It’s a sticky situation we’ve all faced. You’re hosting a party when a few unexpected guests show up to join the festivities.

You don’t have enough place settings for such a large gathering, so you dig into the attic and dust off a few pieces of grandma’s fine china.

Now you’re challenged with serving up a hodgepodge of dishes and glassware that runs the risk of looking like a rummage sale gone awry.

Don’t panic! Here are a three ideas to help you with this dinner party dilemma.

How to mix and match table settings

1. something old, something new

Embrace the eclectic-ness by making sure each place setting has a mix of traditional and modern pieces, so the look will seem like a conscious decision and not a last minute fix-it.

2. pick a palette

The colors don’t have to match perfectly, but it’s preferable to pair up servingware within the same general color scheme.

Dig around until all your plates fall within a complementary palette, such as dark reds, oranges, plums and lavenders.

Don’t be afraid to add bold splashes of color such as mustard yellow, chartreuse green and even metallics.

3. personalize it

Consider tying it all together by making a short pre-meal announcement acknowledging the cherished family member who gave you the china

CHERYL SAYS