Christmas Table & The Secret To Eating Out With Kids

Today I have our kitchen table to show you and a secret to share.  Several years ago I bought Christmas dishes from Target.  These are the Christopher Radko for Target collection they no longer sell.  I love them because the salad plates have different pictures on them and I have always been in love with dishes that have a variety of pictures.

For most of the year, I keep these plates on the top shelf of my everyday dishes cabinet in my kitchen.  Once Christmas is over, I wash them up, put them on the top shelf (I can’t even reach it without step stool) and cover them up with a clean tea towel.  They stay there until the day after Thanksgiving.

Then, I simply pull them down and put them on the bottom shelf of the cabinet and move my everyday dishes to the top shelf and cover them up.  It’s a switch that take me about 2 minutes to complete.  We use these plates daily until Christmas is over.

The kids are always excited when I pull the dishes down and we use them for every meal.  Somehow, I think cereal out of Christmas bowl just tastes better, don’t you think?

I picked up the slice of wood a while back and just put a coat of poly on it.  It is easy to wipe off and keep clean.  I think it gives the table a little something extra special and my boys always like anything that is made out of wood.  Maybe it reminds them of camping?

I also pick up Christmas napkins when the season is over.  Usually they are marked 70-90% off.  I stash them away and then pull them out when the holiday rolls around again.  Having festive napkins to use every days makes it seem like everyday is a party.  Party napkins don’t just have to be for parties right?

I wasn’t going to share this, but one of my friends said that she would have never thought of using her Christmas dishes everyday.  She only used them on Christmas day and just gave them to the Goodwill recently because she thought dishes for one day seemed like to much to store away.

One of my big philosophies…always eat off the good china…even if it is just Target China.

Now for the secret.  We have been super successful going out to eat with kids and I always feel bad for other parents when their kids are having meltdowns in the restaurant…they don’t know the secret.  I’m passing it along to you…my secret for going out to eat with kids.

1.  Before going out to eat pick up a gift bag or bag from a nice store…you know the nice ones with the ribbon handles.  Tell your littles it is going to be the “Going Out To Eat” bag and have them decorate it.
2. Stock the bag full of toys, activities, books etc…These items must be new items.  Don’t raid the toy box.  You can even take the littles to the store with you to stock it with items they would like.  It doesn’t have to be a lot, 2-3 items per kid.
3. Tell them ahead of time that they can play with items in the bag while they are seated at the table in the restaurant.  Once you are seated, pull out the bag and let them play with the items ( I usually hold it back until after they have eaten).
4. When you are ready to leave, everything has to go back in the bag…no exceptions.  Don’t get up from the table until everything is back in the bag…stay strong on this.
5. Put the bag in your closet or trunk to be used only when you go out to eat again.

Doing this keeps the time they get to play with something down.  They’ll be asking to stay at the table longer to play with the stuff in the bag…don’t be surprised when you go out to eat again if this happens.  You can decided after a while whether or not you need to rotate new items in.  Try to pick out things that are active…like little games.  We have sat through several 3 hour fancy dinners with kids and all have emerged smiling.  Now you know my secret.

 

 

Have a fantastic day!

Nancy

My awesome friend Lucy from Patina Paradise put together this incredible party list. Lucy and I, we like to party at the same places. You should come to the party…it’s a blast:

 

MONDAYS
Something to Talk About @ Spain Hill Farm 5AM CST
*Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 8AM or 8:30AM

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on The Porch
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 3PM
Inspire Me Monday @ Sand and Sisal 4 or 5PM

TUESDAYS
Moonlight and Mason Jars @ Cherished Bliss 10 or 11AM
* Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 6pm
* Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasures evenings at 7 PM
* Dream Create Inspire @ Refresh Living evenings at 7PM
* Swing into Spring @ DIY by Design at 10PM
What’s It Wednesdays @ Ivy And Elephants

WEDNESDAYS
Creative Spark @ Two Purple Couches 9AM
Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson 2PM or 3PM

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours 6PM CST

THURSDAYS
Brag Worthy Thursday @ Bless’er House + 4 more blogs 5AM
Think and Make Thursdays @ Little Red Brick House + 7 more blogs!!! 5AM
*The Creative Circle @ Up to Date Interiors 8AM
Vintage Charm @ Charm Bracelet Diva 9AM
* Shabbilicous Fridays @ The Shabby Art Boutique 1:00PM
*Feathered Nest Fridays @ French Country Cottage 3PM
Simple and Sweet Fridays @ Rooted In Thyme 6PM

AKA Design-Weekend Retreat party 7 pm

Creativity Unleashed @ Practically Functional 6pm
*Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 6PM
the weekend retreat @ AKA Design 6pm
Inspiration Friday @ The Painted Drawer 9PM

* A morning Cup of Joe @ The Cottage Market 6AM

SATURDAYS

SUNDAYS
* Silver Pennies Sundays @ Finding Silver Pennies 6 or 7 AM
Inspiration Monday @ Our Southern Home + 6 more blogs! 1 PM
**Amaze Me Mondays @ Dwellings 5PM