• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Boulder Locavore®

Easy Flavorful Recipes for Everyday

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Free Bonus
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Free Bonus
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Holiday » Christmas » DIY Gratitude Tablecloth, Conversation Starters and More Interactive Holiday Table Ideas

    LAST UPDATED: January 29, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: November 18, 2014 By Toni Dash 2 Comments

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

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Gratitude Tablecloth, Conversation Starters and More

    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.

    The Holiday Table- Notes of Gratitude

    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.

    The Holiday Table- designer crayons and hangman gam

    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}

    Gratitude Tablecloth with colored artisan pencils

    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?

    Vintage China with holiday cracker and pens

    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.

    « Southwestern Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
    Gluten-Free Rosemary Sage Thyme Popovers »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

    Free Email Course

    5 FAST & EASY 15-MINUTE RECIPES
    Spending too much time in the kitchen?
    These recipes are fast, easy, and perfect for every occasion.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Grace @ The Big Reveal says

      November 22, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea! I would be honored if you would link it up at our Found &. Hope to see you there!

      Reply
    2. Colleen says

      November 18, 2014 at 12:50 pm

      Not only are these brilliant ideas, but I know you are genuine in practicing gratitude daily as an approach to life. Thank you – I am grateful for Boulder Locavore and the many great ideas that inspire me and which I can really use.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    About Toni Dash

    Toni Dash BoulderLocavore.com Head Shot

    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

    Search Boulder Locavore

    AS FEATURED ON….

    BoulderLocavore.com Featured By Press

    Mother's Day

    • Milk bath rose petals, cornmeal, cucumber slices DIY Home Spa Treatments for Mother’s Day {that kids can do!}
    • 10 Rose-Flavored Dessert Recipes title image 10 Rose-Flavored Dessert Recipes
    • BAKED DOUGHNUTS TITLE IMAGE Easy Baked Donuts with fresh Raspberries
    • DIY Sparkling Flower-scented Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub pink with pink sugar DIY Gift Idea: Sparkling Flower-Scented Coconut Oil Sugar Scrubs
    • Edible Flower Springtime Tea Party Edible Flower Springtime Tea Party
    • a silver bowl full of rose-flavored dark chocolate truffles Rose-Flavored Dark Chocolate Truffles

    TRENDING RIGHT NOW

    • Ultimate Burger Grill Guide title photo with burgers on a charcoal grill Ultimate Burger Grill Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Burger
    • Carafe of apple cider vinegar with apples (titled image of how to make homemade vinegar) How to Make Homemade Vinegar
    • artichoke dipping sauces Artichoke Dipping Sauce: 4 Easy Delicious Recipes
    • homemade ketchup title image The Best Homemade Ketchup – Made with Fresh Tomatoes!
    • How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast title How to Make Moist Homemade Shredded Chicken Breast Recipe
    • Subway Cookies Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies (Subway Cookies Copycat Recipe)

    Footer

    Contact | About | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Accessibility Statement | Cookie Policy


    SIGN ME UP to get FREE recipes directly to my inbox!

    Don't miss our TRAVEL SECTION!


    Copyright © 2010-2022 All Rights Reserved

    Boulder Locavore is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.