You know one of my favorite topics is table settings--I love dishes, glassware and flatware. I always have. Ever since I can remember, I've taken note of the silverware, china and stemware used to by members of my family and their friends. I wasn't checking it as a "status" thing--I was taking note for my future table. My mother's "good china" is a beautiful, classic white china with fluted edges and a fine platinum line on the edge. Her flatware is similarly classic. She's very practical--it's easy to coordinate the classics. Her table is always beautiful. As far as I know, my Aunt Billie (Dad's sister) has always used a mix of blue transferware--I think she has a formal setting, but I don't remember it--the mix made it's impression. I have my Grandmother's silverplate tea service (although my mother didn't recognize it on her visit this Summer--a little tarnished, but displayed and loved!). Grandmom was a lot more--ummm, formal (??) than the rest of us. Lots of flowers and lots of gold--that's what I remember about her table setting. I'm sure there have been many other influences on my table settings--books, magazines, etc.
I think a lot of families create their best memories around the table. So, in an effort to help you create your memories and/or memories for your kids I'm offering all of the dishes and glassware available at Hodgepodge at 20% off--now thru Christmas Eve. 
I hope you see something you like. I hope the 20% discount encourages you do make a change on your table this season.
I hope you see something you like. I hope the 20% discount encourages you do make a change on your table this season.
Do you have memories of special table settings? I'd love to hear about them. (NOTE: Contest/Give Away ahead--proceed with great abandon!) Perhaps I can add 8 new wine glasses to your setting. I need you to leave a comment here by, ummm . . . let's say Friday. Good luck!
Are you Merry? Be Merry!
Thanks for your indulgence!
20 comments:
I promise that if I win, you will get to drink out of them next Wine and Cheese party! HA!
I've always loved dishes too. My best friend and I would go to Dillard's in high school and pick out our place settings for when we got married. And then of course when I DID get married, I didn't pick out a china pattern, so now I get to use the mix and match I find wherever I can! Thanks for your inspiration on how to use it together.
I love dishes.......china, crystal, silver, and OH, the linens! My aunt taught me how to set the table and I am doing it still 50 years later. I would appreciate these wine glasses!
One year, when money was tight, my son was astonished with the excitement that I showed as I received a set of Villeroy & Bach 'Switch 3' pasta bowls! He just couldn't understand why I would be so happy about getting bowls for Christmas. (I think he always felt sorry for me, as I didn't get what he thought was an adequate gift!)
Growing up, I can remember dishes/china for every occasion - everyday, cookouts, birthdays, Christmas, and so on... My mother taught us to use the china rather than keeping it only for display. It is the only way to really enjoy a meal.
I like pretty dishes too! I am just too lazy to get them out! My, sister Carrie has inspired me to use my "wedding" china more often. She uses hers when she has us over for Supper (evening meal in the South!). I used my good china for Dinner on Sunday....the food looked and tasted better than it really was! I do not have any NICE wine glasses...I would like these too!
Anne
You ask about table settings...during the Christmas season? This makes me teary-eyed. You see in September we helped my parents move out of the house they lived in for 41 years. That's 41 Christmas dinners at the huge dining room table that seated my parents, me, my six siblings and our spouses...yes, 16 of us! (The grandkids sat at a separate table.) And my mom's table setting consisted of pieces she picked up over the years from places like Montreal and Puerto Rico and San Diego. Each dinner and bread plate was different, nothing matched and they all sparked conversation. When had my parents travelled there, what did they see while they visited that place and what made them choose that destination (most often it was a business trip for my dad's job). The table setting wasn't particularly fancy, but it was fun and unique! Upon selling their house, my mother said that sitting at that dining room table with her family was the thing she would miss the very most.
Paige, I think you've inpsired me to hurry up and start a tradition for my children.:0)
Thanks for asking! Merry Christmas!
Lynda--I agree with using your china! Further, I too would be excited to receive three bowls--my son would also feel sorry for me.
Judy and "me" (can I say your name or are you in witness protection . . .again?) I knew we were kindred spirits on several levels!
One of my favorite memories of the holidays at my grandma's house was her turkey platter~ a huge, colorful and ancient thing that took up most of the table. My dad has it now, and I still get that little kid feeling when I see it. Also, she had these great dishes, a winter scene in a sienna hue, of children skating on a pond, a horse and buggy, people in dicken's-esque clothing walking, etc. It almost was a shame to cover the scene up with food!
