Come this May, I will be married for 19 years. We've had the same casual dinnerware (Corelle ~a pattern that is discontinued) and over the years we've lost a few pieces. I have a serving set for 8 people...well, that's what we started out with. I love Corelle because it has held up nicely all these years but I'm in the mood for change. I want something different but I also want to have more than a serving for 8. If I buy three sets of 4, that will give me WAY too many mugs, but just enough plates and bowls. My dilemma: should I buy one set of 4 and buy individual plates and bowls to make up the difference? I've already sort of priced them out...would really add up cost wise. I don't know of any other brand of dinnerware other than Corelle that holds up nicely.
Also, when we got married, we were both quite young and naive and we reluctantly registered for China ware. I am so sorry I did this because prior to having children, while I was working full time, I began adding pieces to the set in hopes of completing it one day. We are far from completing the set and it's a beautiful set, was very expensive...but alas, it sits in the original boxes on the top shelf in my closet. We have strived to use it for "special occasions" but honestly, it hasn't seen daylight in years. I suggested to my husband that we sell it. We could, after all, use the money since baby #4 is expected to arrive in about 7 weeks. Hubby doesn't want to sell it because "it's so pretty" and he thinks we'll use it...someday but so far we only have enough pieces for 8 people. We don't have the money to spend to complete it or to even buy enough pieces for 12 people. So many women I've talked to do not have China ware. Those who do have it are much older than me and have suggested we keep it. I'm torn....keeping it because it's pretty isn't enough reason to keep it. Am I right???
Wow, I'm so surprised all the votes to keep the China ware. Here's the thing: I have three children (11, 8 and 4) and pregnant with our 4th. The kiddos have plastic plates/bowls/cups but it is THEM who have broken so many of our Corelle pieces. My 4 year old broke a bowl last week and my 11 year old kicked a plate out of my 8 year old's hands just today. Soon we will be a family of 6 and we are down to 4 (out of 8 we started with) bowls and now we have 7 plates, instead of 8. Makes it hard for when we have company too, which is why I think having a serving set for 12 would be ideal. As for those of you who suggested displaying the China ware, I do not have such a place. The China ware I have is Noritake Rothschild. It's beautiful, I have to admit but I cannot bring myself to have my children use them and risk breaking them and take them out just for me and the hubby? Way too much trouble...they are packed in boxes on the top shelf in our closet. I'd have to climb on a ladder to reach them.
Thank you all for your friendly suggestions. I don't have an IKEA near me...I wish I did.
I love Corelle and they have so many different styles now, but I also agree with Page. Something is only "expensive" if it doesn't get used.
I have my husband's grandmother's china. We NEVER use it.
Personally, I'd rather have some nicer stoneware for everyday.
If I were you I'd sell the china in a New York Minute.
You won't live forever -- take out the beautiful china and use it everyday. There's no rule that says you can't. Unless you have 9 people in your family, eight pieces is enough.
Treat yourself. It's only "stuff."
Hi TB-
I like corelle too! It is virtually unbreakable. I would get the 4 sets of four...extra mugs have always come in handy around here. I've been known to use them as part of an 'emergency' gift basket when someone is sick with tea and soup tossed in!
As far as the 'good' china...I would keep it...and try to use it more! I break mine out for holidays, birthdays etc. It is a reminder to kids of 'special' occasions.
Best Luck!
Michele/cat
Keep it. Your husband likes it. What a nice thing to have a hubby who even has a thought about china.
Why not use it for everyday? What do we save it for? I mean we all do this- isn't everyday w/ our family a special occasion?
Just a thought- best, k
I would say to sell the china. If it's not adding anything to your life and just cluttering your closet, then what good is it? Think about it this way, if (God forbid) you lost it somehow in a disaster, would you spend your insurance money to replace it?
