Nowadays, family dinners are a rare luxury – many family members are so immersed in their own activities that, at best, they manage to sit down together only once a week. Then, you want such a dinner to become a small celebration that will allow you to nurture your relationship and help you create moments that you will want to remember. The tips below will help you how to turn a family dinner into a small celebration.

Create a cozy atmosphere

Cozy conversations need an appropriate atmosphere; even simple dishes can acquire a more delicate flavor. The following table accents are perfect for family dinners:

•  Candles. This is one of the easiest ways to take dinner to the next level. Candlelight adds more comfort, romance, and even a bit of magic, which should especially appeal to the little ones. Please place them in the center of the table and watch how the overall atmosphere changes.
•  Flowers. Their colorful flowers can make a somewhat dull table decor much more playful, so you can spare flowers when serving the table. Use them not only in the center but also on plates or linen napkins – this way, you will definitely surprise your children.
•  Linen tablecloths. This table cover immediately makes the overall atmosphere much more festive and helps to create a certain mood. Even better, if the linen tablecloths are coordinated with napkins, coasters, and other table accents, you will be able to create a unified, harmonious environment.

Involve children in planning

You have probably noticed that children do not lose interest much longer if they are involved in certain activities. To encourage them to feel responsible, you can try these ideas:

•  Ask what dishes or desserts the children would like for dinner. If you have multiple children, agree that one of them will be responsible for the menu for a given week – this will avoid potential conflicts.
•  Ask them what needs to be done to make the table beautiful for a family dinner? Maybe they want to pick a bouquet of flowers from the garden themselves, or perhaps they will interestingly fold the napkins. In this case, you should agree to even their most unexpected ideas.
•  Cook a family dinner together. Even if the dish is quite complicated, children can do small tasks: maybe they will mix the dough or give you the necessary tools and dishes. Any similar efforts will further arouse curiosity and the desire to taste the final result.

Turn off all screens

A family dinner will not be as cozy and enjoyable if you spend most of the time in front of screens – it turns out that parents do this no less than their children. To avoid potential conflicts and withdrawal, immediately agree that you will sit at the table without phones, and the TV will remain turned off. You can even put a basket nearby where you will all put your smart devices during dinner. At first, this may seem not very easy. Still, later, such a routine will become a habit that encourages you to concentrate more on the present moment and enjoy honest, quality communication.

Play fun board games

You can set aside time for board games after dinner to make the evening not last long and give even more pleasant emotions. Try new ones, play your favorites, or develop their rules yourself – the main thing is that such an activity is more or less enjoyable for all dinner participants. You can come up with and fantasize or have fun laughing questions – any similar activity will help “break the ice” and allow you to get even closer. These and similar games are beneficial if you are starting to foster dinner traditions in your family, and the ages of your family members are very different – such fun activities will allow you to forget about them.

Celebrate small victories

During family dinners, mention special occasions, essential anniversaries, and small everyday victories. Sharing them with your family will make such victories seem much more significant. At first, it will be difficult for children to find such victories, but then praise them for their kind behavior, help preparing dinner, or achievements in school and extracurricular activities. Give everyone a chance to speak and show that each victory is equally essential – such an understanding will help children in the future. And as the following dinner approaches, they will want to accumulate a list of such achievements in advance.

Change dinner places

You will maintain interest and intrigue if you constantly change the places for family dinners. In the warm season, you can have a picnic or set an outdoor table – the same linen tablecloths, napkins, and other accents discussed are perfect. If you want even more exclusivity, have dinner in the bedroom or children’s room – such unexpected locations will make dinners exclusive and unforgettable. In addition, you will have the opportunity.

You can look at all the spaces in your home from a different angle and breathe even more life into them. Sometimes, you can leave the house, but remember that the same rules for family dinners should apply even in a restaurant.

Be creative

Depending on the family’s enthusiasm and your imagination, you can give the dinner even more unique accents. For example, you can come up with a specific theme and adapt both the table decor and your outfit to it – you won’t be able to do this once a week, but this idea could become a monthly tradition. You can also consider expanding the family circle and inviting relatives or close family friends to dinner. There may be more similar options – if you all think about them together, the most unique ideas will be born.

These ideas can help you take family dinners to a new level. However, remember that these gatherings are not about the most delicious dishes or a perfectly set table. Although these details provide comfort, when spending time together, the most important thing is to strengthen the bond between you—to speak as sincerely as possible and to listen as carefully as possible.