Tips for making a seating chart for Christmas

When hosting a big family function like Christmas dinner, etiquette experts suggest making a seating chart to help you determine where your guests should sit. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you put together your seating arrangements.

• Seat the cook closest to the kitchen: if you’re doing the majority of the cooking, put yourself in the seat closest to the kitchen so you can easily go back and forth.

• Separate long-time couples: seat them apart from one another so they can talk to new people.

• Seat troublemakers near the host: if you have a relative who tends to drink too much or enjoys bringing up controversial subjects, seat them near you so you can keep them in line.

• Keep children together: consider giving children their own table so they can talk among themselves and get up to play when they’re done eating.

• Seat extroverts and introverts beside each other: it’s a good idea to put quiet guests next to talkative ones to limit awkward silences and make introverts feel more at ease.

• Consider guests with disabilities: assign guests with physical disabilities a place at the table that’s easy for them to access. Seat hard-of-hearing guests near the end of the table where it’ll be quieter and easier for them to focus on nearby conversations.

• Separate people who don’t get along: if you have relatives who can’t be civil to each other or who have radically opposing political beliefs, seat them at opposite ends of the table.

Almost all families comprise a dynamic mix of personalities. Thankfully, a seating chart will help ensure a harmonious holiday dinner where conversations keep rolling and conflict is kept at bay.