“Holiday time is the perfect occasion to start
traditions and to make manners important in family
life. Honoring grandparents needs to be taught
and practiced, and there is no better time than
at a holiday dinner when the family gets together.
As hosts, the grandparents should ask each family
member to dress in holiday clothes. The grandfather
or oldest male is seated at the head of the table
and the grandmother or hostess at the other end
of the table. As soon as the hostess picks
up her napkin to place it on her lap, that is a
signal for everyone at the table to do so, too. Many
families say a blessing before the meal to give
thanks for the meal as well as for each other.
Whether everyone eats “family style” or
whether the meal is served, it is important to
wait until everyone has their food in front of
them before the meal begins. As everyone
begins to eat, it might be a good time for the
grandparents to begin a conversation at the table
and to teach young children to feel confident about
speaking in front of others during the meal.
Hopefully the parents have taught their children
the proper way to hold their utensils. If
necessary, the grandparents can gently suggest
using the utensils properly at the start of the
meal. As the meal progresses, the pace should
be relaxed and not rushed. Honor the cook or whoever
prepares the meal by enjoying the food and complimenting
all the helpers.
At the end of the meal, the children should be
taught to ask to be excused and their napkins placed
back on the table in a loose, casual fold. Asking
children to take their plate to the kitchen is
so helpful, and it is another way to let children
feel part of the dining tradition.”
HHH Archives:
1 - Summertime is Good Manners
Time
2 - Grandparents Are The Greatest
3 - Let’s be Gracious
at Grandma’s
