Use Gramma's China?

[Duchess of Stratosphear]

I inherited Gramma's set of china dishes. I guess nobody else wanted them because I didn't even have to fight for them. It's quite a pretty set of dishes, but they are just sitting partly in the back of a closet and partly in a cabinet. I've only used them once. I've been doing some decluttering and evaluating the role of "stuff and things" in my life, and I got the crazy idea of using my Gramma's china everyday and maybe getting rid of my old crappy mismatched dishwear. I will probably break some of it, but I have nobody to leave it to when I go, and I think selling it to make a few bucks wouldn't really be a good way of remembering my grandmother (who I loved very much but didn't get to see a lot because she lived 2000 miles away). Using the china, thinking of her when I use it, and even breaking a few pieces (which will make me think of her for sure), on the other hand, does seem like a good way to remember and honor her.

Why do we save things like this instead of using them? Has anybody else used family heirlooms even though it might mean the end of them? I also have a quilt or two from my great grandmother that I am using a little bit. I like to think the ladies who made or owned these things would want us to use and enjoy them, right?

Makes me think of the short story "Everyday Use" by Alice Walker. A good short read if you get the chance.

[RunHappy]

I don't have an inherited set of good china but I did pick up a good set at an estate sale at a good price years ago.

I say if you have them then use them.  One note of caution is they should be hand washed.  This will make them last longer.  I don't use mine everyday but I also don't save them for special dinners.  I use them when I feel like it.

I haven't read Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" but now I plan to.

[lizzzi]

I'm like you, OP--I have some pressed glass relish dishes that have been passed down oldest daughter to oldest daughter since around 1880. They are in my china cabinet where I can see them every day, but I also do put them on the table and use them…not every day, but they do get used. Also, my grandmother made four quilts specifically for me…two were used on my bed when I was a child, one was a "just because" gift, and one was a wedding present. I do use them, even though I know they will not last forever. My grandmother and I were very close, and while I treat my quilts with respect, I feel no need to preserve them for posterity. She made them for me with love, and I use them with love.

[margarita]

Just typed a long post and lost it arrrrghh.

Yes, unless they are from the Ming Dynasty or the White House, use therm, enjoy them and think of Gramma.

The resale market on the dishes has tanked since the 1980s, no point in trying to sell them.  The up side is if you break a few you can replace them probably fairly inexpensively.  Or choose not to replace, depending on how many you need for your day to day life.

We save too many things for good and "good" never comes (or not often enough).
 
Note:  If they have metal trim (i.e. gold) don't use in microwave or put in dishwasher.

Enjoy them and think of Gramma!

[Noodle]

I have my grandma's china and glass. I decided a few years back to start using it (and putting it through the dishwasher, because i hate handwashing china and won't use it if I have to handwash.) It's not valuable enough to sell, and it does no one any good in a cupboard. When it's gone, it's gone but I will have enjoyed it in the meantime. Same with the cut glass. If I get down to one piece of each, I may put them aside as mementos.

[Arktinkerer]

Family rule on dishes was to use them until you had only one left.  Then hang that one on the wall as a keepsake.  Still not down to one dish though...

[RetiredAt63]

Use them.  For all the reasons given above.

Plus one - I bought some "good" china (Noritake) at auction - when my DD visited she didn't want to use it, it was "too good".  She grew up with ironstone (nice, but not china) as everyday dishes.  Your children (if you have them and they are not super young) deserve to grow up using nice things as well, or the "too good to use" syndrome will go another generation.  Oh, and even though it has a silver border, I wash it in the dishwasher - I do it on gentle cycle and make sure I don't put in too much soap.  Dishwasher soap is abrasive compared to dish soap.

Now I have to talk myself into using the "really good" china (Royal Crown Derby Blue Willow) from my grandmother more often!

[Nickyd£g]

I inherited a very pretty Royal Doulton china tea set  from my grandmother and pretty Dutch bowl my grandfather brought back from WW2. The tea set I use occasionally, when I have friends round for tea and scones (how very British!) but as I live alone I prefer to use my mug daily - with the teabag in the cup, not the pot - my gran would be horrified!  I use the bowl as my fruit bowl and it is a centre peice on a striking chest of drawers in my hall so I see it every day.  I also inherited a Lloyd Loom chair from her, which is in my bedroom.  I was kind of close to my gran [there were lots of grandkids, being from good Irish stock!] but these peices make me smile, and I'm very grateful to have them.

[I'm a red panda]

I would use them.

What is the point of having them if you don't?


I'm finding that more and more people are having trouble figuring out who to pass china down to...  there are TONS of sets in my family, and not many people want them.  (I want one set. I don't want 7...)

