Your Holiday Table

Your holiday table is a place to gather, not only for a wonderful meal, but to express gratitude, good will, and happiness amongst the friends and family members seated there.

It is a place of upbeat and lively conversation. And a time for celebration!

Preparing for such a gathering takes a lot of work. As the host, you are not only in charge of the menu, but for readying the table for guests to enjoy themselves in a convivial and festive setting.

Holiday Table Preparations

Before setting the table or arranging a centerpiece, you need to know how the meal will proceed.

Will food be served, passed around family-style, or as a buffet?

How many courses will be served? This determines the space each place setting will take and, therefore, how much space is left for decoration.

Remember that centerpieces should be low enough that guests can still make eye contact across the table. If your guest list is made up of adults, a centerpiece that is 7-8 inches high is usually comfortable.

Think about where you want everyone to sit. Unless you have place cards set, you will need to direct guests on where to sit.

Set Expectations with Guests

It's your table - and your rules. Make sure your guests know what is expected of them.

Mobile devices are strongly discouraged at the holiday table. Or any table.

If you, or a guest, have a pet present that might disrupt the meal, provide a space for the pet outside of the dining area.

If past experience gives a clue that a certain guest may say something outlandish or offensive, privately have a little chat with them ahead of time.

Beginning the Meal

The general etiquette rule is that the meal begins when the host places her napkin in her lap. But, as the host, there are a few preliminary steps you may need to take first.

Call your guests to be seated all together.

When you call guests to be seated, you may also want to mention if a prayer or toast will take place before the meal begins. "Please, everyone come be seated, and I've asked Richard to say a blessing before we begin eating."

If food is passed around the table, you should indicate how. Yes, the standard direction is to the right, but some guests may get so excited about the food that they forget this detail. "Everyone, help yourselves to a dish and let's all pass to the right."

Dessert and Beyond

How will dessert be served? Will you continue with this final course at the table, or have everyone move to another room for dessert?

Establish a system for clean-up. And let your guests in on your plan. "Please leave your places as they are. I have dessert and coffee set up for us in the living room." Or, "Let's take a breather after our huge dinner. Please take your plate into the kitchen and leave it on the counter. Then on your way back, stop and get your dessert on the buffet."

No matter which holiday you're celebrating with friends and family, preparing and setting expectations with your guests will help everything run more smoothly.

And those who are privileged to gather at your holiday table are sure to leave it with many fond memories.