need help decorating a table!

[lph]

*sigh* I need some help here. And who better to ask but the wise and witty souls on TE

We're having a confirmation party for my 15 year-old son on Sunday. Only 12 people altogether, all close family. It will all be rather/very informal, with buffet style Thai food, one long table with a pale blue tablecloth with bright coloured birds on it - hey, he picked it himself

I've asked everyone to send me photos of themselves at about that age. I thought it would be nice to focus on the family theme, and it gives everyone something funny to pass around and talk about at the table. I've resized the photos to 10x15 cm, and will get them printed on photo paper today. I'm counting on time to glue each to a piece of black cardboard.

My question is what do I do with them? I was thinking of making place cards, but not everyone has sent me a photo so I'm missing a few. Next thought was just to spread them around on the table, but then people will put glasses on them or spill food on them or something. Other ideas - glue each one on a plant stick and make a bouquet in a vase. Might work, but I'm not sure how attractive it would look. They would look nice hanging up somewhere, like in a row on a string, but then people can't pass them around.

Urg. I'm not very good at this - do any of you creative types have any ideas? That won't take too much time to prep? Some kind of card holders that will keep them upright?

[pll]

Perhaps you could get a couple of these hanging mobiles and place above the table?

http://www.amazon.com/Wee-Gallery-wg.../dp/B00274S8BA

[lph]

Thanks, that looks pretty neat! I found some cardholders with a "spike" that I can stick into something. Current idea is a pineapple

[malkin]

You could have them stabbed in the pineapple and then people could use them to stab pieces of cut up pineapple and other yummy bits.