Txgiving menus & placecards: too much?

apparently

I really love nicely printed paper materials, and have thought about doing placecards and menus for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Thing is, it's the same ol' people and pretty much the same ol' food since forever, so am I just going to come off as a pretentious prat for doing this? My sense is yes.

 Do any of you do printed placecards & menus on Thanksgiving? Is it because they're actually useful (ie, you're inviting people who don't know each other, or you do a varied menu every year), or just because you like them?

vtgoodspeed

I would skip the menu... but, there are some really cute place card ideas that also serve the purpose of a favor for your guests.

TarHeels&Rebels

Skip the menu.  I don't care for them in home settings (for the exact reason you mention - pretentiousness.) 

Place cards are a nice addition when there are a lot of people. 

lsgarver

A menu is fine if you are serving non-traditional items but totally unnecessary for the normal Thanksgiving fare.

Placecards are ok but are people going to like them and feel like you've gone the extra mile or like you are telling the family where to sit?  It all depends on how you think it would be received--my friends would love it, my family would either laugh at me or be very confused.

6fsn

I would skip the menu, especially for a traditional meal.

I also agree with ls on the placecards.  My family wouldn't think it was pretentious, but it would be odd.  I like the free for all aspect with my family because you don't know who you end up chatting with.  That may be a function of the size of the day though.

KPSimon

I think it's fun!  My Mom used to do menus when I was younger, and my sister and I have a copy of all the menus from all our family holiday dinners, her dinner parties etc  They're so fun to look at.  My sister usually does do a menu for Thanksgiving, she just does one, and it's in a frame on the buffet.

We sometimes do placecards and sometimes we don't.  Nobody is 'required' to sit where the placecard is...we do it because it's fun. The kids fill them out etc 

vvwalker

If you are serving buffet style, then i say YES to the menu (one on the buffet). I do a printed menu on our buffet for Christmas dinner. It gives the dinner a more special feel and the food titles can whet the guests' appetites even before sitting down. I like to give the foods fun and enticing titles like: "Herb Roasted Turkey" instead of Roasted Turkey" and "Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes - instead of Mashed Potatoes, "Kerri's (my hubby)Vegetable Medley" not roasted vegetables - you get the idea. If you are serving family style, plated dinners at the table, i would skip the menus. Place cards are always a nice touch too. I think they both add a nice touch and make guests feel extra special!

vvwalker

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vvwalker

KPSimon:

I think it's fun!  My Mom used to do menus when I was younger, and my sister and I have a copy of all the menus from all our family holiday dinners, her dinner parties etc  They're so fun to look at.  My sister usually does do a menu for Thanksgiving, she just does one, and it's in a frame on the buffet.

We sometimes do placecards and sometimes we don't.  Nobody is 'required' to sit where the placecard is...we do it because it's fun. The kids fill them out etc 

i agree!

jacksjerseygirl

I would not do menus. Everyone knows what you serve on turkey day ... unless you change the menu every year. 

I have done place cards but cute one not formal ones ... like I made these mini turkeys one year with card stock and yarn.