i use them all the time, on coffee table, end tables, on an island; i have a small round one in the center of the kitchen table that i put salt & pepper/oil & vinegar bottles on. I use placemats and linen napkins too...every day not just for holidays.
now the funny part...none of them i use i've made; they were all from swaps or gifts. i never make stuff like that for us (hubby sure thinks i should) so in order to have them to use i have to sign up for swaps/exchanges and hope for new ones as gifts...I am terrible about getting sewing done for us...we are always last; i made something like 150 quilts before i ever made one for my bed...
everytime i get a table runner made, or new set of placemats there is always someone standing in line waiting for "theirs"...a couple of the little quilts i've received from the doll quilt swap have become 'table-mats' too :)