When to Break Out the Good Dinner Ware

Many people have inherited or otherwise received an expensive set of dinner ware at some point. Traditionally, these dishes were used only for formal entertaining, or holidays when all guests arrived dressed in fancy clothing. Otherwise, the china was kept in a cabinet to protect it from dust.

China dishes are especially breakable, and they usually have antique or intricate patterns on them. Their fragile nature makes them an unlikely match for everyday meals. These dishes are rarely put into a dishwasher, and they must be washed by hand. Also, if children are at regular meals, the more the fancy china is used, the more likely it will be vulnerable to getting cracked, chipped or broken.

Using china makes an occasion more special. If china were used every day, it would start to show wear, and also, it would lose its "special occasion" quality. That said, there are folks for whom the occasion never arises that is deemed special enough to use the good china. Their china dishes sit, unused, for years. These sorts of people would do well to relax a bit and see how enjoyable even a quiet meal for two after the kids are in bed can be on the good china. Washing and putting away two or four dishes is not that big of a deal. Using the good china doesn't have to be reserved for entertaining a large crowd.

The opposite extreme is when people use their good china every day. This is being done more and more by folks around eighty years of age, who want to enjoy life as much as possible, and treat every day like a special event. This is fine because they don't usually have young children careening through the house on a daily basis.

The idea is balance. Those who have but never use their good china would do well to find more times to use and enjoy it. Those who use it every day should take care that it does not lose its "special" quality and become commonplace.