Most people play it safe by putting common family members and friends together. This holiday season try mixing things up. You will be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Having a company Christmas party? Here are some ideas. Seat your staff members with other coworkers that they do not have daily contact with. It's a great way for your employees to meet and get to know each other and their spouses. Sometimes these new bonds have a great impact on your work place and employees have better appreciation for one another.

Planning a wedding? Try mixing Family and Friends. Weddings are not only the uniting of two people but also the uniting of two families and their friends. Keep age groups together, families with small children together, while grouping the tables with half of the bride's guests and half of the groom's guests. It's a great way to really help the two families to bond.

Once you have decided who is sitting with whom it is time to create a seating chart. This lets your guests know where they can find their seat. It can be as simple as a typed page labeled with table numbers and a list of names. Then number each table.

You can also mark each place setting; here are some ideas how to do that.

On each table place colored cardboard with the table number on it or you can incorporate your event theme. Or get even more creative.

For example, this Thanksgiving, try baking oversized sugar cookies in the shape of turkeys or fall leaves. Then place your guests names and table numbers on them, (your favorite Bakery can also make the cookies for you). Place them on your pretty holiday platter and you have your seating chart.

For a Christmas dinner, use pretty holiday boxes or tins. Place the name and number on them then place under a small table top tree. What a fun way to find your table. You can even place a small gift inside.

Now sit back and enjoy watching how new friends are made.