What is the dining table? It’s a piece of furniture, everyone has one. It’s a flat surface surrounded by chairs but It’s so much more. The dining table isn’t a static object – it’s where we gather, where we bond, where we connect. So much of our lives are wrapped around that table. If we’re not careful that table will go away. 
What holds you back from gathering with those you love? Is it fear, confidence or life is just too busy? …or we talk about getting together but never seem to get to it.
This is where I see the dining table is nearing extinction. We design homes and the dining room is getting less and less space. We eat on the run, at the kitchen island, standing at the sink. We have busy lives and because of that the gathering around the table falls by the wayside.
Can you imagine going to the museum to experience the past? Along with the dinosaurs you’ll see the flip phone, the dot matrix printer, the old clunky computer, the rotary phone, etc. I can picture going to the Smithsonian where Julia Child’s kitchen is on display and a child pointing to the table and chairs in the middle, asking her Mother what that is. I know it sounds extreme but that’s where we’re headed.
This goes beyond social – Mindfully bringing people together is an ancient art but it’s becoming a lost art. This is what I had to go past my childhood dining table to find – how to create this recipe for memories and that is what I want to leave you with today. Eating together relaxes us, we talk, we look at each other and we listen. It doesn’t matter if you order a pizza, grab takeout prepare the meal, or go to a restaurant, sitting at the table with others is where we connect.
Have you ever had a gathering without food? I don’t think so. We even have coffee, cookies, donuts at business meetings. Food is the unifier, it evokes memories, it brings us together around the table. Let’s not let that slip away.
Our dining table is definitely not going away. I make an great attempt to have all of our family dinners seated. We eat lunch together on the weekends, and we’ll often play games, draw and entertain at our table. I hope my kids remember this for years to come!
I love it! It’s wonderful to hear your table is so warm and well used.
So true! We use ours for storage. Its awful! I really wish we were better about using it!
It’s so hard with a little one. Once he grows hopefully you ‘ll use it more.
The only time we use ours is when we have people over and there is not enough seating in the kitchen. Most expensive room and least used!
Sad, isn’t it?
We use ours every night! When I was growing up thiugh we never did. I think that’s why I make my family do it as an adult. Sad that most people don’t use their tables :-/
I’m so glad to hear you’re using yours so well!
We sit down and eat at the dining room table every night. It is so important to sit down and have family dinners. It can change how our kids think and feel and it is important for the family’s dynamic.
I’m so glad to hear that. It’s so important to have that connection and be able to communicate. It’s such a skill your kids will have for the rest of their lives and the memories….
Okay, you’ve shamed me. We eat way too often in front of the television. We mostly use our dining room table for homeschooling projects.
I know – I’ve been guilty myself!
I love this blog post! My dining room table goes through stages… once in a while its purpose is to store things I haven’t carried upstairs and sometimes… usually during the holidays… it becomes a place to reconnect with family and friends.
These beautiful pictures have inspired me to get back to using as a place to reconnect with my family members!
Thanks so much!!!
My parents made it mandatory for everyone to be home in time for dinner. We all sat down and enjoyed Mom’s home cooked meals and talked about our day. Our dining table back then stood witness to happy moments! When I started my own family, I made sure that we did the same thing. It is not only a perfect family bonding moment, it is also a great way to make the kids come home on time. Dinner won’t be served until the family is complete. No one wants to keep the rest of the family waiting (and hungry) so everyone makes sure they get home on time.
What a clever way to make sure everyone arrives on time. No one wants to keep dinner waiting! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
We had the chairs redone in our dining room, and it really made me value the time we gather together when it wasn’t so easy. Sad to know that our busy lives are pulling us apart.
It is but I’m so glad to hear you’re making the time for it! Brava!!!
Its tough to make people sit on the dining table as all have their heads on the phone or laptop and dinner served at bed was the first option. We have a joint family and now our grandfather has made a rule to eat together on the dining table. I am getting to know dinings now!! Great article and thanks for writing about it.
Thanks so much Akshay! It is so important to talk to each other and with the distractions of the phone and everything else. Have a great day!!!!