Setting the table for holiday dinner

Hosting your friends and family for the holidays can be fun.

The holidays are just around the corner, and if it's your turn to host family and friends for celebratory meals, you probably have a lot on your plate. Between food preparation and home decorations, you likely have little time to think about the place settings for the big day. Luckily, there are only a few things you need to keep in mind when planning arrangements for the meal.

Invest in the right table
Whether it's a holiday meal or a weeknight family one, it's nearly impossible to enjoy a wonderful meal if you don't have a place to eat it. If you're worried that your dining room table won't be able to accommodate all of your guests, now is as good a time as ever to upgrade your seating. Stop by Arwood's Furniture & Mattress and find the high-quality furniture you'd expect at a local shop combined with the wide selection of Missouri's largest furniture store! When picking out a new table, look for one that fits comfortably in your space but can seat a multitude of individuals. In the same vein, make sure you have enough chairs available for your guests.

Don't forget indoor decorations
After successfully getting the right big pieces of furniture in the room, you have an opportunity to show off a little of your personal flair and add holiday decorations. Consider hanging string lights, holly and even pine wreaths in the halls and around the room. On the table, you can use pinecones, candles and a few ornaments to put together a centerpiece of sorts. Just make sure friends and family can see and eat around all of your decorations!

Set the table ahead of time
As much as you tell yourself that it'll be easy setting the table just before you eat, the influx of friends and family will make it nearly impossible the closer it gets to chow time. On the day before your holiday meal – or before guests arrive on the day of – set up the table with all of the dinnerware you need. Even if you have to mix and match sets of dishware, make sure there is enough for everyone.

Enjoy!
It's understandable to be a little stressed if you're tasked with hosting the holiday meal, but make sure you don't forget to enjoy the fruits of your own labor! Your family and friends are sure to appreciate your efforts so make sure you do the same.