I don't use them. You're right, of course. Cranberry sauce, gravy and wine can leave their permanent marks. Still, I'm not crazy about them. They have a little bit too much of a roadside diner feeling when I'm trying to create a classy restaurant ambience. Nothing wrong with a diner, but it's not usually the feeling I'm going for when I entertain in the dining room.
I do use a plastic cover when I want to protect the table while I'm working on a messy art project.
Maybe, when my grandchildren graduate from the children's table to the grown-up table, we'll use one for a little while, but until then, I'll take my chances.

I don't use them because I dislike the cold, clammy feel when resting my arm or hands on them. I can totally understand why people do use them, though. After every Christmas Day dinner, my tablecloths, if I use them, go straight into the washer to soak overnight, because of spills, etc.
Lynn

I hate how they feel against your arms too! I always swore I'd never use them because of that and I don't care for the look.

Hmm.. So it is possible to get the muck and stains off?

I don't care for them either but have ruined a few tablecloths the first time out and usually don't use them anymore unless we have company.

I don't use them but if you will be and want to get rid of the creases....unfold them and throw one at a time in the clothes dryer for a few minutes. Just long enough to warm it a little.

I don't use them either...I remember my mom had them years ago...
If you put Stain Stick on it usually gets it out, and the sooner the better. I also soak mine overnight, and then wash the next morning. Don't put it in the dryer till you see if the stain has come out...if not work on it some more.
I make sure the gravy boat has a plate with it, even if it didn't come with the boat. Plates under the cranberry sauce, and one relative always brings beets, KILLER stains, so a plate under that too!

On my Battenburg even though it says not to, I use a MILD solution of bleach...never ruined one yet!

I'm soo glad you asked this question. I had been wondering the same thing. I do not like the feeling or look either but I don't have alot of table cloths. I have a damaske (sp?) looking one from wally world last year that I used the whole month of Dec. just left it on. We do not have a eat in kitchen so the dinning area is informal. I kept the cloth covered to save it from ruin.
Do you all only eat at the decorated tables the actual holiday?? What do you do on a daily basis??

I don't care for the feel or the look of them either.
Kathleen, I had to laugh about the Beets...my mom would always make that, and there would ALWAYS be some spots from them. I agree to the StainStick, (swear by it)and also the overnite soaking. One year, my nephew blew out a Very Large Red Candle from the centerpiece. The Red Colored Wax from it blew all over my tablecloth, leaving a nasty stain. He felt awful..but I did the Stain Stick, soak & wash..several times and it came out.
As far as eating at the table each nite...I use placemats..easier to clean up and throw in the wash, and less expensive than a tablecloth. Sometimes during the holiday week, if I keep a nice tablecloth on the dining room or kitchen table, I use place mats right on top of them. I'll use a coordinating color and it looks festive. Also, easy to clean while keeping the tablecloth protected.
jane

Like Jane, I use placemats for most of the nightly meals. Easy to keep clean, and the round woven ones that are so popular now can be wiped off easily.
I like to use different colors...and yes, sometimes I put the mats over the tablecloth for another layer of color...

Oh those BLOODY beets! LOL...Red wine is nasty too!

I'm going woodsie for Thanksgiving and putting a large burlap runner over my tablecloth...I think it cost $4.oo for the burlap and I don't have to worry about spills.