Yes, you are right - just because its pretty doesn't mean you should keep it. I am also surprised at the number of answers you received here telling you to keep the china - why have something that you don't use and can't display?? If it's in the closet in a box that is where it will live forever, most likely, so it makes no sense to keep it. Having china nowadays is more of a luxury if you can afford it. I never registered for it - I have everyday dishes that are solid color (cream-ish) with kind of a wavy edge which makes them slightly nicer and they are from Crate and Barrel - quality pieces but great for every day and entertaining. I would sell the china if I were you but make sure to get a good price for it - hopefully enough to pay for your new set.
You can sell the china on Ebay, especially if in good condition. Price it the same as Replacements does on Ebay. Don't sell to them as they pay a fraction of what they charge after having you pay to ship the china to them.
I sold our fancy set to a New Yorker for the full price+shipping. Turns out in New York, china is more expensive.
Corelle has many pieces you can get online when you buy a new set. I got three serving bowls with lids that I use at potlucks.
I would keep the good china! I have it and my mom always told me there really does not need to be a special occasion to use it. If it makes you happy then use it at least once a month. I bring mine out during the holidays and when I do I enjoy it. My girls are old enough now that they love seeing it too.
As far as everyday, if you have an Ikea near you, check them out. You can buy sets and individual pieces. They have different colors, shapes and patterns. Check them out on line just to get an idea.
Congratulations on 19 years!!!
When we got married, my husband's grandparents gave us money for china. Well, we cheated a little and bought black and beige stoneware. It was pricey, but we use it every day...AND, it's easy to 'dress up' for special occassions because it's neutral.
I think you should keep it and use your fine china....maybe for Sunday dinners or something.
I love Corelle ware. That is what i wanted when we got married for everyday. This really bugged me alot because i just don't understand why a man cares what he eats on as long as he is eating, BUT hubby threw a fit and wanted Pfaltszgraff, I hate it! don't buy it it chips it's heavy, it was expensive for everyday stuff,just a total pain.
I think selling the China ware would make sense but since you both aren't in agreement then it's better not to. Maybe at some point in your future you will use it. Could you find individual pieces of what ever you are looking for on ebay?
I bought my everyday stuff at Ikea. It was very inexpensive and has held up pretty well (and you can buy the pieces separately if you like).
I do have fine China, and I use it once a week or so. Why doesn't a humble Tuesday night dinner deserve celebration - you're with your beautiful family enjoying a meal! Why not use your fine China? It will make you happy to use it. I only have a place setting for 8. My table seats 8, so I see no reason to buy more dishes than that.
Try Costco for some everyday dishes that will be kid friendly on the pocket book if they break them, buy complete sets and things do break! My suggestion with your China is to move it to the kitchen where it is more convenitently located to take down and use. I bought my set for the first Thanksgiving dinner I hosted in my new home 2 years ago, I take it down at Christmas too.
Some bit of advice I can offer, is stay away from Phaltzcraft. I bought my set of everyday wear 18 years ago when I got married. It chipped easily and scratched easily. A friend bought a set a few years ago, it's a beautiful pattern, however the same problem with chipping and cracking. She also found out it's not made in America anymore.
Suggestion... do you have an area where you could display your good china?
I've got my Great Grandmother china in those china bags, in a rubbermaid tub in the closet of the garage. I've never used it and don't know if I ever will but I won't get rid of it! lol As far as what to do with yours....hard to say.
As for as replacing your Corelle dishes, if you have an outlet store near you (or you can order online-if you sign up online you'll get a coupon for 20% off too) they run sales on the individual pieces like buy 3 get one free or buy 2 get one free. I just recently replaced the mixed corelle set of dishes hubby and I had combined when we married and get a great deal at the outlet store. If you bought certain box sets (serves 4) you got 4 of the salad plates free. Plus I bought 4 additional dinner plates buy 3 get one free. I ended up going back to the store for 4 more salad plates because I didn't realize they didn't come with the box set, it was the smaller plates :( But I'm like you, I don't have a need for all those coffee mugs, I have my own cute ones to use! lol
Or you could put your china to good use and change it to your every day dishes!!
Good luck
S.
Keep the China! We got a set of Crystal and China for our wedding and I love it--even if we don't use it often. We finally bought a China cabinet to display it--and get it out of the closet.
