I have a LOT of table runners. Some I've made and some I've purchased. I have one on my kitchen table all the time (except when we use the table, then I use placemats) and one on my table on the sun porch. Don't like a "bare" table :)

i only use them for show when we sit down to eat i remove them i have to many gkids lol

For company, we have nice maple tv trays that we can bring out if the end tables are not enough for drinks and snacks. Our house is an open plan and the dining area is off the living area so I just set the snacks out on the dining table and let people help themselves.
We are very casual folks and live out in the country. We don't stand on formality here so it works fine for us. Also, I have fibromyalgia and am on disability so don't really entertain a lot. Our company knows our situation and they don't expect much from me in the way of hostessing. LOL

Only since I've started watching "House Hunters" do I know what "open plan" means. One of the things all the potential buyers ask for.

We're casual too but I try to keep things off the end tables. Any time there's a drink on one of them, sure enough someone walks by and manages to get it on the floor. So I love my big coffee tables (two sofas, two coffee tables) (and an excuse for two runners LOL).

No I don't but I know lots of people who do.

I make table runners because I have no wall space left!

I love making and using tablerunners. I change them month to month. i have a vey country style home and they just work well. Don't want to cover my beautiful wooden table with a tablecloth.

There is one on my table all year long. I have several and switch them out. I have a Christmas one, fall, patriotic (on the table now) and an everyday one.

Yes and I change it periodically.