An impromptu luncheon for my “Forever Farmington Friends!” Can you spy any porcelain animals?
Giving considerable thought to your guests' seating arrangements for a dinner party can enhance their overall experience, and yours, especially when you place guests together that hit it off. Nothing like great combinations and jolly conversations!
But, when seating a group that is not the typical “boy/girl” dinner party, or your close friends whom you know would like to sit together, or you are confronted with either a group of guests you don’t know well, or a group of just ladies, or just gentlemen, the art of diplomatic “seating” can be a bit of a challenge.
Everyone wants to be to the right of the host or hostess as the guest of honor, right? And, it is doubtful that anyone really wants to be seated in the middle/center of a long table… which some view as purgatory!
So, how do you seat everyone, and still make them feel equal in their “seating pecking order?”
Remember playing musical chairs? My amusing technique vaguely reminds me of that! Here is my secret method:
Prior to my guests arriving, I place one Herend animal on the table in front of everyone’s place, where a place card would normally be situated. Mind you, each animal is different! (I purposely place a fox at the guest of honor's place.)
Then, I write on a small piece of paper what each animal is, i.e., elephant on a ball, goose with a golden egg, bunny with an itch, etc. I then fold the little papers in half and place them in a small silver basket. (Note: I do not write one for the guest of honor.)
How cute are these origami swans? My granddaughter, Miss Charlotte, helped me set the table the night before the luncheon and made these swans (instead of my folded piece of pink paper) so I could write the name of each animal inside the swan!
After my guests arrive, I take my guest of honor aside, privately, and ask them to kindly take the seat to my right, and that their “animal” is the fox… when offered to choose an origami swan, not to take one. They will understand why later.
Just before lunch/dinner is served, I walk up to my guests who are enjoying libations in either the living room or front hall and ask each one to take a piece of pink paper (or swan!) from the little silver basket and read it. This will reveal their “seating assignment animal.” I tell them, “You will now have to hunt to find your appointed animal on the table!"
Just before lunch is served, I offered the origami swans (which will indicate where each lady will be seated) in a little silver basket, to each guest.
This clever technique creates a jovial atmosphere upon entering the dining room as everyone is scouting for their animal! This technique works like a charm because THEY chose their own seat at the table… a diplomatic win-win!
Grandmillennial tip:
If you don’t have Herend animals, you can use whatever you wish to designate the placement for seating. From different varieties of flower blossoms, various books, a collection of snuff bottles, and unique shells… get creative because the list is endless!
An adorable friend I have simply places her Beatrix Potter porcelain figurines around the table and asks everyone to figure out which one each guest thinks represents themselves. What a hoot it is to witness the negotiations amongst the guests: “‘I’m the little mouse with the broom.” “Oh no, you’re the sly fox!” “I have cute blue shoes on, so I must be the mouse in the shoe!” Such a clever way to commence a dinner party.
Xx
Holly
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The “Hello Holly” addendum is after my sponsor list!