How to Prepare a Thanksgiving Dinner Sitting Arrangement

Male: When it comes to holiday entertaining it’s important to see your dinning area through different eyes. Look carefully at your house. What would work better full serve or self serve? Well, most folks prefer the family style sit-down dinner. Some experts say buffet is best.

Peter Post: If you’ve got more than one table you may find that the buffet works better.

Male: In either case, no one wants a free for all rush to find a seat and even auntie Edna has sat in the same place since 1960 you can avoid confusion and mixed it up a little with good old fashion name cards.

Peter Post: I think the most common mistake that people will make is not to take the time to think about where and how people sit. In our house one of the things that we’ve done is over the years collected name tags at the end of the meal there are memories for us there are memories for the people who come.

Male: Some rules at top, never seats spouses together. Seat the guest of honor for example your mother-in-law to the right of the host and always paired talkers with listeners.

Peter Post: You’ve really needed to think about it. The worst thing possible with the seat, oil and vinegar next to each other two people who simply don’t get along at all.

Male: And the kids table, practical.

Peter Post: I don’t believe in children’s tables. I believe it’s really important for the children to be spread around the table just as the adults are and be engaged in conversation just as the adults are. Treat them the same don’t treat them a second class citizens.

Male: While most of us remember mom’s instructions on setting the table, here is refresher course on setting it properly for a formal meal.

Peter Post: Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. If you want to put desert stuff on the table put the desert fork and spoon over the top of the plate. Around the immediate place setting you have glasses. Remember you bread plates on the left, the glasses are on the right.

Male: Now, you’re all set for a fabulous holiday dinner. So put another log on the fire and let the celebration begin.