Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think it's perfectly fine either way and I tend to be ridiculous about etiquette. I have a beautiful set of fall china that I only use for Thanksgiving. I have 40 place settings. I got really lucky years ago and found it an attic. I use it because I love it! However, I can totally see the benefit of disposable. I have a huge family. I have five kids, one sister has four and the other three. My oldest two are married. I have a grandchild. My oldest nephew is married. Our parents are alive and well and until a couple of years ago so were my grandparents. We usually have between 30 and 40 people at Thanksgiving. I could totally see using some really pretty, heavy disposable plates. I would get the kind that look like China and use real silverware.
Even with my China, I get the paper stuff for the dessert table because I think it's pretty! Thanksgiving is about spending time with those you love and about remembering how very lucky we are. It should be a relaxed time. I'm all about good manners and etiquette. Some of the PPs think they understand the meaning of good manners, but are missing the mark. People with class don't make others feel bad about their choices. The whole point of manners is to make others feel comfortable. If you are using your good China to prove a point, you're doing it wrong. If it would bother you to eat turkey off of a plastic plate, you are totally missing the point of Thanksgiving. And frankly, your own parents should have raised you better.
I love this post
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'd rather attend a laid back meal on disposable plates any day rather than a stuffy formal meal. That was never the point of Thanksgiving.
Yes, when I think of 18th and 19th century solemn religious holidays that follow fast days, I think "laid back."
Anonymous wrote:I'd rather attend a laid back meal on disposable plates any day rather than a stuffy formal meal. That was never the point of Thanksgiving.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paper plates say to me 'I care more about my convenience than your enjoyment'. You wouldn't have a dinner party and use paper plates - that would be considered insulting. Same with Thanksgiving. As others have noted, if you don't have the dishes and flatware, you can rent them. It's not that much work either way. If people are making the effort to come to your house - especially if they're flying in - they deserve a nice atmosphere as well as good food and great company.
Right, but that's like 10 people. For 40 people, I think it's reasonable to use paper plates. Personally, I don't factor paper vs. china into my definition of "atmosphere".
Frankly, I think a Thanksgiving dinner with 40 people is too many.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Paper plates say to me 'I care more about my convenience than your enjoyment'. You wouldn't have a dinner party and use paper plates - that would be considered insulting. Same with Thanksgiving. As others have noted, if you don't have the dishes and flatware, you can rent them. It's not that much work either way. If people are making the effort to come to your house - especially if they're flying in - they deserve a nice atmosphere as well as good food and great company.
Right, but that's like 10 people. For 40 people, I think it's reasonable to use paper plates. Personally, I don't factor paper vs. china into my definition of "atmosphere".
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:When I'm hosting for a large group (which for us is about 30) I always rent everything- chargers, matching China, tablecloths, cloth napkins- everything. It all comes in racks like dishwasher racks- we put them on the back deck and only have to scrape food off and put dishes in rack. All linens just go in a bag. Clean up is so easy and you can set a beautiful table with everything matching.
Are you in the DC area? What does this run?
Anonymous wrote:I think it's perfectly fine either way and I tend to be ridiculous about etiquette. I have a beautiful set of fall china that I only use for Thanksgiving. I have 40 place settings. I got really lucky years ago and found it an attic. I use it because I love it! However, I can totally see the benefit of disposable. I have a huge family. I have five kids, one sister has four and the other three. My oldest two are married. I have a grandchild. My oldest nephew is married. Our parents are alive and well and until a couple of years ago so were my grandparents. We usually have between 30 and 40 people at Thanksgiving. I could totally see using some really pretty, heavy disposable plates. I would get the kind that look like China and use real silverware.
Even with my China, I get the paper stuff for the dessert table because I think it's pretty! Thanksgiving is about spending time with those you love and about remembering how very lucky we are. It should be a relaxed time. I'm all about good manners and etiquette. Some of the PPs think they understand the meaning of good manners, but are missing the mark. People with class don't make others feel bad about their choices. The whole point of manners is to make others feel comfortable. If you are using your good China to prove a point, you're doing it wrong. If it would bother you to eat turkey off of a plastic plate, you are totally missing the point of Thanksgiving. And frankly, your own parents should have raised you better.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My family uses them but we aren't pretentious little bitches. No clean up, more time as family.
It was only a matter of time before the vulgarity came out. Why are you so angry that people want to use *gasp* real plates on a special day? OP asked a question; people are responding with their opinions. You'll continue to use paper plates; it works for you. But do you have to call other people who don't "bitches"? Really?