One of the main joys of the holidays is the chance to get together with family and friends and enjoy each other's company, right? So don't let a little thing like lack of space discourage you from inviting all your whole gang of loved ones over. Here are some helpful tricks for getting everyone to gather 'round.
How to: Fit 12 at a Table for 8
Domino Magazine
And don't worry, these tips work for those of us who only have a table for four, too. Just focus on keeping the menu to a minimum (less serving dishes to clutter the table) and arranging the chairs to find those hidden pockets of extra space (usually at the ends of the table). We'll add this suggestion to the article: if you don't have a buffet or console, keep a bar cart nearby to hold any spill-over from the table. It can hold your carafes or condiments once everyone's been served, providing a bit more elbow room in the process. And if push comes to shove (though hopefully not literally), have a few bottles of spirits on said cart to keep everyone in a festive spirit, no matter how cramped.
View the full article here.
Comments (9)
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We have a folding card table that we use to expand our regular table. It's more comfortable than squeezing. And if you don't have room for one, probably someone you know has one.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
We always use benches instead of chairs whenever possible - you can squeeze much closer together than if each person has his own chair. Piano benches work well.
view spossberg's profile
I reallllly hate being crowded at a table while I eat, even if it's with family or friends.
view Monica's profile
Nobody likes this. Know your capacity before you go in. That's how you make it festive.
view K T G's profile
The more people at the table the less you can put on the table. Skip multiple glasses, butter plates, etc. But yeah, better off not to crowd and get an extra table.
view kimg924's profile
I'm left handed and it's really awkward to be packed too closely to a righty.
Overcrowding isn't festive, and getting people drunk doesn't alleviate the pressure of being cramped at a table.
view gordon's profile
I'm a lefty too, and I always make sure to strategically place myself at a left corner (usually announcing that I'm left-handed) so that I don't annoy everyone. We do two things at Thanksgiving - have a folding card table that we add on to the dining table for more room, and we serve all food buffet-style, so that there are no serving dishes in the dining room at all. Plus, it allows for more mingling.
view sam1's profile
I have 3 pieces of plywood nailed together which I put on top of my smaller very sturdy table and just add a tablecloth and more chairs!!
see:
http://www.31islandview.com/images/416_31islandviewwhitekitchendiningbest.jpg
view parrishnut's profile
parrishnut's suggestion is the best option. Id only suggest that instead of nails, use metal closures, like on old-school camp trunks. you can store it in smaller pieces and connect them when they are in place. (the clasps would be located on the underside of the wood in the area between the edge of your table and the edge of the panel.)
view teeze's profile