The serving spoon belongs with the dish
A small preparation saves repeated trips back to the kitchen.
Pair things before guests arrive
Set each serving dish beside the utensil it needs. Check that the spoon or tongs fit the depth and shape of the container. A very short handle can disappear into a deep bowl, while a long one may stick into the next place setting.
Leave somewhere to rest it
If the utensil cannot stay comfortably in the dish, put a small plate nearby. Try reaching it from a seated position. Once the arrangement works, stop adding accessories: a simple table is easier to pass things across and easier to clear afterwards.