If you pre-set the dining room table with the plates ... don't tell the family anything in advance, but leave a note under the plate, "Santa left something behind, just for you!" ... with directions as to where to find it. Adds some excitement between courses, when the plates are removed.
My niece started this with our family, except she left lottery tickets under each plate! Others followed, and so, it became a tradition.
What you need to consider ... that it could cause problems. Only you know if your family can be like "that"! Is everyone on equal footing (in your mind), to receive the quilt? Will they all give it the quilt-love you expect? Will anyone be offended if a certain person gets it? Should the kids (if there are kids) be part of the luck of the draw?
Last edited by QuiltE; 11-20-2022 at 07:29 AM.