The "Good" China (plates!)

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

We received a set of good plates, bowls, cups, serving platters etc when we married 11 years ago. We use it a few times a year... and I'm trying to make an effort to use it more. Its not ultra expensive... Portmeirion. But very pretty.

Our everyday plates our chipped and mismatched and now our children are a bit older and we aren't moving anymore, we want to replace with a matching g set.

DH suggested we could replace the 'good' set and use the old set as the everyday.
Another alternative would be to only have the 'good' set. But I wouldn't want to use it outside. And we can't replace bits.
Or my plan... I've seen some sets i like in Asda.

Is it worth having a good set? The last time we had visitors for dinner was March15 2020. Hopefully that can change now!

Use the good set! It's meant to be used and enjoyed :) or buy another set that you love the look of, and is sturdy. I like made.com

And if you break bits, I bet it is easy to obtain on eBay

We’re still using the good set we had as wedding presents 29 years ago
Coalport Countryware ( now unavailable )
We only have 5 dinner plates left ( but there’s only 2 of us at home now , so it’s fine )
Also have a set of Spode Christmas plates that are used every December
If you have nice stuff , use it !

I've still got my best china I got for my wedding 25 years ago (Wedgewood). I still use it for best - I'd be heartbroken if it got broken. We use IKEA stuff every day.

We got Denby when we got married and have always used it every day. But our set was discontinued fairly quickly and so now after 20 years of marriage and 3 DC we only have 6 of some pieces instead of 12. I still love the set but in some ways wish we had kept it for best. We have the same issue with our crystal glasses, but we took advantage of the Majestic offers and now have a set of 12 Dartington crystal wine glasses we got for free that we don't use day to day. I've not bought a new dinner set yet but we do have a set of plates and plastic glasses for the garden.

We are using nice stuff everyday now. It's not bone china but a really good and tough earthenware.
We are at the point where we can afford to replace it if really necessary and I'm not getting any younger!

Have you checked the China matching services online?

Portmeirion can be picked up relatively easily (and affordably!) on eBay, so if you wanted to use it as an everyday set breakages could be replaced assuming it’s a popular pattern!

I have a ‘best’ china which I am way too scared and lazy to use as it’s bone china and not dishwasher safe. I’ve not used it in a few years, but have it on display and admire it daily. As an occasional treat when my 3 year olds aren’t around I’ll have a cuppa using it, or pull bits out to admire it 😂

We plumped to use our good stuff every day. Even replaced the cheap Asda cutlery with my canteen of wedding stuff last year and use it daily.

My mum still has her wedding china, and her Mums. All still intact. I think I’d rather purchase new Denby every decade than see it unused

We only have Denby, and that gets used in the garden and taken on picnics too. I haven't got space for lots of crockery either. Use your nice stuff! If you can't bear to use it outside, get some Asda/Wilko or whatever that you can replace as necessary.

I have a full Noritake set, that only comes out at Christmas. I do think I need to use it more. Had it for about 30 years or more and it's maybe been used 10 times.

Off the back of this thread I think I will use the tea set tomorrow. Just because.

I'd start adding to your current set and use it every day. Get some enamel or bamboo plates for outside.

We have a best, Royal Doulton set, and an everyday cheaper set.

We have Denny. We also have their serving dishes which are great. They sometimes have 40% off sales, so worth buying in bulk.

Denby, stupid automatic 🙄

Apparently our set is now stupidity priced second hand... forty five pounds for two plates for example!

I'm going to aim to use it at least twice a month.

We have over ten “nice” dinner sets

I love to cook and entertain, it is my weakness. I used to use really old stuff for daily and keep the nice stuff for guests.

But since Covid, I’ve started using all the nice plates and napkins for daily use. And if something breaks, well that’s life. I guess I’ve realised that we deserve the “best”

I also love buying vintage dinner sets off eBay. They have some gorgeous stuff.

If you are looking for a set for outside use, this for example looks lovely

vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=265162407884&category=18913&pm=1&ds=0&t=1624740451045&cspheader=1

Oops, this is the link www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265162407884

Save nothing for best. Best is today. You own that dinner set and have a right to eat your food off it whenever the hell you like.

I'm in the use it camp.

My children will most likely not want to inherit a full set of china so if I don't use it..

Best is today, indeed!

Use the good stuff , what’s the point of having it otherwise.

I’d suggest using your portmeiron for everyday and enjoying it, & getting a Corningware set for outside/Picnics/visiting kids

Don't keep things 'for best'. Every day should be best 😘