We got a set of Spode Xmas dishes for 8 for our wedding, multiple sizes of plates, bowls, cups, and assorted serving pieces. We dug it out a few times, but really it’s not our thing. An acquaintance was thrilled to buy it all from me for $150.
My mother has a few sets of depression glass in her basement. She just couldn’t pass them up at very low yard sale prices.
I just had a thought to share - I was looking at my Instagram feed and I follow a couple of local pie shops. One showed today’s pie on a pretty piece of china. You could reach out to a local pie place or tea shop and see if they want any pieces. They might want dishwasher safe stuff but just an idea.
I think I’m one of the only people who loves my Orrefors. Prelude, from 1987. I have the water goblets, wine glasses and champagne flutes (they are a waste). I have 12 of each. I still have my china too (Wedgwood, but I can’t think of the name of it - it’s white with gray and blue, and a silver rim). But I have refused to take other people’s.
I just read this after posting a reply to Thumper. Glad someone else likes It.
I have had my mother’s china (and crystal) for a few decades since I had space and hosted the holiday dinners. They are on top shelves in my kitchen cabinets.
About 20 years ago when hubby and I did Sat night dinners the two of us in dining room (kids in bed or watching video) we considered picking out some Lenox, 2 dinner plates. It turned out to be much cheaper to buy a full service for 4 of different brand, design we both adored. I store it in one end of the antique server furniture (from grandparents) in dining room. Mostly we use the large dinner plates for nice / non-hoilday meals.
I put both sets of good dishes in the dishwasher. We don’t use them much, so I am not all that worried about fading. I once read dishes/glasses are less vulnerable to breakage in dishwasher vs hand washing, but mostly I do it this way because lazy.
@Hoggirl , mine is a 10 place setting with all those cups and saucers! I’d like to get rid of those. Mom never even used them! I just feel at some point if I sell, it would be nice to have the set. There is room, but they are such a hassle!
I inherited my grandmother’s mid 1900’s Castleton china in an all over floral print. She lived in New Castle ,PA where it was made. It is Service for 12 with everything from soup bowls and cereal bowls to desert plates and every serving piece of various sizes. I have my own silver for 12 and Waterford crystal. We use it about 3 times a year since it is wash by hand. Don’t know that anyone will want it.
That’s exactly what we did with my grandmother’s china. I wasn’t even married yet when she passed, but I selected a teacup from her set that I keep on display in my China cabinet. I don’t recall what happened with my other grandmother’s china, but I ended up taking her silver salt and pepper shaker set.
Reading this thread I feel like an outlier. I have two sets of fine china. One is a Haviland pattern called Princess Eugenie, and one is a Spode pattern called Christmas Rose, which is finer china than Christmas Tree. My two adult children will periodically mention their interest in them when us parents die (or are ready to give them up), and talk about who gets which. I agree that there is no shortage of used china sets out there, and that storage can become a problem. But on the other hand, I also remind everyone that people’s tastes change. How many times have you thought: wow, everything old is new again. One of my kids has become skilled at sewing her own clothes, and has even made her own bras. Plus of course knitting, embroidery, cross-stich etc are very big. So who knows, a resurgence of interest in fine china may make a comeback too. I agree that this does not solve the problem each individual faces in the present of what to do with inherited china.
When I went to the consignment/antique stores with my grandmother’s china they said “It has flowers on it, forget it” So right now flowers on china is out, but I agree it could become in again at some point.
My issue with the inherited china…my mother refused to give me any of her 12 sets while she was alive. Which was fine. I had my own sets of dishes by the time she died. I didn’t need 12 more sets. My kids liked what I had, and didn’t want any of grandmas.
And I wasn’t going to store things hoping they came into style many years later.
I think this not wanting to store things issue is why these china sets get donated.
Re: the dishwasher. If these are free dishes, put them in the dishwasher. Use the gentle cycle or whatever is equivalent in you dishwasher. If there is gold or platinum trim, it will take a LOT of dishwasher washes to wear it away.
I’m the real outlier here. I came from a low SES family so neither my parents or grandparents ever had any china. It never occurred to me to get our own when we got married because having china was so culturally removed from anything I was familiar with. That said, we did inherit a partial set from my husband’s parents. It’s sitting in a cabinet and we’ve never used it. It’s very pink and very flowery and I really don’t care for it. Im not sure why we still have it except that it is easier to let it sit than to put in the effort to get rid of it. I think we will just donate it when we do get around to it.
I know I have my china somewhere, packed in my basement, I never liked it 
I like and use my Spode china at Christmas. It makes me happy. I just don’t think my kids will want it.
I should start using the Waterford crystal. Just don’t think of it. My dining room has two built-in corner glass front cabinets that keeps the Lenox and the crystal on display. On the years we host Christmas (every other) I switch out the lenox with the Spode Christmas for the season.
It is interesting that few brides pick china these days. A couple of my nieces did and some others selected barware or more everyday dishes. I thought it was fun going to pick it out.
It seems odd to me that any of the ecologically conscious younger generation would want new china when there is such a glut of used. A few times years ago we bought china settings listed in wedding registers, and it seemed wastefully pricey (plus a shipping charge!) for young couples.
I think it’s more likely that younger people may “rediscover” china and compete to bargain hunt the outlets to purchase used china.
I have quite a few of these from occupied Japan. Not sure what to do with them, as I don’t display fragile things (thanks, cats). For now, they’re in a box in the garage.
@thumper1 when you say 12 “Sets” do you mean service for 12, or 12 different patterns (or 12 x 12 pieces??) I cannot imagine storing 12 sets!!
When we were married 30 years ago we only registered for China and crystal and not everyday dishes. H and I had already bought our home and were living together so we had everyday dishes.
My mother had twelve SETS of dishes…each had 8 or 12 place settings, and some had serving pieces too. I’m not making this up. We gave away dishes to every college grad we knew who was setting up an apartment. I’m not kidding. We also had multiple sets of silverware…those went too…and pots and pans.
I kept a set of plain white royal Doulton that we use for our everyday dishes, and I really like them. I have to say, I don’t ever remember my mom using these dishes…ever.
I think I put a service for 6 of clear plain glass dishes in my daughters box of stuff. I really need to check…because I doubt she wants them!
I should add, I like dishes too. I have a four sets of dishes here. One set (Franciscan Apple) is in my china cabinet. One set is Old Britain Castles Johns Bros. It’s not being used right now. My own Lenox, and the RD set. Also, the RD set being all white, I also have some dinner plates with a blue two inch trim that I swap out sometimes…for variety.
So clearly…I didn’t need 12 more sets!
Oh…and she also had a couple of punch bowls…