Anonymous wrote:I've seen plenty of decent looking disposable plates that are strong at the party store, for a good price. And plastic ware that looks like the real stuff. I'm so happy my family isn't so fussy that they would have issue with disposable plates! I stopped using our china for holiday meals b/c that requires hand washing vs. the dishwasher. Our regular plates are white stoneware, so paired with some good decorations and nice table linens, it looks great. If I was hosting 25 ppl, I for sure would use disposable!

If you don't use your china for holidays, when do you use it? If you don't use it, why do you have it? I think it's sad that our society is ALWAYS placing comfort/convenience before taking the time and effort to make something truly special, like an elegant holiday meal.

I think the nicer disposable plates/cups/etc. are fine. I've never hosted this many people but my parents usually have 20-30 at holidays and they always use disposable. But our holidays aren't very formal and people eat in different rooms and such. I guess if you're having a very formal sit-down meal for 25 people you might want to use actual plates and not disposables.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IKEA plates can be super cheap:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10057067/

$2.50 x 25 = $62.50 for plates. But actually you need 50 plates, because of dessert, so either $125 for plates, or somebody has to wash and dry 25 plates. And then OP either has to find a place to store 25 (or 50) plates, or OP has to give 25 (or 50) almost-brand-new plates to a thrift store.

Most people have a dishwasher for that. Its all the weird serving pieces and pots and pans that have to get washed in the sink, and that happens whether you use paper or china plates.

I vote high end disposable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IKEA plates can be super cheap:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10057067/

$2.50 x 25 = $62.50 for plates. But actually you need 50 plates, because of dessert, so either $125 for plates, or somebody has to wash and dry 25 plates. And then OP either has to find a place to store 25 (or 50) plates, or OP has to give 25 (or 50) almost-brand-new plates to a thrift store.

Presumably OP has 8 plates already. You can buy 12 dinner plates for $30 at Target or Bed Bath Beyond or IKEA or lots of places. Kids can use paper. You can get two sets of 10 or 3 sets of 8 dessert plates for $30 to. They will stack in two boxes.

If you want to get them, and think you might host again in the future, go ahead and get them. I have a set of 12 dinner plates with gold rims that I got at Pier One twenty years ago, and 8 or 10 glass dessert plates from Crate and Barrel. I probably don't even use them once a year but they just sit in their boxes in the basement and when I need them, I have them.

I do use paper napkins

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IKEA plates can be super cheap:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10057067/

$2.50 x 25 = $62.50 for plates. But actually you need 50 plates, because of dessert, so either $125 for plates, or somebody has to wash and dry 25 plates. And then OP either has to find a place to store 25 (or 50) plates, or OP has to give 25 (or 50) almost-brand-new plates to a thrift store.

Now you have made me intervene to clarify an important issue regarding large scale Thanksgiving entertaining. Although paper plates may not be used for the main course, it is perfectly acceptable to use paper plates for dessert. One may buy the festive Thanksgiving themed plates for this purpose. One usually finds these plates in the same store where your guests will purchase the plain white or cream colored note cards used to write thank you notes. It is all in the spirit of the holiday.

Duh. I said that 20 minutes ago. But you are correct about the cream colored (it is after Labor Day) note cards.

Anonymous wrote:I was getting worn out by the early Halloween posts, and now Thanksgiving? Maybe we should talk about Christmas, now, too!

Geez, yesterday was the first day of fall. Let's be in the moment for a minute!

Was in Costco yesterday and can confirm they have three aisles of CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS. On the first day of fall.

OP, get some fun Thanksgiving-themed heavier paper plates and call it a day. No one cares and no one wants to do a million dishes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IKEA plates can be super cheap:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10057067/

$2.50 x 25 = $62.50 for plates. But actually you need 50 plates, because of dessert, so either $125 for plates, or somebody has to wash and dry 25 plates. And then OP either has to find a place to store 25 (or 50) plates, or OP has to give 25 (or 50) almost-brand-new plates to a thrift store.

Now you have made me intervene to clarify an important issue regarding large scale Thanksgiving entertaining. Although paper plates may not be used for the main course, it is perfectly acceptable to use paper plates for dessert. One may buy the festive Thanksgiving themed plates for this purpose. One usually finds these plates in the same store where your guests will purchase the plain white or cream colored note cards used to write thank you notes. It is all in the spirit of the holiday.

I've seen plenty of decent looking disposable plates that are strong at the party store, for a good price. And plastic ware that looks like the real stuff. I'm so happy my family isn't so fussy that they would have issue with disposable plates! I stopped using our china for holiday meals b/c that requires hand washing vs. the dishwasher. Our regular plates are white stoneware, so paired with some good decorations and nice table linens, it looks great. If I was hosting 25 ppl, I for sure would use disposable!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of us think a key feature is the food, as well.

Does the food taste different if you eat it off a disposable plate vs. a permanent plate?

Actually, the china, flatware, bar ware, and overall ambiance does have an impact on the experience of a festive holiday meal, including the food.

Agreed. If you went to your favorite special-occasion restaurant, and they served you the same food on disposable plates and out of plastic cups, because they ran out, would you or would you not have a less enjoyable experience?

Anonymous wrote:I would rent the dishes. You won't even have to clean them, so a win there, too.

That's still really expensive, on top of the hundreds of dollars it already costs to host that many people. Maybe all of the guests who are offended by plastic disposables can offer to pay for the dish rentals?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of us think a key feature is the food, as well.

Does the food taste different if you eat it off a disposable plate vs. a permanent plate?

Actually, the china, flatware, bar ware, and overall ambiance does have an impact on the experience of a festive holiday meal, including the food.

Anonymous wrote:Is there going to be a table? We eat on disposable plates. The combo of disposable plates + sitting on the couch is what gets to me. If I have to slave over my inlaws food for days beforehand, I don't want to eat it on the couch on a paper plate.

So wish I could host a holiday!

PP who uses disposables, I would never make people eat dinner on the couch. There are always tables with proper tableclothes, centerpieces, and enough salt and pepper shakers, bread baskets, gravy, etc. to spread along the tables so no one has to reach too far. I absolutely care about people's comfort and ability to enjoy the meal.

I would rent the dishes. You won't even have to clean them, so a win there, too.

Go to a thrift shop. I have bought very high end plates still in boxes for less than a dollar. Many people take unwanted wedding or shower gifts there.