Tables for Thanksgiving?

Question

I suddenly have 17 people coming for Thanksgiving. I can't fit 17 in my dining room. How and where can I set up tables so that people don't feel segragated from the people in the dining room? I don't want the last minute people to feel as if I have stuck them in a corner somewhere

I had planned the day as a formal sit down dinner complete with China, crystal, and silver. But now I suppose I don't have a choice but to make it a buffet. May as well use paper plates, plastic cups, and plastic cutlery.

Answer 1

Don't stress over this! I once went to a party where 6 people sat in the kitchen, 8 at 2 card tables in the living room, and 2 bedrooms had a card table in each. There were 22 people in this apartment! We all had someone to talk to, and there were 3 different kinds of dishes and silverware. The food was set out on the counter, and everyone helped themself and went to sit and eat.

After dinner was over, the tables were cleared from the living room, and everyone sat around in there, bringing some of the chairs from the other rooms. We all had a good time, and no one thought a thing that we weren't all sitting together to eat.

It's the getting together that matters the most. Don't do the plastic silverware and paper plates! Borrow what you need from someone. Just try to relax and have a good time.

My daughter had a large party a couple of times. She borrowed two card tables and some sat in the living room.

I know it's disappointing when you planned it to be rather fancy, but believe me, no one is going to mind that you do it another way.


Have a great Thanksgiving!

Answer 2

Trust me, as the youngest cousin, I sat at the kids table way through adulthood, so don't feel alone. There were not enough seats at the big table for all of the adults. My older cousins, by 2 years) sat with the adults. I was quiet too, I guess it was thought that I would be a good example. Not. Think of it this way, it's just family, not your friends, and if you keep quiet about it, no one will ever know. And ignore the mom's friend's kid. Maybe he was as embarraseed as you were, and just trying to deal with it the best way he knew how. If you want to, this year try to distract him with talk suitable to a 19 year old, but eating , and being polite would be the way to be if you do not want to deal with him. It really is awful sometimes being the good kid in the family, my cousins on one side of the family were always into every kind of trouble you can think of, drugs, stealing, arrests, drinking, really bad marriages, and except for the oldest granchild, (Sue was always the favorite), were always the favorites. These kids belonged to an important corporate mogul, money in the family, good breeding was available. Go figure.

Answer 3

If you have to, clear out the living room or den, and put some long folding tables in there. Does your dining room connect to the kitchen or living room? If so, they won't feel isolated because they'll still be able to see you. And it's not like you're putting one or two people at a table upstairs by themselves--sounds like the tables will be full, so while the people who arrive late and end up sitting in the den may not be able to visit with you, they will have others around them to talk with.

Answer 4

Try doing a buffett-style dinner. Put the fixings on the dining room table, and place the chairs in various places around the living room, den (if you have one), kitchen, etc. Group them in at least 2's or 3-4's for conversation. Not knowing the layout of your place, I cannot give you better advice.

Answer 5

Your guests will understand that if you're cooking for 17 people that it's not going to be all ritzy and fancy. If they don't, consider not asking them back for thanksgiving. Ditto on buffet-style. It makes it easier than "can you please pass the..." from 17 people all at once too. Plus, if you use paper plates, cutlery, etc. those are dishes you don't have to do when you're tired from fixing a meal for 17 people anyways. Save the china for small family gatherings or Christmas.

Answer 6

This happened to me last year. Do you go to a church? If so, you can probably borrow one from them and return it Sunday. If not, I would do as another had suggested, just make it a buffet style dinner and place chairs all around. People will understand..your feeding 17 for goodness sake!!! Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Answer 7

Well when i have that many people and theres not room at table i always have a come and get and sit where you want.,And its a fight over the sofa in front of the football games.Of course if its a high class dinner rent or buy a longer table.

Answer 8

Rent or buy a larger or two larger tables and you can use your regular table for buffet-style serving if you want. Extra banquet sized tables are available at most Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc stores. Sometimes Walmart, Target or Kmart have them. And don't forget you'll need extra chairs.

Answer 9

This shouldn't be happening. Uninvited guests should not just say they want to come. For those who are uninvited, let them have a table set up in the living room. If they feel segregated, too bad.

Answer 10

us cheap Asians will just set up the table in the garage.