We've got four forks...eight spoons...and four of every type of plate we own. All is good and dandy until we have three people over instead of two. There is always the one mismatched plate on the table...someone always gets the small fork or spoon. I hate to say it, but I've even eaten off my Hello Kitty lunch fork while everyone else at the table had a normal adult fork.
So, top priorities for us was ample dishes for every day use as well as an ample number of flatware sets.
Next we decided to focus on China. No, we don't need China...but we have it. See, I was passed down an absolutely amazing complete set of my grandmothers China:
What I need is the formal flatware to go with it. OK, that may be a debatable topic, but I feel I need it. I say I because even the dude would rather use everyday flatware with China. I do not come from that camp...I come from the camp that when the fancy plates come out...so does the fancy flatware. End of story. Most people say 'You'll never use it though!'. I disagree. Even as a kid growing up I remember every single time my mom took out her China and fancy flatware. I remember thinking "UGH! I'm going to have to hand wash all of that!". I also remember that every time that stuff came out, family memories were made because the occasion was grand. So, I say I need it because it's what I know and want to continue to know.
The dude and I invested in some nice copper-bottom pots and pans about three years into our relationship, so we're staying away from those sets, but we're looking to add key pieces that we're missing that will make our kitchen complete.
We need good knives. I purchased a set of Henckels while working at Target. Wow, what nice knives! Stupid college student Amelia put them in the dishwasher. Knives don't stand up well after YEARS of being thrown in the dishwasher. Needless to say, this is an absolutely need for us.
Finally, to round out the needs...GLASSES...drinkware. The dude and I do not drink alcohol, but we love to watch others do it. However, we thought it would be pointless to register for wine glasses and all those other cool things just for those occasions. Besides, along with my grandmothers China, I also received her Crystal (you can see bits of it in the photos above). What we needed were solid glasses that felt heavy (we wanted heavy so we wouldn't constantly feel like we were going to break them). Currently our collection consists of approximately eight different mugs from assorted places and people. We also have four San Jose Sharks cups:
We focused on items that would (hopefully) stand the test of time. There is a lot of pewter, cast iron, and great knives.
I guess my point is, I looked at our registry as a way to get the key pieces that you need for a great, functional kitchen. All the extra stuff I can add as the years go on...but we wanted our wedding gifts to stay with us as long as possible by trying to focus on the staples...quality staples.
We also tossed in some bedding and towels because, well...college towels and bedding...what can I say?
How did you decide what you were going to register for? Did you just go gun crazy and then narrow it down at home? If you're married, do you still have, love, and use what you registered for? Any advice or warnings?
Next we decided to focus on China. No, we don't need China...but we have it. See, I was passed down an absolutely amazing complete set of my grandmothers China:
Is that not perfection? Gray roses on a white plate? Hello perfect!
What I need is the formal flatware to go with it. OK, that may be a debatable topic, but I feel I need it. I say I because even the dude would rather use everyday flatware with China. I do not come from that camp...I come from the camp that when the fancy plates come out...so does the fancy flatware. End of story. Most people say 'You'll never use it though!'. I disagree. Even as a kid growing up I remember every single time my mom took out her China and fancy flatware. I remember thinking "UGH! I'm going to have to hand wash all of that!". I also remember that every time that stuff came out, family memories were made because the occasion was grand. So, I say I need it because it's what I know and want to continue to know.
The dude and I invested in some nice copper-bottom pots and pans about three years into our relationship, so we're staying away from those sets, but we're looking to add key pieces that we're missing that will make our kitchen complete.
We need good knives. I purchased a set of Henckels while working at Target. Wow, what nice knives! Stupid college student Amelia put them in the dishwasher. Knives don't stand up well after YEARS of being thrown in the dishwasher. Needless to say, this is an absolutely need for us.
Finally, to round out the needs...GLASSES...drinkware. The dude and I do not drink alcohol, but we love to watch others do it. However, we thought it would be pointless to register for wine glasses and all those other cool things just for those occasions. Besides, along with my grandmothers China, I also received her Crystal (you can see bits of it in the photos above). What we needed were solid glasses that felt heavy (we wanted heavy so we wouldn't constantly feel like we were going to break them). Currently our collection consists of approximately eight different mugs from assorted places and people. We also have four San Jose Sharks cups:
For the record, you get these for free at a game when you buy a $1 million dollar soda...thank you very much. Free cups! ;) Now, while I love these and don't plan on ridding my cup collection of these beauties...it might be nice to step into wedded life with cups that aren't 32oz and made of plastic. Just a thought.
We focused on items that would (hopefully) stand the test of time. There is a lot of pewter, cast iron, and great knives.
I guess my point is, I looked at our registry as a way to get the key pieces that you need for a great, functional kitchen. All the extra stuff I can add as the years go on...but we wanted our wedding gifts to stay with us as long as possible by trying to focus on the staples...quality staples.
We also tossed in some bedding and towels because, well...college towels and bedding...what can I say?
How did you decide what you were going to register for? Did you just go gun crazy and then narrow it down at home? If you're married, do you still have, love, and use what you registered for? Any advice or warnings?
When you can, get a china cabinet/hutch and put the china in that, on display. I grew up looking at my grandmother's china in a cabinet like that, and I knew it was a special occasion when it came out of the hutch and onto the table! She also had the good flatware, but I think her's was silver (EXPENSIVE! and you gotta polish it..ick). We opted for Pfaltzgraff glazed stoneware. We didn't feel we were going to use china enough to ask for something to pricy. We aren't fancy people, and we don't throw dinner parties. We wanted 8 place settings, and we got that, plus all the serving pieces. We are set :) We have everyday dishes, so the Pfaltzgraff is our "good stuff". Our pattern has long been discontinued, but I still love it. We only got everyday flatware, but it was exactly what I wanted because it looks just like what my grandmother's everyday flatware was.
ReplyDeleteSteph, I found this amazing site for china, crystal,silver replacements. It actually had Amelia's china and crystal and even my old china and crystal on it I was so surprised to see Amelia's china on it as I had never seen that brand or that style before. It is called Replacements,ltd. at web site www.replacements.com. Just in case you ever needed anything replaced.
ReplyDeleteAmelia I saw two toasting flutes in your crystal from Grammy the Waterford Lismore pattern at William Sonoma they never carried anything like that before!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know! One of these days I am sure I will end up with my grandmother's china one of these days (my mom has it now). With two little boys, you just never know if everything will stay intact :)
ReplyDelete