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[Nataliesgramma]

I would keep the 7 place settings and get rid of the rest..

[chrystaltree]

I had that dilemna too when we downsized.  I had my wedding china and my mother's china. I grew up with her china, that has strong memories attached.  My girls don't want either set.  We do have a storage locker, I kept place settings of my china for 8 because I have room for that.  Everything else is in storage.  I know that at some point I will donate it all, and some other things.  I'm just not ready yet.  Find a way to keep it and when you are ready to donate, you'll know.  When you are ready, the decision will come easy.

[sweetee2]

I wish I had my mother's wedding china. When she passed her husband had a yard sale and literally sold every thing in the  house and didn't tell me.

When it's gone it's gone.

[drizzellla]

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@Lilysmom wrote:

@drizzellla , the price for real sterling silver!  My MIL was a dishes nut.  When I moved to our retirement home, we did a fragile pack meaning the movers packed dishes, art, mirrors, etc.  They said they had never seen so many dishes.  I have since gotten rid of a lot.

My MIL had a large silver bowl that Birk’s appraised at $5,000 30 years ago.  The one thing I didn’t want from her estate was dishes lol.  LM

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How did you get rid of the dishes? And my Mother had lots of bowls, serving dishes and a huge butter dish. How did you get rid of them?

[Seka]

Keep it all and use it every day.

[Allena]

I have the same decision to make.  I have several sets of my Grandmother's and Mother's china - I am not sure what to do.  If I do decide not to keep them I am going to take or write Replacements Ltd. to see if they will purchase them.  They often purchase china and those who are trying to complete sets utilize them.  Thought you might be interested in that as well.  

[jlkz]

@drizzellla 

One of the huge gathering dining rooms my college uses for fundraisers ( it originally was a famous family’s mansion before being donated ) has the most attractive wall pieces made from the family’s sterling silver:   Two large  wall sconces flanking a similar-sized clock with the serving pieces being the 12 / 3 / 6 / and 9 hour markers.  Smaller pieces mark the other numbered hour slots.

If the pieces mean something to you and are as beautiful as you say, this new life may be just the ticket.

Good Luck !

[jannabelle1]

This is a difficult decision....I've been in the same position and it's not easy. Do you have your own china and/or crystal that you use? My mother had a very complete set of beautiful china too, and it was hard to get rid of it - I sold it in an estate sale after my divorce and got very little out of it. I also sold my own 2 sets of china at the same time since I just never used it and when I moved I had no room to store it. Younger people just don't want big sets of china anymore. If you keep it, someone in your family at some point will get rid of it since they don't want it. I wish you luck in your decision.

[VaBelle35]

I have my grandmother's complete service for 12.  And when I say complete, I had to look up what some of these things were because there are 5 or 6 dishes of assorted sizes and then several size bowls.  Then all the serving dishes.  It's a pretty set, but can't go in the microwave due to the platinum edge.

My SIL wanted to split it with me, but I thought that didn't make sense.  I ended up getting rid of a formal set of dinnerware I had and kept this.

I use it mostly for lunch/tea, as it has 12 cups and saucers and dessert plates and dessert bowls.

I just love it.

[Daysdee]

You could list it on FreeCycle if you have that in your area.  I'm sure you would get a lot of interest.  I've given a lot of items away with this.  Those who are interested reply and then  I reply asking them when they can pick up said item.  When a time is set, I e-mail back with my address and say the item will be on my front porch or sometimes in front of my gate.   Amazed what people offer for free and how fast items are gone.  (even mattresses, items that need repair, etc.)  If you aren't really ready to part with the China, you may want to keep it but if you don't have a place handy you probably won't use it.  I have my wedding China in a cabinet, but haven't used it in years and probably won't now that I don't entertain.