Family Dinner

Manner Monday: Comfortable Conversation at the Dinner Table

Published November 21, 2011 | By Host

We’ve all been there. The family (Aunt, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents – and the one’s you see only once a year) … gathered together for a special celebration such as Thanksgiving, when the conversation turns sour and leaves everyone wiggling in their chair wishing they were someplace else. We all know there’s no way to guarantee comfortable conversation, but there are some things you can do to steer it in the right direction.

Assigned seating: It helps to take the guess work out of where everyone will sit and you’re also able to corral “Uncle Tom” between you and your sister… who will be able to help you keep him in check.

Place Cards: You can use something as simple as a piece of card stock, or you can do something fun such as a pinecone with the persons name tied to it with construction paper or ribbon. You can also do something a bit more special such as a mini picture frame with your guest’s name, or photo, in it that they can take home with them as cherished memento. If you have a little one, have them get in on the place card task; they love being included and can add an artistic touch that everyone will appreciate.

Conversation starters: Another benefit of place cards, you can place a question on each place card that helps to get the conversation going. Planting questions is a fabulous way to get the family talking and to share stories from ‘days gone by’ and create wonderful family memories you will treasure for a lifetime.

Here are some sample questions:

Tell us about your favorite childhood Thanksgiving memory.
What was life like before Cell Phones and VCRs?
What are you most thankful for this year?
What is your most memorable school picture?
What special childhood memory do you have of a family member who is no longer with us?
What luxuries do you take for granted and why are you thankful for them?
Which teacher were you most grateful for?
What is your favorite memory from grade school?
How did you meet? Tell us about your first date. (This is a great one for the Grandparents.)
What family recipe reminds you of something special?
Tell about a time when you were reminded “it’s better to give than receive”.
Thinking of the pilgrims and their adventure, what do you think it would be like to leave everyone and everything behind and move to a new country…without a job secured?
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your life?
What do you appreciate most about the person on your right?

As people are answering their questions, think of saying things such as “tell us more” instead of cutting them short to share your version or answer.

Tech check: (You knew I’d include this one!) Turn the TV off and leave your cell phone at the front door (or in the car). Take this time to focus on your family and the conversation, not your technology.

What are your tricks to keeping the conversation comfortable at your Thanksgiving table? Please leave a comment below to share your tips and stories. I’ll be giving away a Manner Monday placemat to a lucky winner who leaves a comment or shares a story from their Thanksgiving dinner. I will randomly draw the winning name on Monday, November 28.

Happy Thanksgiving! …and may the conversation be comfortable!

Here is the link to last weeks post on Setting the Table

Manner Monday: Soup

Published October 10, 2011 | By Host

Every year when Columbus Day rolls around, the legendary poem many of us learned in history class pops into my head…

In fourteen hundred ninety-two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;

He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;

He used the stars to find his way.

Ok, ok, I’ll stop there… sorry to get it stuck in your head as well.

Thinking about the poem this year reminds me of another one; which comes in very handy when you are trying to navigate soup somewhat gracefully in the presence of others…

As a ship sails out to sea, I sail my spoon away from me.

By “sailing your spoon away”, any precarious drips will drip away from you, instead of on your shirt or tie. And if your soup is SO delicious you’re trying to figure out how to get the last few scoops (without picking it up like a coffee cup)… keep the same poem in mind and tilt your bowl away from you. Again, if you fumble your soup bowl while tilting, the soup will sail away from you and not end up in your lap.

On another note… Have you seen our darling place mats that help the little ones in your life get a jump start on their table manners and make dining more fun?

Hop over to our Products Page to take a peek.

Please visit the post ‘What is Manner Monday?’ to learn more about how to make the most of Manner Monday. Do you have a ‘manner’ you would like to see covered on Manner Monday? Feel free to send us your thoughts.

And, of course, please share ‘Manner Monday’ with your friends and colleagues.

Thank you for reading Manner Monday!

Manner Monday: The Hot Seat

Published October 3, 2011 | By Host

The proverbial “hot seat” is one that no one wants to find himself calling home.

There are many different theories as to the basis of the term, some say it originated from a person being subjected to intense interrogations, or finding oneself under severe scrutiny where the individual is unnervingly defending his actions.

Another theory comes from the days when fireplaces where commonly found in dining rooms. The host would take the seat nearest the fire, making it the hottest seat (or most uncomfortable) at the table.

When you are the host, whether it is a business meeting or casual event, be sure to take the “hot seat” (under the vent, facing the kitchen, the most uncomfortable chair) for yourself, giving the best seat (the best view, the most comfortable chair) at the table to your guest.