Is it rude to sit guests on stools rather than chairs?

[RandomMusing]

Having guests over, 9 of us in total; 4 adults, 15, 12, 12, 10 & 8. I have 6 dining room chairs. My options are:
Stool, plus piano stool to squish two on.
Stool, piano stool and coffee table
Borrow chairs from MIL but this will involve a 40 min walk/train/bus/walk in each direction (I.e. not practical at all)

Would you be offended if you came for a meal and (your kids) didn't have proper chairs to sit on?

Not offended at all, that's normal at Christmas for kids IMO. As an adult with dicky joints, I wouldn't be very comfortable but kids, absolutely yes.

I wouldn’t be offended but I might wonder why you didn’t mention it because I could probably bring some folding chairs with me. ) I have 4 nice ones which would probably solve the issue if there were space for them.

I wouldn't mind but if you think they might you would offer to sit on stools yourselves, then they couldn't really be offended that you'd put their smallest child on a stool.

Also, I know this is mumsnet, but if it was me I would be able to borrow a couple of chairs from neighbours. Is that a possibility?

Send out a message seeing if the people with kids could bring them a chair. Wouldn't be offended about sitting on a stool, but might be rather miffed as we have 6 fairly comfy camping chairs in the garage, that would be more comfy than the stools and very easy to bring.

I'd put the guests on the chairs and me and kids on stools. I'd also mention it in advance and ask if anyone coming by car has any folding chairs they could bring.

Our camping chairs would be low around a regular dining table. The garden chairs would work.

I remember many a Xmas sitting on stools and whatever else worked. I wouldn’t put two on a piano stool, individual seats are more comfortable.

Might be worth asking family if they have anything small and easy to carry that they could bring as seating.

No, they're coming by bus. Was thinking the youngest on a chair and probably my DC15, the two 12 year olds (one is mine) and the 10 year old on stools. 4 adults on chairs as the kid will likely not be as long at the table.

Camping chairs won’t work and a stool would be preferable.

I’d mention in passing your plan (which sounds sensible) but more as an advisory, not as a request for permission. Then your guests might decide they want to bring folding chairs on the bus (or drop them off early by car maybe?)

I think if you are entertaining then you should be the ones sitting on stools.

Why not the children on stools though? They’re the perfect age for that (not too small they might wriggle off)

AbsolUtely fine

have you got camping chairs at all? I’ve been to houses before and they get the camping chairs out.

Standard at Christmas. We used to fight over who got to sit on the step-ladder as there weren't even enough stools! Chairs are boring. The novelty of an unconventional seat is appealing for kids.

totally fine. Would always check with neighbours they’re nice) but they might well need all theirs if they’re also hosting

Yes a very good idea. I have loads of chairs and have lent them out when people have needed them.

I think adults always should have chairs and then children should have chairs from the oldest downwards

Is there enough room around the table? If not get a foldable picnic table and camping chairs for the children, stick a Christmas table cloth over it and jobs a good'un, it's likely you'll be able to pick them up cheap this time of year too. Camping chairs and table can both be used later in the year.

Otherwise just stick a message out that you have stools for everyone to sit at but if the children need chairs that they are welcome to bring camping ones, they'll be easy to manage on the bus.

I don’t think the kids will mind stools. I’ve ended up sat on a short table at one Christmas dinner. That was hard on my back and I was glad to get a folding chair the next year.

We bring in the garden chairs if there are more than 5 at the table...luckily we have a big table.

It's part of the fun at Christmas, I've sat on piano stools (shared with dh), garden chairs, computer chairs to name a few.

Might be a bit late for this year, but if you often host, then buying some of these and storing them in the loft/garage might be a good idea.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/gunde-folding-chair-white-60217799/

I'd put the guests on the chairs and your own kids (and yourselves if necessary) on the stools this year though.

Generally, older children should be fine on stools, they're used to them in practical subjects in secondary school.

I would swap DS a stool for a chair because he's hypermobile and dyspraxic and is highly accomplished at sliding off chairs, and I'd cope better with a stool than him, but that's quite a specific issue for a young person rather than the trend.

With my lower back issues, I'd have to tell you that I can't sit on a stool for that long. I'd excuse myself to sit on the couch if no better option. So yes, get chairs with proper back support if you can. If a cafe or restaurant ever tries a stool or bench with me, I go elsewhere if they can't change it.

I've got some metal folding chairs from Argos/Habitat for this sort of thing, they were about £15 each and are nice and stable.

I'd have come to see you, and wouldn't be fussed about chairs (as long as there is somewhere to plonk your arse).

But I have 6 squishable camping chairs and I'd happily bring if that would be helpful. So deffo worth asking, if you think more chairs would be helpful