Happy Holidays Paige! ~ Rhonda
I remember using my Memaw's Desert Rose china for holiday's and special occasions. It was her Aunt's, so my great, great Aunt's and she would receive pieces of it for birthdays, holidays, mother's days etc... Needless to say the china cabinet is full of pieces that I am not even sure they make any more. My Memaw would let me use it when I had friends over for special luncheons on the porch, and I always loved getting out the pieces we would use. She died in 1996 and I was left the Desert Rose China. We still use it when I go home to my mom's (I didn't chance moving all of it with me to Ft Campbell) and we all have fond memories of the beautiful pieces. I look fwd to telling my children, someday, about their great, great, GREAT Aunt's china and all the memories I have wrapped around it.
PS My wine glasses are from Dollar Tree, they would have a wonderful home here, promise =)
Mix and match is so nice! That is one reason I was so happy about the 'Switch 3' pattern, there are three different patterns using blues and greens - birds, flowers, and solids.
the following comment was left by Lee on a differnet post, but intended for this post . . .
you're so right about the memories. The first place setting matches almost exactly some beautiful antique egg cups I have of my Grandmothers. I consider them much to precious to put out for fear of them being chipped by a wayward happy child. But, I do so love having them.
Thank you for your "Indulgences".
December 16, 2009 8:28 AM
Growing up as a missionary kid, we didn't have much finery in the house. It was mostly donations or hand me downs. My mother, however, always used the best that she had to serve us, her family. Her family was more important to her than royalty therefore why save the nicer things for special guests. We WERE the special guests EVERY night. When we would help set the table, we would always have to get out place-mats and cloth napkins in napkin rings. There were never any pots and pans used to serve the food either. It may have been mismatched, but all the food that landed on the table to be served were in the best serving dishes that we had. And to us THAT was always beautiful!
Rhonda--a dear friend gave me my own huge turkey platter years ago--it's one of my fav-or-ite pieces! I love using it. I think your Grandma had Friendly Village--which is my winter pattern, too! So much in common! I hope you get to set your table with that platter some day!
Katie--sniff, sniff.
nuff said.--paige
lee--even though you made me work for it--I love reading your post! i think you need to come get the egg cups i have here . . . they're less than $2! paige
Magen,
I love Desert Rose! There is so much you can mix with it. What great memories you have of your Memaw!
Good luck!
Paige
Lynda,
I'm going to google "switch three" china right now!
Paige
Christy,
I think your Mom definitely "got it." Great story--thank you for sharing. (My mother never allows pot or pans on the table either.)
Paige
My mother ALWAYS used something made of pottery or porcelain for condiments. Never the mustard jar, or pickle jar, and so on... I am glad to hear that others grew up the same way! I thought my family was the only one! :)
Paige -
http://eshop.villeroy-boch.com/us/shopping/
Many Swith 3 patterns, mine come from the 'Cordoba' and 'Costa' patterns.
The combinations are endless. (Easy for those who have no idea what to give me - when I've been good!!)
I have certainly enjoyed the stories in this blog, as it reminds me that the simple things in life are what give us a lasting impression. From interesting plates, linen napkins, a nicely set table, to condiments dipped into in china.
I once had a neighbor who would make two meals... one for the kids on paper plates, and one for herself and hubby that had the 'loving' touch. From that time forward, I have rarely purchased paper/plastic. I always felt that I would give the impression of being 'put out' if I used disposable. Anyway, the conversation at the sink can be as delightful as the one at the table!! :)
Paige -
http://eshop.villeroy-boch.com/us/shopping/
Many Swith 3 patterns, mine come from the 'Cordoba' and 'Costa' patterns.
The combinations are endless. (Easy for those who have no idea what to give me - when I've been good!!)
I have certainly enjoyed the stories in this blog, as it reminds me that the simple things in life are what give us a lasting impression. From interesting plates, linen napkins, a nicely set table, to condiments dipped into in china.
I once had a neighbor who would make two meals... one for the kids on paper plates, and one for herself and hubby that had the 'loving' touch. From that time forward, I have rarely purchased paper/plastic. I always felt that I would give the impression of being 'put out' if I used disposable. Anyway, the conversation at the sink can be as delightful as the one at the table!! :)
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