“What
that’s dusty thing sitting in the corner? It looks kinda round…no wait, it’s
actually a rectangle. When did get that? Wait…it has chairs…oh yeah…the dining
table….”
Does
this scenario sound all too familiar? Too many households are forsaking their
dinnertime in favor of eating on the couch. We at the Save Our Dining Tables
foundation believe that you can make a difference. Break out the duster
sweeper, throw on a lovely tablecloth, and you will suddenly see the difference
between the place you used to eat at during the holidays and the place where
you should be eating at every night.
What
is the point of a dining table if not to use it? Don’t say you could only use
it for company! Dining tables are very useful all year round. Make a habit out
of setting the dining table. Buy flowers and show them off in an exquisite vase
that sits on the dining table. Force your children to sit at an actual table
instead of either retreating to their rooms or gathering around a blue table
made of plastic. Encourage your family to talk while they eat instead of
silently staring at one another, waiting to finish so they can move on to video
games or football games or any other game. These moments, when you get home
from work and have time to spend with your family—these moments are precious.
Do you really want to look back and remember all those times you ate dinner in
front of the TV?
Maybe
there are only two of you in the house, no rug rats running around. Don’t let
your dining table succumb to letter table status! It has more dignity and class
than that. It’s an heirloom! Or maybe it’s a great deal you scored at an
antique shop. Or perhaps it’s brand new and from that store that sells
contemporary dining room sets. Wherever it’s from, its purpose is to be used
correctly—for wining and dining! Set up a date with candles and the fine china,
dress up for dinner, and go sit at the dining table. You’d be surprised what
romantic lighting and an intimate setting could do.
The
time has come for action! Why else would you keep a dining room set in your
home if you had no intention of using it other than a place to set down your
purse or somewhere to store your bills? Dining tables are meant to eat from, to
enjoy conversation around, to make memories with. Act now and save your dining
table before it’s too late and termites get to it!