Place cards aren't just for weddings.  Have you ever attended a dinner party where the host or hostess calls everyone to the table and everyone stands awkwardly around, not knowing where they should sit?  It can be weird.  While place card holders are not a necessity in life, they are a nice table accessory to have around for when you want to host a dinner party, or if you'd like to dress up the table for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

 Not only do they help clarify the seating arrangement, place card holders add a little personality and festivity to an occasion.  Below are some DIY options for making place card holders you can use again and again, as well as the best retail options.

DIY Place Card Ideas

• Gather pinecones for a fall table like Project Wedding.
• Use Scrabble tiles like Bride's Magazine.
• Paint a plastic animal toy with Mod Podge and sprinkle on the glitter like Front + Main.
• Perfect for a Thanksgiving table, use faux pumpkins from the craft store like UnOriginal Mom.
• Mini terrarium place card holders done by Green Wedding Shoes are gorgeous for a garden party or spring celebration like Easter.
• Simple clothespins can be painted and embellished for the season like these by Centsational Girl.
• Use miniature picture frames and fill with guests' photos or printed names.

Best Place Cards to Buy

• Rustic wood place card holders by Beau Coup would be pretty on a fall or winter table.
• Elegant twig place card holders by Crate & Barrel would work for celebrations throughout the year.

• Cork place card holders by Target are great for any occasion.
• Ceramic place card holders with dry-erase marker by Pier 1 are perfectly simple.
• Clever chalkboard napkin rings by Sur la Table double as place card holders.
• Beautiful tree cloche place card holders by Pottery Barn are perfect for the holidays.