A table card is quite simply the guest's name at their seat, and a little item like a wine cork or a figurine can hold the card so it stands neatly by the plate. Choose a holder that suits the style of the party, and the table card becomes a little gift the guest can take home too.
Contents
A good table card does more than show guests where to sit. It sets the tone for the table, and it gives each guest a little experience even before the food is served. Whether you're hosting a relaxed dinner or a party with many tables, there's good reason to think about the shape, the lettering and the little item that holds the card in place.
In this guide, you'll get ideas for table cards, from the classic to the slightly surprising. You'll also get a few words about the table plan and how the table card can become part of the gift for your guests.
Table card ideas: what should you choose?
When choosing a table card, it's worth thinking in two layers: the card itself and what holds it up. The card can be simple or decorated, depending on the mood at the table. The holder is often what guests remember, because it can stand and decorate the whole meal through, and then go home with them afterwards.
Think about the character of the party when you choose. A quiet Sunday dinner calls for something simple, while a wedding or a bigger party can handle a bit more decoration. Take a look at table decorations and table settings together, so the table card works well with the rest of the table.
Classic table cards: folded card, plate or napkin
There are three classic ways to show a guest's seat: the folded card that stands on its own on the table; the card placed directly on the plate, so the name is the first thing the guest sees; and the name written or fastened onto the napkin, as part of the setting itself.
- The folded card is easy to make and can stand alone, without an extra holder.
- The card on the plate gives a calm, tidy look, where the table isn't filled with too much.
- A name on the napkin is a simple solution that's also part of the folding itself.
If you'd like to see more ways to fold a napkin, you can find inspiration in How do you fold napkins?. For the table setting itself, take a look at Table setting.
Find the right starting point for your table setting before choosing your table cards.
See table settingSmall holders: wine corks and figurines that carry the name
If you want the table card to stand up, a small holder is often the easiest solution. This is where ceramic wine corks and little figurines come in. They're made to seal a bottle, but work just as well as a table card holder, and the guest can take it home afterwards.
A Tulipan wine cork in ceramic or a Pink wine cork gives a soft, colourful look on the table. A Muslinge wine cork in brass or a Sol wine cork in brass gives more shine and edge. If you want a more natural look, a Gråand wine cork in wood suits a calm, earthy table setting well.
If you'd rather have a figurine, a Svale porcelain figurine can stand nicely next to the name, or you can play with a Gulerod figurine in ceramic for a festive, summery mood.
- Tulipan wine cork in ceramic from &Klevering
- Muslinge wine cork in brass from Doing Goods
- Pink wine stopper from &Klevering
- Grey duck wine stopper in wood from Wildlife Garden
- Sun wine stopper in brass from Doing Goods
- Swallow porcelain figurine
- Second selection - Carrot figure in ceramic
See the whole range under Wine stoppers and Animal figurines. If you want to read more about the idea of wine stoppers as decoration, take a look at Wine stoppers in ceramic: Give the bottle a new life.
Tip: Choose the same type of holder for all guests, but preferably in different colours or motifs, so each place gets its own little expression without the table looking cluttered.
Font and style: how to make the table card easy to read
No matter how creative the place card is, the name should be easy to read from a distance. Write with clear handwriting, and stick to the same colour and size across all the cards. This gives a calm, cohesive look, even if the cards themselves differ because they're held by different figures or wine stoppers.
Write the name so it faces the place where the guest is to sit, so it's the first thing the guest sees, typically facing in towards the centre of the table or up towards the plate.
Table plan: who sits where
The place card makes it easy for guests to find their seat, but it requires a plan behind it. Think about who talks to whom, and feel free to mix tables and parties, so the conversation gets room to move. Seat those who know each other well with a bit of distance, so new conversations can arise, and make sure that those who need peace and quiet sit somewhere without too much noise around them.
Write down the seating plan before you set out the cards, so you're sure that each place gets the right name when the table is laid.
Table cards as a guest gift
A place card can easily be more than just a name. If you choose a holder like a wine stopper in ceramic or a small figure, the guest gets a little something to take home from the party, which has also done its job at the table all evening. It's a simple way to give a gift, without it requiring extra wrapping or a spot for it next to the plate.
Take a look in Table decorations, if you want to find a holder that matches the rest of the table's style.
Frequently asked questions
What do you write on a place card?
You usually only write the guest's name, preferably with clear handwriting in the same colour and size as the other cards at the table.
How do you make place cards?
The simplest option is a folded card, a card placed on the plate or the name written directly on the napkin. Choose the style that suits the party's theme.
What can you use as a holder for a place card?
Small things like ceramic wine stoppers or small figures can hold the card in place, and the guest can take the holder home afterwards.
How do you make a seating plan?
Think about who should sit together, and feel free to mix parties a bit, so the conversation gets room to flow. Write down the plan before setting out the cards.
Where is the place card positioned?
The place card is usually positioned by or on the plate, or it's set up with a small holder in front of the guest's place, so the name faces in towards the table.
Can a place card also be a gift?
Yes, if you choose a holder like a wine stopper or a little figure, the guest gets a little something to take home from the party, while it's also done its job on the table.
Summary
A place card doesn't need to be more than a name, but the choice of shape, lettering and holder can make it part of the party's atmosphere. Keep the lettering simple and consistent, think the table plan through, and let the holder, such as a ceramic wine stopper or a little figure, become the small gift the guest takes home.
Read also
- Table decorations: how to build the centrepiece of the table
- How do you fold napkins?
- Wine stoppers in ceramic: Give the bottle a new life
- Table setting for weddings: how to set the table
Ready to set the table?
Find wine stoppers and figures that can hold the place card while also becoming a little gift for the guests.
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