No way, don't rush into it! Dining room tables can be very expensive, and they're something you're going to have to live with for a very long time. So even if you CAN afford it right now, take your time and wait until you find one you really like.

For this Thanksgiving, instead serve on folding tables. Borrow from friends and relatives (make all of your pushy family bring some) and use a table cloth to "fancy it up" a bit.

Or serve it al fresco! Arrange a buffet and have people eat without a formal table. It's a bit tricky with such a big feast, but it's done.

You'll want to get a dining table in the future, so I think it's a great idea so long as you can afford it. After all, you need a place to put your meal. You can find really great deals on Craigslist.com in the furniture section. Often times the items are essentially brand new.

If you cannot afford to purchase a table, explain the situation to your family. I'm sure they'll understand. Don't stress! :)

Hmm... well... they invited themselves, and I know a lot of people who would just say, "Sure, come on over... and bring as many foldout tables and chairs as you can get, because we just moved in and haven't finished furnishing and we don't have a dining room table yet."

In most cases, people will just find a way to bring over as many foldout tables and chairs as they can.

I mean... are they expecting you to pay for the meal *and* fork over for a dining room table just like that?

Hmm... now... I'm not saying this is what they are planning... but it's something for *you* to think about if *you* and your kin get the idea of inviting yourselves to a relatives' for Thanksgiving when you know they've just moved in and you know fthey don't have a dining room table yet...

Good dining room tables are nto cheep - nor are good thanksgiving meals - therefore all those who invited themselves for dinner should chip in to buy a dining room table.

That makes it fair.

The people at the new location are spending money for a feast, and they need a good dining room table for housewarming, which are expensive, so if everyone not buying food chips in on a table, then in fact, what that family will be paying to put on a good thanksgiving dinner will be about the same per-family-unit as what it would cost to buy a dining room table if all the other family units attending were to pitch in to buy a dining room tables.

Maybe your family's not going to do that for you, but it's something to keep in mind in case some day it's *you* inviting yourself to someone else's thanksgiving when they've just moved and don't have a dining room table.

No, because after the meal they will belch and leave! Don't waste your hard earned money!