Manners Dinner Party

A fun way to remind your kids about table manners and dinner etiquette.

Manners Dinner Party

I’ve been wanting to do a dinner for Caitlyn and share with her some table manner tips and dinner party etiquette and November seemed like the perfect month to do it.

As a family we have lots of fun at the dinner table, interesting conversations, sometimes heated arguments, and lots of good laughs. For the most part Caitlyn does pretty well at the dinner table yet occasionally we get a toot here or a burp there, yup she’s a regular kid! I thought we could make sure she was appropriate at any dinner table when the time was right…grandma’s, cousins, friends, restaurant, by doing this activity with her at home.

She had so much fun being the ‘host’ and I had lots of fun putting a theme together. Of course a party theme wasn’t needed but I just had too throw a few things together to make it a special one.

Caitlyn was in charge of setting the table. I made it easy by giving her a table setting chart to help her along the way.

I didn’t even have to go around the table and fix anything. She’s a little perfectionist like me!

The finished table. She was so proud.

Since I try to do a fun table setting for each season, I decided to throw this one in. Thanksgiving makes me think of family. I think of how it would have been to know my grandparents and listen to their stories. I’ve been lucky to hear stories from my parents and it’s always exciting hear about their life’s adventures.

A Family Tree

I made this family tree for our centerpiece. A few copied black and white  pictures set the mood on how important good manners can be.

From the stories I’ve heard, if you were not proper at the dinner table grandma would beat your bum!

I used a glass bottle, this one was a Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider bottle, and I spray painted it gold. Simple huh!

I found this quote and had to share it at our table since all were pictures of Caitlyn’s ‘GREAT’ grandparents.

Sometimes a simple quote like this can complete your project and set the mood.

Fun With Frames

I used more pictures with another fun project.

These dollar store frames became a fun little display. I simply glued three frames together so it could stand by itself.

Here was another one using three bigger gold frames.

Place Setting

Gold, creams and browns were our color theme. Simple and elegant for a fancy dinner party. I’ve had these glass plates for a while and have been wanting to use this idea for a while. A piece of decorated scrapbook paper set under the glass plate for a fancy guests name tag.

Thankful for Family

I love the way it turned out!

Thanks to Pinterest those bottles in the background are a fun favorite too.

I had all but one yet luckily my cousin attends the same town carnival as we do  ( we buy the homemade root beer every year) so I just borrowed his to complete my set up. THANKS Carl!

Please and Thank You’s

Caitlyn loved the attention and made sure everyone was following the rules. Before dinner I shared the Do’s  and Dont’s on table manners. Caitlyn had no problem calling out someone on remembering the lesson..like “Grandma, elbows off the table!” or “Daddy don’t talk with your mouth full!”

You could easily turn it into a fun game.

Look, no elbows on the table! We actually got a snapshot of grandma, unbelievable!

Daddy willingly went with my plan and set a good example…well most of the time!

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

One new recipe that I did try were these pumpkin dinner rolls. They were pretty good though I wish I had a little more time for rising. Oh well, next time I’ll plan better on time, but we all really enjoyed them.

Pumpkin Dinner Rolls by Tammy’s Recipes

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups warm milk
¼ cup butter, softened or melted (I warm it with the milk above)
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup wheat germ or whole wheat flour
10-12 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
7 teaspoons dry yeast

Instructions:

1. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, water, milk, butter, pumpkin, and salt. Mix well.

2. Add wheat germ, 7-8 cups of the flour, and yeast. Mix, and then continue adding flour and kneading until dough is elastic and not sticky.

3. Place dough in greased bowl; grease top of dough, cover with a towel, and set in a warm place until doubled (about 60-90 minutes).

4. Punch dough down and divide into thirds. Divide each third into 16 pieces and shape into balls.

5. Place on greased baking sheets, and grease tops. (I use two 11×15-inch baking sheets, and put 24 rolls on each.) Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until tops are golden. Remove to wire racks and cover with a towel. Brush tops with butter if desired, as soon as rolls are removed to the wire racks. Serve warm with butter.

Grandma Time

Caitlyn was also helpful in the kitchen. I love this picture and the moments that Caitlyn and my mom share…like making gravy. It’s a lesson she’ll remember forever or at least the moment they shared together.

Here is a list of the basic Do’s and Dont’s  that all kids should know!

TABLE MANNERS

DO’S

Do wash your hands before coming to the table.

Do remove chewing gum before eating. Wrap it in a small piece of paper and throw it away.

Do unfold your napkin and put it on your lap.

Do cut your food into bite size pieces before eating it.

Do chew with your mouth closed; eat as quietly as possible.

Do finish eating what you put on your plate.

Do practice good manners all of the time.

Do treat those at the table with kindness & respect.

Do put the silverware you’ve used on the side of your plate & the napkin beside your plate when done.

Do thank those who have prepared the meal.

Do take your plate, cup & silverware to the sink.

Do offer to help with the clean-up after the meal.

DONT’S

Don’t begin eating until the prayer has been said

Don’t begin eating until those you’re with have been served.

Don’t take large portions of food.

Don’t take more than what you can eat.

Don’t take seconds until everyone has had firsts.

Don’t talk with your mouth full.

Don’t bend over to reach your food. Bring it to your mouth.

Don’t slurp your soup, gulp your drink, or eat too fast.

Don’t blow on your food; if it’s too hot, wait till it cools.

Don’t put your elbows on the table.

Don’t leave the table until you’ve asked to be excused

Happy Planning