Re: Holiday table seating question

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

Just pass around appetizers for a Christmas meal?

No, if she wants to do that, break tradition and do it for Christmas Eve then she can have Christmas dinner all alone at her big table.

LindaSal · ‎05-15-2014

I no longer have a big crowd for Thanksgiving but when I did I always had another table set up. Really you are only seated in one spot to enjoy the meal and afterwards everyone mingles. It's the hostess's obligation to make her company comfortable, IMO.

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

@CelticCrafter wrote:
Just pass around appetizers for a Christmas meal?

No, if she wants to do that, break tradition and do it for Christmas Eve then she can have Christmas dinner all alone at her big table.

Given the complaints and judgment - maybe she would prefer that.

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@Isobel Archer wrote:
We have a dining room table that with both leaves can seat 22. I would also be happy to set up card tables.

What I don't like however, is when people - who are not hosting - want to complain that the people who are - aren't doing it to their satisfaction.

Maybe the OP should offer to host instead, since show obviously knows how to do it properly.

@Isobel Archer, the OP stated: So, she thought she would opt out of a meal and just have walking around appetizers---For Christmas dinner, perhaps one of the best meals of the year.

Out of curiosity what would your feelings be if invited to "Christmas dinner" and ended up being served "walking around appetizers"?

Christmas dinner is a far cry from what would essentially be a gathering more like a cocktail party. It would be one thing if that was made clear but is another if one is expecting dinner.

The eyes through which you see others may be the same as how they see you.

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

@Marp wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
We have a dining room table that with both leaves can seat 22. I would also be happy to set up card tables.

What I don't like however, is when people - who are not hosting - want to complain that the people who are - aren't doing it to their satisfaction.

Maybe the OP should offer to host instead, since show obviously knows how to do it properly.
@Isobel Archer, the OP stated: So, she thought she would opt out of a meal and just have walking around appetizers---For Christmas dinner, perhaps one of the best meals of the year.

Out of curiosity what would your feelings be if invited to "Christmas dinner" and ended up being served "walking around appetizers"?

Christmas dinner is a far cry from what would essentially be a gathering more like a cocktail party. It would be one thing if that was made clear but is another if one is expecting dinner.

@Marp I would be grateful to be invited. If I felt that I had to have a large Christmas dinner, I would offer to host it myself - and I do that - Christmas and Thanksgiving - 22 people - full meal, appetizers and dessert, drinks - the whole thing.

Instead of "expecting" others to do all the work, I am grateful for what they offer. And in this case, it is clear what is offered so it would not be a surprise when guests arrived.

Neetgal2 · ‎02-12-2016

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

The other thing I don't understand is that apparently the sister has now agreed to set up another table and do the full dinner.

So what, exactly, is the point of now bashing her on this thread?

Neetgal2 · ‎02-12-2016

I saw a situation of a big family dinner early on. I had a nice dining room table with two extension leaves. Someone made me a third, although not the size of the others just that would fit in the space. I also had the opening archway between the living room and dining room widen so I could accommodate everyone at one table. Eventually, we outgrew it. We sat the three grandchildren further out in the living room at first a child's table, then a card table. Now it's at the point everybody is everywhere and we no longer do this and the family has shrunk in size .☹️🍽️

50Mickey · ‎05-21-2010

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@Marp wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
We have a dining room table that with both leaves can seat 22. I would also be happy to set up card tables.

What I don't like however, is when people - who are not hosting - want to complain that the people who are - aren't doing it to their satisfaction.

Maybe the OP should offer to host instead, since show obviously knows how to do it properly.
@Isobel Archer, the OP stated: So, she thought she would opt out of a meal and just have walking around appetizers---For Christmas dinner, perhaps one of the best meals of the year.

Out of curiosity what would your feelings be if invited to "Christmas dinner" and ended up being served "walking around appetizers"?

Christmas dinner is a far cry from what would essentially be a gathering more like a cocktail party. It would be one thing if that was made clear but is another if one is expecting dinner.
@Marp I would be grateful to be invited. If I felt that I had to have a large Christmas dinner, I would offer to host it myself - and I do that - Christmas and Thanksgiving - 22 people - full meal, appetizers and dessert, drinks - the whole thing.

Instead of "expecting" others to do all the work, I am grateful for what they offer. And in this case, it is clear what is offered so it would not be a surprise when guests arrived.

@Isobel Archer Isn't it funny how the people who are not hosting the event always want to set the rules and tell the host how and what to serve for the event? If someone invites me to their home I am fine with whatever is being served, walking around or seated. If I expect things to be done my way then I host the event. And I've done this many times.