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[lulu2]

We will be married 46 years next month.  My generation registered for china, crystal and silver flatware.  I use all of it and my husband washes it by hand.

I figure I'd better use it because no one wants it after me.

I love setting elegant tables even if it is just the two of us.

[DiAnne]

I have my great-grandmothers, my grandmothers and my mothers.  I have been trying to get rid of them.  My daughter does not want any of it.  I have a large set of white Wedgewood I use for good and for everyday it is Fiestaware.  

I have talked to antique stores, consignment shops, etc. about selling it.  They all say the same thing - no market for it.  

[Marsha2003]

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@DiAnne wrote:

I have my great-grandmothers, my grandmothers and my mothers.  I have been trying to get rid of them.  My daughter does not want any of it.  I have a large set of white Wedgewood I use for good and for everyday it is Fiestaware.  

I have talked to antique stores, consignment shops, etc. about selling it.  They all say the same thing - no market for it.  

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@DiAnne

What patterns do you have?

[Rockycoast]

Yes! I still use my wedding china and crystal and sliverware. It is to beautiful not to use. Besides my wedding china I also collect "Old Country Roses" china and all the accessories. Then there are the 4 different patterns of Christmas dinnerware, 2 different patterns for everyday use and the 2 separate dinnerware sets my daughters already put claims on being stored in the attic for when they move into their apartment. Do you detect a pattern here?? haha. I love china and dishware. There are so many different patterns and styles. Thank goodness I have the room to store it all. Some people love shoes, some love art work. I love china and crystal. Whatever floats your boat!

[Libbylady]

When I turned 16, my mother took me shopping for china & silver for my hope chest.  She also took me antiquing for silver serving pieces that she then had re-silvered.

I began getting a plate or fork for every birthday and Christmas.  I packed them away in the chest wrapped in hand-embroidered pillow cases and linen napkins.  Remember those?? They were totally useless!

My mom should have been a Southern maven, she was very into the proper customs! 

When we built our home we put built-in cabinets on a whole wall to hold the collection of (now) 6 sets of dishes!  I have mine, my mom's 2 sets, my MIL's, DH's aunt's, and a large collection of Bardallo that I have collected.

After 49 years of marriage, I still enjoy setting a table that has a theme and these choices make it a "Martha Moment".  I doubt my family of boys cares, but it makes me happy.

DH & I use Corelle daily since it is lightweight and easy to load in the dishwasher.  If we downsize I will have to sell most of the dish collections, but only one of my DIL's would be interested.  If my house burned down I wouldn't replace any of it except the Corelle. 

[Mominohio]

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@missy1 wrote:

My generation don't use China.

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The following statement isn't directed at you in any negative way @missy1, as I hear this a lot.

And I will admit, that we get less formal in just about everything with each passing generation.

But....there will always be those who appreciate and use some of the 'finer' things of homemaking, and love the history tied to old things, especially old family things.

I think it just gets harder and harder to find them!

I always suggest that when people are deciding to give up family heirlooms, and it seems no one wants them, to consider going outside the close family members to niece and nephews, to cousins and their offspring. Sometimes there are people out there more distantly related to you that would love to have great aunt Lucy's silver tea set, or great grandma's china service for 12. 

I know that in my family, things were disposed of that I would have loved to had, just because of the connection to our family history. The "kids' cleaning out after the passing of the 80 or 90 something parents knew they didn't want 'that old stuff' and just assumed no one else did either. If only they had asked.

And if things to end up going to consignment or thrift stores, new people will make them a part of their future heritage and treasure having them, or repurpose them in such creative ways. Even if no one in the family has appreciation, someone will be thrilled to have the treasures.

All things old are new again, eventually. I think someday there will be a resurgence in fine old china, crystal and sliver. We see it today with the 'mid century modern' craze, and the huge prices people are paying for things from the 1950's to the 1970's in kitchen things, furniture, clothing, etc. Pyrex and Corningware from back in the day are selling at 10 plus times what they originally cost, and we know so many people couldn't wait to get those things out of their homes. Just look at all the blogs and FB pages touting the collecting and using of these things again (and usually by women under 35!) So if held on to long enough, maybe the finer dining treasures will have a resurgence as well!

[joannecha]

I purchased my own china when I was single. Still have it (though I'm on husband #2), but it only comes out when we have a formal holiday dinner, which isn't very often. Most of our entertaining is done outside or on a less formal table. It will probably get passed on to the nieces & nephews.