When Is It Appropriate To Use Dinner Place Cards?

We all know what place cards are. They are the small cards with a persons name printed on it that is placed either on the place setting or where the plate will be placed so everyone will recognize where they should be seated during dinner. That is plainly apparent. What isn't quite as obvious is what the circumstances are when using places cards is appropriate, or even an essential part of the planning process.

While few dinners actually require place cards, some work much better with them. Place cards aren't commonly used at small-scale dinner parties of 10 or less people because the gathering is small enough that they will mingle on their own. Everyone, except 2 or 3 people possibly, will know one another already. Using place cards at these times will be unnecessary. But sometimes, even with a small group of people, using place cards can be a necessity and even acceptable.

Large groups, especially those who are part of a society type function have to have seating place cards in order to maintain some type of organization. Dinners of this type are generally planned down to minute details leaving nothing to chance, and that includes seating arrangements. Place cards can help maintain order when it comes to the seating arrangements, while some may want to act as a matchmaker, others may wish to network, have a political agenda or you may even desire to seat your guests according to gender.

Smaller groups can use place cards too, and for much the same reasons. The host or hostess can utilize place cards to assist in the course of conversations and ideas at a dinner party. And, of course, that little matchmaker concept can still be in play as well. And to help make the most of the party, small groups can even be placed in particular pairings or groups so everyone could benefit.

Regardless of the size of your group, place cards can be a vital tool in the hands of the right host or hostess. When you are the one organizing the seating arrangements by using place cards, you can keep all your guests not only amused but can help relationships and networking opportunities.

If you're planning a party in the near future, take a look at the benefits you can derive by using custom place cards. The difference between merely a good party and a great one could very well be using place cards.