Kitchen

[pupwhipped]

I was just curious what dinnerware everyone uses for the Thanksgiving holiday. Maybe you have some special ones, or you use your everyday dishes and add a festive tablecloth, napkins, etc. OR, maybe you have to serve so many people that you mix and match. I'm sure that's common. I've just been looking online a little and see some cute fall dinnerware items. I'm tempted, but know I shouldn't. Care to share what you use to set your Thanksgiving table? Would love to see.

pup

[goodstuff]

I have vintage English china (""Fair Winds"" pattern) that shows a great ship at full sail.......sort of reminiscent of the Mayflower and the ships that brought early settlers to our country. We use and enjoy it every Thanksgiving if we eat at home!

[pupwhipped]

On 11/14/2014 GoodStuff said:

I have vintage English china (""Fair Winds"" pattern) that shows a great ship at full sail.......sort of reminiscent of the Mayflower and the ships that brought early settlers to our country. We use and enjoy it every Thanksgiving if we eat at home!

LOVELY! Thanks for getting the ball rolling here.

[Snowpuppy]

GoodStuff, those really are pretty and unique!

If you don't have holiday china and you don't want to invest $$ can always buy just the salad/dessert/accent plates to contrast with the tableware you already own.

My good china is a Lenox pattern in very bright white and my everyday dinner plates are shiny black Fiestaware. Adding a pop of color with an accent plate on top of the dinner plate or as a dessert plate is an easy update.

Adding some accent pieces to either is affordable without buying an entire set.

[chrystaltree]

When I plan a formal, fancy Thanksgiving Dinner; I use my good china, my wedding china and silver flatware and my chrystal. But I only do that every few years. Most Thanksgivings are more casual, I use nice china but it's not expensive. It's ivory with a gold trim and I have gold plate flatware. And then there are years when I go full put casual for Thanksgiving, like this year. I go with more of a party theme than a fancy dinner theme and I use partyware and set up a buffet. This year, I'm using some really nice heavy plastic pieces that I bought from Amazon a couple of years ago. I got it when we were planning my daughter's wedding shower and some other pre wedding celebrations. We never used the things I bought and I totally forgot I even had it. It's all whites and silvers and the flatware is clear. I do need some color. I'm thinking I'll pickup some orange and yellow tablecloths and napkins.

[goodstuff]

Thanks. I found the first few "Fair Winds" plates in a thrift store, then added bits and pieces as I found them here and there. Finally I lucked up and got a good part of a full set on sale at an antique store that was closing. They're different, and we like them!

Another thing we sometimes do for special meals is use my collection of random fine china plates. (Our daughters call them the "happy plates", and I sometimes let each diner choose one that suits their mood and tastes that day). I love pretty china and have picked up a collection of lovely/interesting plates and glassware at thrift stores. Always on the lookout! I fill out the table settings with clear glass salad/dessert plates, etc. and enjoy a charming eclectic table.

[DiAnne]

I have my Grandmothers set of hand painted dishes from Vernon Kilms in California. The pattern is May Flower. We use them everything Thanksgiving. Christmas and other holidays we use white Wedgewood. I have a set with many extra plates.

[vaberry]

I use my mother's china which is silver wheat. I use it for Thanksgiving and Easter. I have some early American press glass serving pieces my grandparents received as wedding presents in 1918 that I used as well.

[StylishLady]

Usually use a set of Mikasa dinner ware that I bought to match up with some Limoges that I inherited. Typically also use gold chargers as seen here at a Thanksgiving dinner a few years ago.

[MrsRef]

I used to drag out some stoneware that my grandmother bought me but since I have 5 grandchildren under the age of 5, lately I have been using very nice thanksgiving themed paper plates. It is more about being together as a family than fancy dishes. A bonus, I don't have to sit and wash them before and after dinner. More time to spend the with grandbabies.