporate these into your mix-and-match napkin set.

Villa Palladio Napkin Rings from Geary's

Inspired by nature, these pearl shell napkin rings from Crate & Barrel come in three different colors, making it easier to assign one napkin ring to each family member.

Pearl Shell Napkin Rings from Crate & Barrel

I love Kim Seybert’s designs and these coral napkin rings (available in a variety of colors) are a perfect way to reflect the popular coral trend:

Kim Seybert's Coral Branch Napkin Rings

Let’s face it, any of the choices from L’Objet would be a fabulous addition to any table, but here’s a sampling available through Neiman Marcus:

Gold-plated napkin rings from L'Objet, available at Neiman Marcus