DIY Gratitude Tablecloth, Conversation Starters and More Interactive Holiday Table Ideas

My personal philosophy is one of gratitude. I feel fortunate for each day. I believe there are good days and bad days; I celebrate every day as a good day knowing if bad days cross my path I’ll deal with them when they do. Even in the more challenging or ordinary days, there are little blessings. I have a wonderful family with whom I’ll never have enough time. On weekdays I drive an hour to ninety minutes round trip carting kids to school or to pick up from activities, and that is multiple times a day; but I always remember there will be a day when no one needs me to drive them to school or make them a sandwich. Therefore I celebrate the driving and making sandwiches at 6 a.m. every school day. I feel fortunate to have the time with my children even if on the road.

There is no better time to reflect on gratitude than the holidays and our family has started some fun traditions I wanted to share today. Our holiday table is very interactive and not just chatting over all the sumptuous food for the season. We take time to reflect and celebrate, as well as enliven our dinner table reflections.

Gratitude Tablecloth

For the past few years instead of adorning our large antique dining table with my Great Grandmother’s linens we’ve opted for butcher paper, in white or brown/craft, covering the entire table. There are centrally located crayons, pens, markers or pencils within reach of all diners to jot down thoughts at will. Sometimes they are notes of gratitude. Sometimes they are holiday hangman games. Sometimes a list of Santa’s reindeer when no one can remember them all. After some wine, we never know what might be left by a guest!

If the paper tablecloth stays intact it might stay up for a few days and we build on as things which pop to mind. It becomes a fun, reflective tapestry of thoughts and silliness. I try to find fun, cool writing utensils that can also be left at diner’s seats as a party favor. Art and craft stores can be great sources of unexpected brands or styles of colored pencils, crayons or chalk that make the table lively.

Table Talkers or Conversation Starters

We’ve also picked up a few sets of conversation starter cards which are great fun to pull out at large holiday meals. They prompt the group with a thought-provoking or entertaining question to allow diners to share things often not known by others, and get a larger dialog going. Sets don’t need to be purchased; you can think up your own questions or I’ve shared a number of links to lists below. The questions could be printed on separate pieces of paper, folded up for diners to select at random!

Family Dinner Conversation Starters {Six Sisters Stuff} 

10 No Fail Dinner Party Conversation Starters {Huffington Post} 

Conversation Starters {The Family Dinner Project}

20 Dinner Table Conversation Starters {Everyday Family}

These ideas are not just fun for kids. I used to lead cross-functional corporate business teams and would often start the meeting with an ice breaker question. At first glance you might shutter, imagining how awkward it would be however I’ll confess I had Vice Presidents who were aware of my practice tracking me down in the corporate hallways asking me what color I thought THEY would be! Here were some of my team’s favorites:

If the person to your (left or right) were an animal, what would they be and why?

If the person to your (left or right) were a car (or a motor vehicle if playing with kids), what would they be and why?

If the person to your (left or right) were a color, what would they be and why?

If you could have any job in the world what would it be and why?

Holiday Crackers

This tradition springs as an homage to dear friends in Bristol England who are my son’s Godparents. Really a British-originated tradition (to be fair the UK, Ireland and Commonwealth countries such as New Zealand), the Christmas Cracker is a small tube that is filled with trinkets and fun. It is wrapped colorfully to look like an oversized piece of candy and is also available in a mini size. Both ends are pulled simultaneously creating a large popping sound with the contents spilling out. The crackers are filled usually with a small prize or toy, a tissue paper crown and a small sheet of riddles or jokes. Thanks to stores like Cost Plus World Market (and Amazon.com) they are available for almost every holiday. I stock up to include them in all our holiday meals, morning and night for great fun and a way to fold out friends from afar into our holiday traditions.