Table Cloth or Place Mats?

[HummusDip]

Which do you use? I was just thinking about this totally random thing over the weekend and wanted to ask you all. We use place mats currently but I'd like to get a table cloth or two and switch them out. :)

[The Tickle Momster]

I don't use either. :shrug Too much work. It's just easier to clean the table.

[Kyasmom]

I don't use either. :shrug Too much work. It's just easier to clean the table.
:yes

[Bonnie]

I can't imagine a time in the near future where I'd use a table cloth. If a kid pulls a place mat (or it catches between table and kid and gets pulled), it dumps one place setting. A whole table's worth? Um, no.

[mummy2boys]

I use a table cloth AND placemats ;) I can't imagine a table without a cloth (thats my nanna coming out in me :giggle she would be proud!)

[krysmh]

I have both. Though the table cloth is just protection for the table, not for looks. It's thick and you can wipe it off with a wet rag. Our table is new and I'm paranoid it will be ruined. :O

I have bamboo place mats that I love. :yes

[HummusDip]

See my table is weird and has grooves in it so if food gets in it, it's almost impossible to get it off, so I must use something. And I never thought about the kids pulling over the whole table of food, rather than just the one. Maybe I'll stick with my placemats! :giggle

[Barefoot Bookworm]

I'm also one who doesn't use either. I'd like to have some handwoven place mats though. My MIL is a big weaver so she might make some if I ask nicely.

[milkmommy]

both out tables not too pretty so I always cover it with a cloth and I use place mats that can just be wipes clean keeps me from having to change the table cloth several times a day ans still keep the table looking nice.

Deanna

[KatieMae]

We use cloth place mats. I also live in fear of having one child (or one grown up for that matter!) pull a whole table-full of food onto the floor by accident. I bought some fairly cheap, matching placemats & napkins at Cost Plus World Market four or five years ago & they're still going strong; plus we have a few other matching sets that we got for our wedding that I use when the others are in the wash.

My table has grooves too & it really lessens the amount of food that gets caught in the edge groove at each place setting :yes You still have to wipe the table unfortunately ;)

[joy]

We use placemats to protect the table and to look nice. A tablecloth would get pulled off in no time!! When DS is a little older though I would like to use one.

[Marrae]

We use leather placemats and coasters. Leather is great as it saves the table from water marks and heat marks.

[AdrienneQW]

Placemats - the kids use these (http://painlesslearning.com) and DH & I use cloth. We only own one tablecloth, which is used for more formal occasions (in other words, almost never).

[tree_hugger]

I don't use either. :shrug Too much work. It's just easier to clean the table.
:yes


Same here - though, our table is old with lots of scratches. If we had a new table, I might feel differently. :giggle

[RiverRock]

I didn't use anything until I noticed the finish starting to wear. Now we always have a vinyl tablecloth. I buy solid coloured ones to coordinate with our kitchen. I have cloth tablecloths that usually get put out if we have company...but they only last for one meal.

[erinwtx]

We have the grooves, too. The kids still get crumbs off the mat but it definitely helps. I have the kids use plastic placemats. Different characters for different months/seasons. I wipe them down with clorox wipes daily.

I have cloth placemats, too, but they are always spilled on and just don't look the same once I wash them. Anyone have tips for cleaning cloth placemats?

I have never used a tablecloth but like the idea.