I have 6 sets of fine china. We entertain a lot and I use them all frequently. They are remarkably different in style but several of them coordinate (when you buy what you like, it turns out that you like similar things).
Of the china sets, 1 is a set from my wedding that I've taken from 12 to 48, 1 is a set from my MIL, and 4 I've acquired through estate sales. If the set isn't full (dinner plate, luncheon plate, salad plate, b&b plate, both types of soup bowls with saucers, fruit bowl, tea cup & saucer, demitasse cup & saucer, a few platters, some serving bowls) then I usually acquire those pieces through E-bay or Replacements. The brands are Franciscan, Limoge, Minton, Haviland, Spode, and Johnson Brothers. 2 (the Spode & Johnson Brothers) are Christmas themed and do not coordinate at all imo. I will get 2 more sets when my mother passes. Interestingly, each of the kids has a favorite so I already know who will get what when I pass. I have a similar amount of crystal and silver. I like pretty things and my kids, even our boys, do too. You should see our table when it is set. It is a sight to behold! |
I wish I had a house big enough to hold all those things! I had a set I bought secondhand that I liked but gave away. I have my grandmother’s set. I don’t love it but feel some obligation to keep it? I use it maybe a few times per year. There are 3 plate sizes and I use them all, way too many cups and saucers. Maybe I should box it up and put it in the attic and get another secondhand set I like better. |
https://www.replacements.com/china-sango-florence-5-piece-place-setting/p/60589681
Fun story, this is my mother's pattern, married 50+ years ago in NJ. When I married my husband, we were living in WI at the time and my new MIL (we've been married 20 years) had 3 sets of china (hers, her Mom's and her MIL's) and one of them was the same pattern. She gave me her set and so now my Mom and I have the same set and my sister will get my parent's set someday. I go in streaks using it. https://www.replacements.com/china-sango-florence-5-piece-place-setting/p/60589681 |
I like this one!! |
I don’t have one and have never felt like I was missing something on holidays. |
Is that lead free? I thought gold paint has lead. |
I’m not sure what ours is, it belonged to MIL (who died before I met DH) and we never use it. Honestly, it’s on my mental list of “stuff that is just taking up space in my house that I’d get rid of in a heartbeat if anything happened to DH” along with a lot of other stuff we “inherited” when we were newlyweds and FIL remarried. |
Last year I bought a Lenox set and we use it daily. Life is too short not to use something that brings me joy. |
We just sold/donated ours, as well as our crystal. We never use it, I hate the way a china cabinet looks in the dining room, it's a hassle to pull out and clean, and I really prefer informal gatherings, even on holidays.
I agree with the sentiment "do what gives you joy." Clearing out unused clutter, getting a nice big tax deduction, and never having to think about it again was the path. |
I have three sets -- Lenox Solitaire, Fostoria, and Christmas china. I actually use one or more of them a lot, once or twice a week. We entertain a lot, and I swore that there's no use having fancy china I don't use. I do put it in the dishwasher because otherwise it's too much hassle to use it. |
Most china is not completely lead free - lead is present in almost all antique china (not just the gold rim) and most current lines if you research it. Not PP, but the Mottahedeh gold rim is on the outside and wouldn't touch the food. Obviously you're supposed to hand-wash anything with a painted gold rim. |
Do you have household staff? |
Or a Chinese restaurant? |
No, just an annoyed husband who knows how much hand-washing is in store for him the next morning. |