Holiday Seating Tips

One challenge for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners is providing adequate seating for friends and family. Gathering the group to one common area is an important aspect of holiday events; bringing everyone eye to eye to reconnect on many levels. There aren't many dining tables long enough to hold a large family, even with a leaf or two. TV trays and bar stools work, but spread the family all over the house. To bring everyone together try these ideas.

Rent Tables and Chairs for the Holiday

Renting tables and chairs for a day is relatively inexpensive. The tables can be lined up end to end for a long "last supper" arrangement or in a horseshoe shape. Round tables can be rented too, providing seating for 8-10 people per table. 8-foot rectangular tables or 60-inch round tables can be rented for one day for around $10.00 each. Folding chairs rent from $.75 (non-perfect metal folding chairs) to $2.00 (white resin folding chairs.) So, to sit a group of thirty, the total rental cost would be under $100.00. Delivery is usually available for another $50.00 to $100.00, depending on the delivery distance.

Phoenix residents: Read my article, "Where to Rent Tables and Chairs in the Phoenix Area".

Use Doors or Plywood for Holiday Tables

An economical idea to expand seating, is to remove a door or two from the home and rest on saw horses for tables. One large sheet of plywood can be cut to create several tabletops too (Home Depot will make two cuts for free). Have the family BYOC(chairs) or supplement available chairs with some rentals.

Group Smaller Tables Cafe Style

A cozy way to set up the dining area is to group smaller tables that seat four people, cafe style, close to one another. Patio tables, card tables, etc. work well for this. If this looks too choppy, two small tables can be put together to sit six per grouping. While conversation focuses on each smaller group, it is still possible to overhear each other and share conversation across tables. Add a few market umbrellas and your guests will be transported to a bistro for the holiday dinner!

Table Coverings for Large Holiday Tables

It doesn't really matter whether the table underneath is a banquet rental or a piece of plywood once it is covered by a festive table topper. An easy, thrifty way to cover large expanses of tabletop is to use sheets. Look for bargains at the discount and factory stores in holiday prints or colors. Alternatively (albeit less festive) a roll of plastic sheeting would work and makes cleanup easy.

Now your whole family or group of friends can sit together for this once-a-year holiday dining event! And for every holiday host or hostess: I hope you'll focus on the positive and count your blessings, tell your family and friends how much they mean to you, and have a happy and healthy holiday season this year!

Related Holiday Reading:
Where to Rent Tables and Chairs for the Holidays in the Phoenix Area
How to Display Party Food
Calorie Burning Activities for the Holidays
Calories in a Holiday Turkey Dinner
Eight Solutions for Holiday Dilemmas

Resources:

ThankQ Rentals Website

ABC Rentals Websbite

Tri-Rentals Website