Our mom passed away a few months ago (dad passed several years back) and my siblings and I are cleaning out the house. I’m wondering what other people have done with inherited china?
None of us really want the set. It was special to our mom but we don’t have much attachment to it, nor does it seem to fit in with the way we entertain these days. I suppose putting it in a box in the attic doesn’t take all that much room, but in a way it seems like a waste and just kicks the problem down the road until whoever ends up with it downsizes or it becomes their kids turn to empty the house.
I suppose a takeaway here is to use treasured things like china more regularly rather than only on “special” occasions once or twice a year. Mom could have got more enjoyment out of it even if there was a risk of breakage.
I just cleaned out my parents condo this Fall. Their wedding china was well used with tons of chips and cracks. My dad got rid of it when they downsized a few years ago. We were shocked to find 4 more complete sets of china! My aunt took one set, my brother took another for his daughter and we donated the rest. I already have my own set that is collecting dust.
I volunteer at a charity thrift shop. We get donations of sets of China all the time. Right now, we have at least 5 sets in the shop…none priced over $150 for the full set…some service for 12. We just had a half price sale and none sold for half that amount.
This year it’s particularly hard to sell these sets because no one is entertaining groups for holidays or other events.
People who have china don’t want more. Young people either have a set from their own family or don’t want it at all.
I would say…donate it to a place that sells things to benefit a charity and hope they can sell it. Packing up dishes to sell on eBay is nothing short of a PITA.
Adding…lots of people box these things up. When they come wrapped in newspaper, I always check the date on the papers…some have been in the 1990’s.
When my mom died, she had 12 sets of dishes. We gave them away to anyone who would take them…so try freecycle too.
Yes, the younger generation just doesn’t want a lot of stuff. Even pianos are hard to get rid of. I’m not sure what my folks will do with the Baldwin grand they bought used when I was in 8th grade. My sister doesn’t have room for it.
@badgolfer I think you answered your own question. You don’t entertain that way anymore and neither does anyone else.
My mil decided to use her good china for everyday. Last year I decided to do the same thing, mine isn’t as fancy as hers. Once it gets too chipped to use, I’ll get another set. No waiting for a special occasion.
I’m very sorry for your loss. We lost my mom in Nov '19, and she had 2 large sets of china. We thought about selling them to Replacements.com, but we’d have to pay to ship to NC, and it didn’t seem worth it. If you are in neighboring state, and they are offering a decent price, then might be worth it. You find the pattern on their site and request an offer estimate by piece, so if you don’t have a full set of unchipped pieces, no big deal.
We ended up having my newly married niece pick one set, and the other I am storing for my daughter. I like her set, and would use it if I didn’t already love my wedding china (that gets used maybe 4 times a year).
I’m using my parent’s china as my everyday. Some of it was chipped when I got it because they had been using it as everyday, too. I do think of them when I put out the plates, so that’s nice.
I recently read somewhere a suggestion that if no one wants the whole set, offer people a teacup and saucer of the china as a way to remember the original owner.
I have my grandmother’s good china. Most pieces have small chips/dings, but it’s still beautiful. I typically use it for special dinners since it has to be washed by hand. But sometimes I’ll use a piece because it has plate sizes my china does not.
I doubt anyone else will want the china after me, though!
I was going to say something similar ^^^^ Offer up a piece as memory mementos and see if anyone wants one plate (for serving cookies or something). Or plant a succulent in a teacup/saucer and give them to nearby family or friends as a token of her memory.
Otherwise, go the donate/FB Marketplace route and see what happens.
I agree with this. There are now lots of Buy Nothing local pages on social media. I bet if you list it, it will be snapped up by someone who might love to use it.
You and your sibs could also create a neat little art project, maybe from a couple of elect pieces. Google what to do with old China and there’s a page on pInterest with fun ideas.
I had my grandmother’s china to get rid of. Nobody wanted it (not even consignment and thrift stores). I ended up selling some of the plates to a girl in town who was using them for her barn chic wedding. I kept one serving piece and donated the rest to a very large rummage sale. I assume they sold them to somebody.
I know someone who makes amazing glass collages out of broken china and other glasses. She is always stalking places like freecycle and goodwill for really cheap stuff.
I know you would prefer someone use the china for dining…but if someone can be creative with it, maybe that would work.
Do you have a neighborhood Facebook page or NextDoor! Try there.
We managed to amass a huge amount of China sets from various grandparents/elderly relations. I convinced DH to get rid of it all and replace everything with one set of simple dinnerware for everyday and holidays. We have 2 great organizations locally: one helps people displaced by fires and the other helps women with children who need to leave abusive situations. We divided things up between the two, both were extremely grateful, and we know the recipients would be happy to have items to start over. I’m sure if you look in your area, you can find similar types of organizations helping those in your community.
Perhaps a cup and saucer as mentioned above as a memento.
My parents, grandparents, and the living set of great-grandparents all have very nice china and crystal. I imagine that my deceased great-grandparents’ is gathering dust somewhere. So that’s at least 7 sets of dinnerware that will eventually make its way to my generation. I already have my own dishes and would much prefer another type of keepsakes. But that’s just me.
I suppose they OP can ask her kids if anyone wants anything.
My kids feel the same way. Neither wanted any of grandmas 12 sets of dishes. But we do have a box for each of mementos of hers that they can toss when we die.
Luckily, my DD wants my china but I really just have plain Lenox plates and then their Holiday dessert plates and serving pieces.
Adding to the discussion…my kids don’t even want a dining room. They want more the great room look which lends itself to less fancy dishes.
My sister doesn’t have room for it.