I like to use clear dishware. I have a huge set from Princess House Crystal that I
love.
I really like that I can change the entire look of the dishes with a different color table cloth. It's almost like having a new set for every occasion.
For holidays, I use different colored place mats. I'll alternate red and green for Christmas. Fall colors for Thanksgiving, and so on. The plates will take on the color of mats they're on, and I dress the table accordingly.
One of the things I liked to do when the kids were younger was allow them to help make something special for the table. Once, we used little pine cones glued to (new) hair scrunchies for napkin rings. Another time, they did colored hand cut-outs with guest names on them and glued them onto popsicle sticks. Added to a few flowers into a small vase for "reserved seating". Or gather all the hand cut-outs and place them into a center piece for the table. Looks great and gives the kids a sense of pride.
Never could figure out a way to make it fun to clean the dishes tho