OP here. I rented chiavari chairs that come with a cushion from a party rental place in my area. They are not folding chairs and cost $8/chair. I’m not in NOVA, unfortunately.

DP. I bought a folding table but can anyone suggest relatively inexpensive chairs that fold or stack? I don’t want my elderly family sitting in the crappy metal legged plastic folding chair because they are rickety and uncomfortable. Any upgrade options?

The dishes don’t have to match. You may want to group the dish patterns by table, if that’s possible. So if you have 8 plates of one style, those would go on the dining room table that seats 8, while the other set of white plates will go on the rented table. Or you can alternate the different plates on each table.

Nice paper napkins are fine — if the napkins are all alike that’ll pull the look together. Mixed flatware and mixed glassware is fine, too, and could add a bit of interest to each place setting. Most people won’t care at all.

If you want it all to match, you can rent plates, glassware, flatware and linens.

My friend uses this type of plastic ware for big crowds. I have copied from Amazon , but Sam’s Club and Costco has it too.

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Premium-Disposable-Dessert-Appetizer/dp/B07LDX484P/ref=asc_df_B07LDX484P/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312186895852&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18013661943647016911&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005966&hvtargid=pla-661156228765&psc=1

Anonymous wrote:Who are the guests (family? neighbors? people you want to impress??) What ages? What's the purpose of the meal? You say "casual" so not a big deal if the silverware doesn't match or you use multiple plates. You can go to ikea and get dinner plates for a few dollars each, if you need actual dishes. You can get a set of 12 off amazon for $26: https://www.amazon.com/10-Strawberry-Street-CATERING-12-DINNER-W-Catering/dp/B002LAAFYS/ref=sr_1_10?crid=11XQGWN6NDX95&keywords=dinner%2Bplates&qid=1667943598&sprefix=dinner%2Bplate%2Caps%2C282&sr=8-10&th=1

OP - These are friends and acquaintances. Definitely not trying to impress, just want to have a nice time.

Who are the guests (family? neighbors? people you want to impress??) What ages? What's the purpose of the meal? You say "casual" so not a big deal if the silverware doesn't match or you use multiple plates. You can go to ikea and get dinner plates for a few dollars each, if you need actual dishes. You can get a set of 12 off amazon for $26: https://www.amazon.com/10-Strawberry-Street-CATERING-12-DINNER-W-Catering/dp/B002LAAFYS/ref=sr_1_10?crid=11XQGWN6NDX95&keywords=dinner%2Bplates&qid=1667943598&sprefix=dinner%2Bplate%2Caps%2C282&sr=8-10&th=1

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just rented chairs and will set up an extra table so everyone will have a place to sit.

My next question - is it acceptable to use plastic plates and cutlery or should I use real dish ware? Or some combination of both? I have enough dishes and cutlery to use the real thing, but not everything is a complete match. Dishes are all white, but a couple of different styles. Cutlery is all stainless, but several different designs. I was planning on using good quality paper napkins, though. I don’t have enough cloth napkins for everyone.

Thanks for the great advice so far!

I will take real plates and cutlery even mismatched over plastic. But its up to you as hostess and the anlint of cleqn up you want to do. You can do dessertnon clear plastic little plates with gold or fancy colored forks to make it a tad easier

OP here. I just rented chairs and will set up an extra table so everyone will have a place to sit.

My next question - is it acceptable to use plastic plates and cutlery or should I use real dish ware? Or some combination of both? I have enough dishes and cutlery to use the real thing, but not everything is a complete match. Dishes are all white, but a couple of different styles. Cutlery is all stainless, but several different designs. I was planning on using good quality paper napkins, though. I don’t have enough cloth napkins for everyone.

Thanks for the great advice so far!

You make a decision to either have everyone sit down at a table and proper chair (rent folding tables, etc), or you decide to have people eat anywhere (sofas, standing, etc.) and you accommodate that by changing the menu to food more easily eaten out of one's lap.

You need to provide some sort of surface for each person's plate, cup, and utensils. This isn't a county fair where they walk around with giant turkey legs and funnel cake.

We rent tables and chairs from the catering company. People eating on their laps will spill things much more than people eating at tables and chairs.

I have bought folding tables for this purpose. I rent chairs. They are about $4 each.

It depends on the age and physical condition of the guests. I would make sure there are enough seats for all the seniors and physically and mentally challenged people.
So you try to reserve the table seating for this group.

You want to make sure there are side tables or something for people to place their plate or drink. When eating is done, most people don't mind standing and chatting so they tend to move around the room except the old people.

You want the younger folks to stand and sit elsewhere.
I have seen the table seating reserved for the kids. They eat and they go and play elsewhere. They can't remain at the table. Adults then occupy the table.

You could also move all seats against the walls. And the table has to be put in a way that people move and flow out of the way after getting their food.
There will always be people standing next to the food table. You just remind them to move elsewhere after getting their food.

If you have space that you could rent tables/chairs and make a place for everyone to have a seat I would do that. Ideally, you could fit all of the tables in 2 rooms. For holidays at my in laws we clear all of the furniture out of the living room, except the sofa, and put up 3 round tables. If you are serving dinner inside I feel like you need to have tables for your guests.

We are having a casual dinner with more people than we have table seating. The food will be served buffet-style. We only have space at a table for about half of the people, with more seating in the family room for the rest. People sitting in the family room will have to eat off of their laps.

What is the best way to handle a situation like this? Do you rent tables to have table seating for everyone, or just keep things as is?