Set Your Next Table with Place Card Holders

Ensure your next dinner party feels intimate, yet elegant with the addition of place card holders at each place setting. These unique tabletop accents help streamline seating at a large soiree and offer a stylish foundation to a fundamental concept of entertaining etiquette -- namely, that everyone should always know where to sit comfortably. Rely on place cards to help new acquaintances connect or to guarantee a couple in love sits next to each other. Honor a special guest with the head of the table or simply add a bit of colorful cheer or stately sophistication to a well-laid table. With place card holders, you can design a dinner party that flows smoothly from course to course as your friends chat, catch up or get to know each other.

What Are Place Card Holders?

Place card holders are tabletop accessories that you set next to dinner plates to indicate where family members or guests should sit. The place card holders include a method for holding place cards, which are small cards that you use to write the names of guests. Together, they mark where everyone sits.

• Card holders come in an enticing variety of styles that will inspire you to choose many sets for different occasions. Think of them as small figures for the table.
• A flat base keeps each place card holder steady, but the rest of the holder may be shaped like a Christmas ornament or beveled pyramid, a pinecone, an animal figure or an abstract geometric shape.
• At the top of the card holder you'll see either a narrow slot cut into the body of the holder or a delicate ring that protrudes from the top of the holder. This is where you place the card with each guest's name.
• Remove the cards when your party is over. Your place card holder can be used many times for years, but the cards are refreshed with each event you host.

Creating a Welcoming Tabletop For All Occasions

There are some occasions that almost always call for place card holders and others when it's just nice to include them as an additional decorative touch. Use yours as often as the mood strikes, although many hosts and home chefs find that when they have beautiful sets, they want to use them more frequently.

• Choose card holders that match your table linens, including tablecloths, runners, placemats and cloth napkins.
• Allow yourself to mix-and-match finishes. While flatware is usually silver-toned, you can still include holders in goldtone, marble and more.
• Play with motifs like birds or acorns or seasonal themes to call out coordinating decor throughout your house.

Bring elegance back to entertaining with the selection of gorgeous place card holders.