Or not! Thanks for stickin' around for the show my friends!
Now, down to business.
First off, ever noticed that thanksgiving is a PAIN for seating? No really, WHERE DO I SIT?! Most of us have our close knit dinner then we have 2-3 BIG dinners out there in the insane world with co-workers, friends, other family, and then MORE family!
Now, that's great and all but most houses (atleast for those of us not in a mansion!) aren't meant to hold 10+ people, especially not in one room! So if your tradition is pile up at the TV and watch a game or pile at the table and eat... Well, HOW?!
Again, most tables aren't meant for that. Unless your gnome sized that table meant for a max of 6 ain't going to work!
So heres some ideas to help you maximize your space and make everything alittle more comfy!
1. Consider a "Kids Table" to help free room at your main table. Seriously, at a family gathering you have a nice ratio of atleast 1 kid per 2 adults on average!
My family for example, theres The grandparents (2), their 3 kids and spouses (4), and then the kids of those 3 kids (5, including me!). That makes 11 at EVERY event if no extras show up (distant family, boyfriend/girlfriends, cousins and uncles/aunts). Now at my grandparents have a HUGE, open kitchen, dinning room, and living room with kitchen isles to separate. BUT again. Table size. Its meant for a max of 8 people. And that takes squeezing to achieve! Now, if we had a kids table you could take atleast 4 warm bodies out of the way. Leaving a more comfortable 7! At the same time the kids (in my case ranging 4-13 years old) get their own space with plenty of elbow room. If you haven't noticed, kids aren't as quiet about their moving needs. If your packing around tables then your packing squirming worms in too. And those worms will squeal after they finish eating.
2. If eating infront of the TV then consider setting out some foldable lawn chairs or other types of easily moved furniture for any adults who might need something off the ground! --Please quietly remind children that the elders get first dibs!-- Next, again with the idea that you have 10+ people and a space meant for 6 max, you've added maybe 2-3 seats. So now you can let 3 people take the couch rather then 4-5! Now to create room for the remaining...Um.. More..."spry" bunch, I suggest something extra! Set out fluffy body pillows on a spread out sleeping bag in the floor for the kids. Kids love to do things that are different from the norm so giving them their own spots is perfect for the full belly after dinner naps and letting them squirm, and bounce without upsetting your 80 year old grandma or Pa!
3. You want to EAT at the Table, you want the KIDS at the table (shudder!), and you DONT want to give a inch! Well its more work, but you asked for it!
First off, you'll need to rearrange the biggest room ya got. Set out 2-3 card tables or other larger tables at roughly the same size. Cover with a long table cloth if you want it to look prettier! If big enough you can set the food in the center of the tables or you can set it on the counters in the kitchen and have everyone fill a plate!
If the room is tight (like any apt would be) and ya just cant move the furniture out, then try and use it to your advantage. Set the couch, chair, and the like around the table.
Benches! Yes, Benches! Their perfect for making more room. Why? Because even a small chair takes up a lot of extra room. 2 chairs will take the room of 3 people on a bench! So these benches are smaller and can be easily filled.
4. Try outside! Yes, the outdoors. BOUNDLESS ROOM! Most people do have a back or front yard (private or no, sometimes comfort matters more!) so ifs its a nice day, why not set out some tables and enjoy the outdoors and the food? Best part? Plenty of elbow room for all, no sucking it in to slide past people, no feeling suffocated by all the people, walls and ceiling, just air!
5. Lazy idea: Rent a place or go to a Buffet! BOOM! DONE!!
Lazy, yes. Effective, YES! If you have 20+ people, then dear god please just do this... Save yourself and them the pain!!
Well that's long enough for one day! I hope these ideas help some of you, others... hope ya laughed?
See the next part in a few days!
God Bless ya, have a good day!
Wolf
No comments:
Post a Comment