[pachnik]

+++1
Use the good china.

I don't have a set of china from either of my grandmothers.  I have some very dainty pink and gold teacups which I don't use from one grandma and that's about it. 

Once at a flea market I did buy a partial set of china from the 1930's which I love.  It has a vivid pattern of orange and dark blue.  I use it all the time and just handwash it.  I know previous posters put their china into the dishwasher but I won't.  Just don't want to take a chance on the gold trim coming off. 

[Duchess of Stratosphear]

I'm so excited to start using this china now! The tea/coffee cups are sort of ridiculous, so I may have to stick with my big ass mug for that, but the plates especially I can use. And the idea of saving the last few pieces as a keepsake is a good one. Otherwise, I think I'll use it til it's gone.

As for the spelling of "Gramma," I'm not sure where that comes from. I was born and raised in NC, but my mom is from Montana, and that's where the grandparents lived (they moved there from Indiana/Tennessee). I think "gramma" may be more a Montana thing? I think I may have picked it up from a MT cousin. Interesting question. My southern grandparents were "Mawmaw and Pawpaw."

[lpep]

That Alice Walker story completely breaks my heart. She's such a great writer. Try "Horse Tea" if you want an even more emotional story.

And agree with everyone. Nothing to add but some love for Alice Walker :)

[sunday]

Use them :) I bet it would have made your gramma very happy to know you were enjoying them every day.

[Catbert]

The other advantage to using the china is that the pieces are smaller than today's.  Smaller plates = less food. 

[lizzzi]

Retired at 63: I agree with you that kids should have at least some experience of using the "good stuff" at home sometimes, including cloth napkins. We aren't the least bit "ritzy", but there are occasions when the "good stuff" gets used. One reason is that it mixes and matches pretty well with the everyday stuff, so it does get hauled out for larger groups when I need more place settings. One of the most pathetic things I've seen over the years is friends who get up and get themselves a paper towel to use instead of the cloth napkins at the place settings. They'll say something like…oh, I'm not fancy enough for cloth napkins. That's just sad.

[iris lily]

+++1
Use the good china.

I don't have a set of china from either of my grandmothers.  I have some very dainty pink and gold teacups which I don't use from one grandma and that's about it. 

Once at a flea market I did buy a partial set of china from the 1930's which I love.  It has a vivid pattern of orange and dark blue.  I use it all the time and just handwash it.  I know previous posters put their china into the dishwasher but I won't.  Just don't want to take a chance on the gold trim coming off.

OMG to your orange and blue dinner ware. Sounds very deco, Clarice Cliff-y. Yum.

I say like everyone else--use it. I am a dinnerware addict and had to get rid of several sets some years ago. I have an "good set" that I don't use often, and th'at fine. They have gold edges that would not hold up to regular dishwasher use.

[KrZ]

Just be aware that some old chinaware contains lead. Maybe you should test it before using it every single day.

[Sibley]

After spending the weekend going through my parent's attic... my mom has 3 sets of good dishes, 2 sets of crystal glassware, and miscellaneous other dishes (not full sets). A lot of this is good quality. None of it is used.

I have a perfectly nice, full set of corelle dishes that I really like. They were my grandma's everyday dishes and my mom saved them. So I got them when I moved out.

One set will be going to other family eventually b/c my sister and I don't like it. No idea what's going to happen to the rest of it.

[Embok]

Another vote for using it.  My folks pulled out the good china and crystal once a week, for family Sunday dinner, so that we children would grow up reasonably comfortable with more formal events.  It worked.  Also, it encourages slowly savoring the food, company and ambience.  Definitely hand wash - but that can be done the next day - just don't soak your silverware overnight as if there's any stainless in the water (such as the knife blades) it will turn black.

[Arktinkerer]

Retired at 63: I agree with you that kids should have at least some experience of using the "good stuff" at home sometimes, including cloth napkins. We aren't the least bit "ritzy", but there are occasions when the "good stuff" gets used. One reason is that it mixes and matches pretty well with the everyday stuff, so it does get hauled out for larger groups when I need more place settings. One of the most pathetic things I've seen over the years is friends who get up and get themselves a paper towel to use instead of the cloth napkins at the place settings. They'll say something like…oh, I'm not fancy enough for cloth napkins. That's just sad.

This is a good idea if you have a family.  Family dinners with good china, cloth napkins, good manners, good conversation help build strong families and good kids!  We have drifted away from that now that one child is out of the house and the other is often at some activity.  I miss it but think it really helped set our boys up for success.

Nice dinners for two with shared cleanup in the kitchen isn't bad for a marriage either!