The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones, but what happens when more guests than expected show up? Don’t stress! Outside of the obvious (expandable dining tables), here are a few creative tips to for seating extra diners at your holiday table, or ingenious ways to make do with only a single dining room table for holiday meals.

Extra Seating

A dining table with a bench allows maximum space in your room when not in use.

Benches are a great boon for accommodating additional diners. If you have a bench in your entryway, it can be a great spot for additional seating and it doesn’t even have to match the rest of your dining room pieces. Even an outdoor settee can be pressed into service, if needed.

Folding chairs are always handy to keep around for expanding your holiday table. Stow a few folding chairs to quickly add extra seating when needed. Even better is if the extra chairs stack on top of each other, which means they will take up far less space when storing them.

Keep Your Guests Occupied

If you have an area where your family enjoys playing games, set up a puzzle or board game to keep guests entertained while waiting for their turn at the dinner table. A folding card table can always be used for overflow when it’s time to dig in and enjoy the big feast.

A folding table can be used as a TV tray or as part of a buffet style dinner service.

Having the big football game or an iconic Christmas movie on the TV is another way to keep diners occupied before dinner. If the sofa must be pressed into service for everyone to eat at the same time, be sure you have TV trays available to make it easier for friends and family to juggle food and drinks.

Create a Buffet-Style Dining Experience

The Dover Buffet provides extra space for storing and serving dishes.

Use an island, buffet or hutch to set up a buffet-style meal. Line up dishes in order of serving so the line of guests flow smoothly through the buffet. This can help alleviate crowding around the main dining table.

If you have sufficient room, set up stations for different courses, such as appetizers, main dishes, and desserts throughout the dining area. This can help with the flow of traffic and make it easier for seating extra guests after they serve themselves food and beverages.

Get Creative with Seating Arrangements

Dining chairs and benches do not need to match but they do need to fit the space and the table. For holiday meals, mismatched chairs will work just fine to accommodate everyone.

The concept of mix and match décor is a good one to use when seating extra guests. Combine dining chairs with vanity benches, stepstools or even outdoor chairs for an eclectic look.

For smaller groups, you may want to opt for seating extra guests on floor cushions. This creates a more casual and relaxed atmosphere. It works especially well if you have a large coffee table in the living room. Plus, it allows friends and family to finish watching a game or movie.

If weather permits, dine al fresco. Depending on the time of dinner, you may want to scatter space heaters throughout your outdoor dining area. Keep a basket of lap blankets handy, too.

By implementing these creative solutions, you can easily expand your holiday table and make seating extra guests a snap. The main thing is to ensure the meal is comfortable, enjoyable, and stress-free, even with unexpected diners at the table.