It's True - Gracious Living Has Gone Out Of Fashion

[countryguy]

I inherited my mom's Royal Doulton china after she died in 2001. She bought it in 1965. I still have her original receipts - they were in the china cabinet. She paid $12.95 for a 5 piece place setting. Growing up I remember using the china only a handful of times at Christmas dinner. Since I've had the china, I have used it every year at Christmas dinner. I like to set a nice table for Christmas dinner. Everything gets washed in the dishwasher. I hate eating on paper/plastic plates...even at a BBQ.

Gary

 

[norgeway]

I always

Use our china for company, Actually is Taylor Smith and Taylor Moderne, and our stainless is Oneida Twin Star, for company I use cloth place mats and napkins, But just for Donald and I we use Corelle,we have a 24 place setting of the TSandT and the Twin Star!

 

[petek]

We grew up with the semi formal Sunday dinner in the dining room but that had pretty much faded by the time I left home. The only time mom used the dining room afterwards was for Xmas or Thanksgiving type events. When my partner and I got together those 36 years ago we had a nice set of china and started a silverware set which I'd add to each birthday and Xmas.. We have all the pieces now but they haven't seen the light of day in probably a good 15 years, squirreled away somewhere. Back in our younger years we loved having big orphan Xmas dinners and birthday party's for people. Not now.

The thrift stores around here abound with good quality chinaware and silverware sets avec chests,, real silverware as well as stainless and it sits there for weeks sometimes .. I wonder if they just toss it after not selling.. And then there's all the silver plate service pieces like servers, trays creamers, coffee pots tea pots etc.. not cheap stuff in its day.. all for nothing. No one seems to want it, not even the antiquey people who used to dog these places for hours.. they're all gone too for the most part.

 

[sudsmaster]

Starting back in the 1950's my mom sent in coupons, I think from Green Stamps (remember those?) and slowly built up a collection of sterling silverware, which she guarded carefully. When she had to be moved into a rest home I cleaned out her apartment and found in a sort of secret cupboard, a red felt bag with the silverware. It was all there, a bit tarnished, and some pieces a bit worn from some use. I reckon she broke out a setting for herself to enjoy from time to time.

Eight place settings of six pieces each - including very cute butter knives. Oneida Sterling "Heiress". I was surprised at how dainty the spoons and forks were, especially compared to the hefty stainless flatware that has become so popular today. She later said, "You keep it", before she passed away. Anyway, I have it locked up in my safe now, haven't looked at it in years.

I just got it out of the safe... it's loverly. I had never seen all of it until I cleaned out her apartment. She kept it that secret. I'd weigh it but somehow would rather not know. I know how important it was to her, at this point that's all that really matters.

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[launderess]

"I tend to look slightly askance at those who equate a state of grace with worldly possessions. What is far more important are cordial human relations, good deeds, and kindness to animals."

And I for one thank you for spreading that little ray of sunshine.

 

[sudsmaster]

[No message]

 

[sudsmaster]

"And I for one thank you for spreading that little ray of sunshine. "

Anytime, dearie, just holler.

 

[ea56]

So much for cordial human relations.

Eddie

 

[petek]

as mentioned above.. I agree.

it's getting hard to find ordinary knives and forks today that aren't jumbo sized, like they were made for ham fisted toddlers with little dexterity.

 

[luxflairguy]

My table always has a tablecloth on it as I hate a bare table.  I use a cloth napkin for dinner along with my Wedgewood china and my Grandmother's 1910 silverplate.  Even when I'm alone!  I still iron my sheets,  too!

 

[mattl]

I had 30+ people over for Christmas Eve and had enough china and crystal to handle the crowd, albeit with 2 differing sets of china, but that is a minor thing.  No paper here even for the young kids, they get china just as everyone else did. New Year's Eve was a smaller group, only 12 and for that the table was set with china, and crystal and lots of silver, all stuff accumulated over many many decades by my mother and later by me.  Why keep it in a cabinet?  Use it.

 

Don't have any sterling, only silver plate for the flatware, but that is fine.  Still like the warmth of silver vs. the everyday stainless.

 

[mixrman]

My wife and I subscribe to the idea that 'a well laid table is an unspoken compliment' to our guests. Several times each year, when it is our turn to host one of the three, twelve-couple 'supper clubs' to which we belong (there is not a lot to do in rural Alabama…), we always use the 'good stuff' - china, crystal, silver-plated flatware (not enough sterling yet), and antique linens. Most, but not all, of the other members do the same when it is their turn to host. We find that clean-up is not really a problem- which seems to be the complaint we hear most often from the younger set. We usually have everything hand washed and put away in 1/2 hour - not bad at all! Plus- it is fun to discuss the party while we tidy up. The linens are no trouble at all - of course having an Ironrite really helps!