We've been using our Pottery barn great white porcelain set since we've been married 8 years ago. We've only broken 3 or 4 pieces. but the plates were too big (13") and I ended up storing them (and later donating them) because they didn't fit in a standard 12" deep cupboard. We use the salad plates for dinner plates (because they are so big). But when it comes to salads, I have use my saucers or mismatched various sundry salad plates. So Costco was selling a white set that is a little less bulky than my Great White every day dishes. The price was okay ($160 for 12 5 piece settings) and it was bone china. I figure why not? Its supper simple and smaller scale. I'm tired of my bulky porcelain. But I feel guilty getting rid of it. Really guilty. It was our wedding set and its still got a lot of pieces. Am I being overly sentimental? How long did you all hang onto your everyday wedding gift dishes? I know that I can be overly sentimental ( I cried when I got rid of my bare bones 200,000 mile Toyota for a fully loaded brand new car. To the point that I almost could not enjoy that my husband wanted to buy me a new, safer car). So I'm just gauging myself here with some feedback.
To clarify its not my fancy bone china i'm thinking of replacing. Its my porcelain every day dishes i"m thinking of replacing with simple, to be used every day bone china.
Thanks Bridget B. I needed to hear that. I'm usually able to part with things and love to declutter, but there is a disconnect with items that are full of memories. But I miss real salad plates and as my family grows, those heavy, oversized, porcelain dishes just irritate me. Guess I know what i"m getting for Christmas.
..and I just went to count the pieces and I AM missing a lot. I'm so over it!
I think we might be polar opposites in terms of sentimentality. If something isn't working for me, I am happy to be rid of it.
I would donate the plates and get what you want. Life is too short to feel guilty about place settings. Someone will be thrilled to get the plates you don't want anymore, and you will have a set you can actually use. Everybody wins.
Are there pieces that would work by themselves, without the rest of the set? Perhaps a creamer and sugar bowl, or a serving dish, or a pitcher? Perhaps you could keep those (and pass them on to your children when they're grown), and then give the rest to a consignment shop or a thrift store. (If you give them to a consignment store, you're not going to get much money out of it; it's just an option.) It could be that someone else is looking for pieces to that set.
I'm sentimental about things, too. However, no matter what my emotions are, there is only so much storage room in the house!. So eventually one realizes the need to pass things on, hoping that other people will be delighted to have them.
By the way, if you can find repeats of the old Cosby Show on your television some time, you'll come across the episode in which Dr. Huxtable is sentimental about parting with his old water heater! There's another episode about a sofa. :^)
Get something colorful and everyday useful and get rid of the other. Give it to someone or save it for someone who might need dishes down the road. I gave mine to grown daughters and they appreciated it and have more to give soon. I realized finally that like you, I can't keep saving things I don't need or even really like using. It's hard but you can do it. :-)
I am not a pack rat by nature, but my most prized posession is my mother's china. I was deeply honored when she gave it to me and not one of my older siblings. It means even more to me now that she has passed. One of your children may feel the same way since it is your wedding china IMHO.
If it is not working then change them. Put them in a garage sale or consignment shop. There is no one holding a gun to your head saying you have to keep them.
I have some pieces of china I bought (through a savings account) that are still in the cupboard after 40 years. The rest of the set has gone but the size of the dishes are nice for meals. The fine bone china is also alive and well in the china cabinet and gets used once every three or four years. Soon I will be giving each child a set (one 8 and the other 12).
Enjoy the memories and move on. Declutter your home.
The other S.
When we got married we didn't register for china OR everyday dishes. In fact we didn't register at all.
But I'm in the market for new everyday dishes because I got rid of my Pfaltzfraf and now need a change from the replacements. I've been married 15 years.
If you're ready for a change, donate them or give them away! Bless someone else.
I didn't get everyday wedding dishes and I can tell you that given the everyday use, you are eventually going to need to update. I have a set of Pfaltzgraff that I have had for like 15 years but I've had to keep adding to it where pieces broke and it is pretty scratched up. Who has the time to sit and clean them with the special polish?! Thinking about a set of Corelle plates...unbreakable and super durable and thin. Just a thought! They have some really nice patterns and have updated quite a bit! I did get fine china for my wedding but have barely used it...maybe once teh kids grow up and I can sit and have an adult dinner :)
Life is too short. I sold our good china six months after we married when my husband became disabled. He could no longer hold a plate and he would not feel ok using them. They no longer worked for us so I sold them on Ebay.
I bought Corelle which he has broken some, but who cares. They are cheap. I wish we had a costco. I would totally go look. That is a deal!
