The time is nearly here, and you’ve been preparing for this moment — from mastering the recipe that has been with your family for generations to sending out early invites for Thanksgiving (by word of mouth, but still), you’re well on your way to being crowned “the host with the most.” To avoid any mishaps when you are called to perform, it is best to check and double-check your shopping and to-do lists. But we’ll add to your growing number of lists with just one more: your dining room checklist.
Your dining room, after all, is where the magic happens as far as the holidays are concerned. Great food and even greater company are what the festivities are all about. And taking good care of your dining space ensures that a jolly time will be had by all. To make sure no detail is missed, we cordially invite you to read through our dining room checklist.
1. Take a headcount to determine the number of chairs.
First things first: Who is coming over? Count your expected number of guests and add one to that list (to account for your own presence, of course). You also want to make sure you include the members of your household in your headcount. Then, assess the chair situation. Do you have enough seats?
In case you have fewer dining chairs than guests, you may opt to install a separate but smaller dining set elsewhere in the home — perhaps in the adjoining living room or kitchen. If you have a rectangular table or a drop-leaf table that can extend to seat more guests, then you may opt to add more chairs by either purchasing extras or by asking your guests to bring their own. Alternatively, you may choose to invest in a dining room bench. Typically reserved for rectangular dining tables, a dining bench can be easily tucked away beneath the table when you’re not hosting large dinner parties.
2. Dust and clean your table and chairs.
Determining your dining layout is really the most stressful part. At this point, you want to make sure your dining room is hygienic and hospitable for your dinner guests close to their time of arrival. Here are some tips for cleaning your dining room furniture:
How to Clean Wood Furniture:
Step 1: Dust the wood with a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 2: Dip a sponge in a mixture of warm water and liquid dish soap to gently wipe down wood surfaces.
Step 3: Apply furniture wax polish with a cheesecloth and buff the furniture dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
How to Clean Glass and Stainless Steel:
Step 1: Dust glass and any metal accents with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Step 2: Spray a liberal amount of glass cleaner on a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Rub your cloth on glass and metal accents, taking care of any crevices.
Lastly, if your metal or wood chairs are upholstered, either remove any detachable cushions to throw them in the wash or use an upholstery cleaner as the product directs you to.
3. Launder your table linens.
On the day before your guests arrive, we recommend machine-washing all your table linens, including tablecloths, table runners, napkins, and placemats, with warm water. If your washing machine features a sanitize cycle, we recommend using it. Additionally, if your table linens can be safely thrown in the dryer, we recommend using the anti-wrinkle option or steam cycle if your dryer model offers them.
4. Vacuum or sweep every corner of the room.
Before you vacuum or sweep the floor, we recommend cleaning your dining room from the ceiling-down. In other words, make sure you dust your ceiling fixtures and any windows beforehand so that you don’t sprinkle down any debris on items you might have already cleaned or have to run the vacuum over the same areas.
For the ultimate deep clean, you may opt to shampoo your carpet or polish your wood flooring.
5. Add some thematic touches!
Let the spirit of the season move you — and get creative with your holiday tablescaping skills! While it is not absolutely essential that you decorate your dining table with centerpieces and other décor, adding personal touches will only elevate the dining experience for your friends and family.
Some tablescaping ideas for Thanksgiving include adding an autumnal garland down the center of your table, placing a small gourd near each place setting, or affixing a classic fruit-filled cornucopia right in the middle. For winter holiday gatherings, you may add a fir garland interspersed with faux holly, pinecones, and snow or a sleigh decoration over a plaid table runner.
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