Formal dinner sets for entertaining ?

[Bedtime1]

I don't have a formal dinner set for Christmas or entertaining . Have you seen any nice sets? Bit worried about going for patterned because if you broke a plate or something then the range might have discontinued . Should I go for just white ? What do you do and what looks best round , square etc ? Where could I get a nice set ?

Thanks

We have the Spode Christmas Tree china and use it from December 1st until 12th Night. I have been gradually buying pieces for nearly 20 years and it has always been available.

Generally if you buy a good set you can register your details so thry sen you a warning if they discontinue the range. And there are enough ruthless people to buy stock in bulk and make a fortune selling replacement plates.

But we decided to buy Denby Stoneware for informal and formal every day use. It is not beautiful but never breaks or - you can oven, dishwasher etc.

Because you can buy a set including jugs and tableware etc it is not bad for guests.

I have 12 white oval plates and 4-6 each assorted bowls.
Then I can add on Portmerion plates (Holly and Ivy) or Spode (Christmas Tree)

I've got a BHS Ivy patterned dinner set ( now discontinued ), plus a large bowl and large oval plate for Festive Meals

The white set has lots of 'add ons' like a huge rectangular plate and divided dishes for vegetables

I have Royal Doulton Fusion Platinum for special occasions, its not christmassy but I do love it, it is a clean bright white with a rim of platinum on each piece.

I got mine when we got married and added to it over a few years --back when I had disposible income-- I would definitely go for simple timeless classic, I do like the idea of plain white with christmassy plates added in.

You can get nice sets in charity shops for a fraction of the price of new. It is a bit of luck of chancing on the right thing but they are sometimes hardly used if they have been someone's best china and mostly kept in a cabinet.
Obviously you won't be able to replace breakages but a least you won't have paid a fortune for it.

How much do you want to spend and how many place settings do you need?

For flexibility to add pieces I would go for a classic range from a known manufacturer that has been available for some time (e.g. Denby, Wedgwood, Portmeirion, Churchill) so that you can replace breakages and add more pieces over time.

If you can go to the factory shop then you might be able to find a bargain. Seconds can be heavily reduced, but if you get seconds spend some time checking each piece because some seconds are barely noticeable seconds and others are pretty bad.

Sorry DS interrupted post! Now he's at school I'll continue...

With the factory shops it is very variable what they have, but look out for sales where the seconds price is further reduced. 10. Years ago we got the Jamie Oliver white china from the factory shop something like 50% off the seconds price. But that was luck being there at the right time. We've then added more bits over the years.

I would start looking at the John Lewis website to start getting an idea of what's out there.

We have Portmeirion Botantic Garden for everyday and Jamie Oliver white for best. However my definition of best is quite low so I will often use it for a better than normal dinner or a Sunday roast.

I want to get a bit of Christmas china, but I will just get some serving plates. I'm lusting after a Spode Christmas tree and Portmeirion things. I will hopefully go to a Portmeirion factory shop in the January sales to look for bargains.

TK Max they sell all sorts, royal worsceter, doulton and so on, always check them out fist, homesense before spending laods

i have seen portmerion and spode in tk max.

If you live near a Boundary Mill they sell some big name china at very good prices.

YY TKMaxx , I got my Portmerion Holly and Ivy plates and bowls there, a Spode Christmas Tree Plate too

Holly and Ivy Pudding Basin and Custard jug from QVC

And a really overpriced Spode Christmas Tree tiny little tray (to put a box of After Eights on) in a naice Leeds store (IIRC it was about £12 over a decade ago must have seen me coming )

70 are they in there now?

I have been looking on john Lewis and have seen a LSA white dining set range. Has anybody tried LSA? I think I will get a white set that I can use for both but I know some plates are really heavy and not dishwasher safe . So looking for not too heavy plates and dishwasher safe.

The Christmas Spode trees look lovely what a great idea . I could add those into my white set.

I do love the Vera wang and royal doulton but too expensive as I am moving house so might build up a collection like in that price range when I have got over house moving and all associated costs.
Also I would love a dresser or similar for the dining room but will not get that for a while so nowhere to store a fancy set yet.

I haven't been in TKMaxx recently KnittedJimmy but I was in HomeSense today (the homeware dept of TKMaxx) and they didn't have any .

I'll put a post up if I see any