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[granddi]

Pintrest shows a silver punch bowl used as a planter but it still looks like a punch bowl. 

I have both silver and crystal bowls and cups. My mother always used them for receptions, showers, parties. They have been packed away for years. 

Same problem with silver tea/coffee services.......just stuff no one wants but hate to just toss them out. 

[fthunt]

Life is strange.......MaryBeth was selling plastic  (some material don't recall) forks, spoons & knives that YOU CAN WASH ANDS REUSE.

Isn't the purpose of throw away utensils.......... not having to wash?

I can get a box of  picnic type at the store for $23 less than Q was offering.  

[Ladybug724]

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@fthunt wrote:

Life is strange.......MaryBeth was selling plastic  (some material don't recall) forks, spoons & knives that YOU CAN WASH ANDS REUSE.

Isn't the purpose of throw away utensils.......... not having to wash?

I can get a box of  picnic type at the store for $23 less than Q was offering.  

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@fthunt I read your post and at first agreed with you until I looked up the video. They're eco-friendly, so that when you do wind up throwing them out they're plant based. Also it's better than plastic ware that goes into landfills after one use, and you can take them on picnics, camping, etc. whereas you might not want to take regular silverware

[author]

In the last few years I've started using crystal/silver pieces everyday, either in bookcases as a pretty item to offset books, plants, or more rustic items, or tablescapes, etc. 

Recently I polished a large lovely silver platter and now have it on the kitchen table for incoming mail every day.  It looks great and I love seeing it and using it every day. 

Shades of Downton Abbey I know, but it's nice if it is just a piece here and there in my home, like the cut crystal vase I put my eye pencils in on my dressing table. 

My items are mostly classic and very simple so they blend in with modern or vintage.  

[nana59]

my mother's crystal punch bowl has been stored in my basement since the 70's...no one wants it....just donated it to Goodwill.....

[shoptilyadropagain]

I think things (in my area anyway) have gotten so relaxed that I haven't seen a punch bowl used in years for any function.  I've mostly seen pretty glass pitchers (or not so pretty plastic, etc.) being used and the punch is poured into paper cups that coordinate with the paper plates and napkins.  

I'm not sure what could be done with all the glass, crystal, etc. punch bowls that were used years ago.  I know you can donate them but do people actually buy them?  

[Oznell]

Lots of items can be repurposed for more modern living, and I love @author 's creative re-using of her pretty things in a way that's useful and fun to look at!

I've seen huge punch bowls and silver trophies, silver creamers and teapots lend vintage glamour even to contemporary spaces.  Plus, it they're heirlooms, there's the additional special meaning they have.

Right now, I have a little bright spring bouquet in a lidless vintage silverplate sugar bowl in living room.  Sugar bowls make great little vases, or holders for flatware, or many other uses.

My aunt's pewter teapot sits on a decorative shelf where it holds some tall taper candles.  I currently don't have anything in my old, thrifted silverplate teapot, but it's displayed casually with some other objects in dining room.  I love its carved, ornate look, and the wink and subdued sparkle of the silver when the sun catches it...

If I was lucky enough to have a big crystal or glass punch bowl, let's see--   for spring, would probably put big moss balls in it, in summer, shells or coral, and at Christmas, favorite ornaments I'd want to display.   More casually, you could have rolled-up guest towels in it in a fancy little powder room, or use as a centerpiece with fruit, etc.

I think it just requires a new way of looking at such items-- at least, those ones that you decide you want to keep, for whatever reason.   Then happily donating the ones you don't want, is less painful, and there's still a good chance someone else might treasure the objects you shed. 

[Kachina624]

Chamber pot? 

[PA Mom-mom]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

Chamber pot? 

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@Kachina624  Hahaha! But my Mom's punch bowl is SCALLOPED! Yikes!

[author]

@Oznell   Exactly!  These beautiful objects blend in and add that extra something in any room, for many purposes, if only just to be an interesting and beautiful spot to catch one's eye.  No special purpose needed!  Beauty is all.