Thanksgiving and Christmas silverware

[lcsamano]

During the holidays do you tend to bring out the good silverware or do you choice to use your everyday silverware? I usually use my everyday silverware however, this year, I am thinking about bringing out my good set of silverware that was handed down to me from my Great-Grandma.

[Mama Mangia]

Use your good stuff!

You are here to use it - why save it??

If anything were to happen to you - could you honestly say you had gotten your use out of it? Is there anyone who would appreciate it when you are gone that would use it?? Or would it end up at a garage sale somewhere?

Please don't think I am harsh - I'm not.

I've had to bury too many family members including those who liked to keep things new and save them - for whoever or whatever reason. They never enjoyed things that were precious to them. They would be packed away on a shelf or whatever - and now they are gone - never getting to use or display these things. Why? Waiting for that special time to use it.

There is nothing wrong with using and appreciating these things. I am one who always cherished what was handed down - all those wonderful memories. And taking care of these things to keep them as perfect as possible. What for?

Now I use everything - and you know what? If something should happen and it breaks - at least I know it was something that I got to enjoy or use for the time that I had it. That heirloom tablecloth gets a nasty stain - oh well. There may be something you can do to hide it.

Why should something that was passed down or cherished end up in a pawn shop, getting stolen, lost in a flood or fire, etc. without you having the chance to enjoy it. These items are still well taken care of and carefully put aside for when they are not used.

Good dishes, silverware, etc. should be used for holidays, Sundays, special occasions, birthdays - you name it! I don't care if you have a Groundhog's Day party and use it. Give your family memories of these things.

Someday you or one of your loved ones will not be here to enjoy it.

Like a close friend of mine who insisted that no one would sit in her living room - it was picture perfect and it was going to stay that way - forever. Too bad her husband died without ever getting to sit on the furniture he bought! Now - her living room is for anyone to sit in. Does that make any sense? What a way to learn a lesson. You want a perfect living room - clean it daily - that's the way I see it. Is that "perfect" room cleaned enough to keep out the daily dust???



Did you ever see the email that was going around a few years ago about a woman who bought a very special article of clothing that she left wrapped in tissue paper in her drawer for "that special occasion" and her husband ended up giving it to the undertaker for her to wear in her casket??? Nice time to finally wear it, huh??

Think about it................



Okay - I've said enough - but in short - USE YOUR GOOD STUFF AND ENJOY IT!!! Have many happy memories with it all! And some day your loved ones will share all those memories with everyone.

[lcsamano]

Thanks you were very inspirational in your post. I have decided to use the good silverware as well as the China that my mom passed down to me. I think I might even use it as everyday silverware every once in awhile.

[Mama Mangia]

Good for you - and may you and your family enjoy it for a long time!! Remember - it was meant to be used and enjoyed!

[mtmomj]

I always have dinner at my moms. She has special silverware and plates. I don't personally own any kind of special dishes yet. Now you are making me want to go shopping for that special set.

[oldbay]

Are you folks talk about real Silver ware or a good quality tableware like Oneida? The reason I ask, is I have a few pieces of silver service, like a covered serving dish. It's a lot of work to keep the silver clean, so I'm curious if you folks are using authentic silver silverware, and keeping the silver polished.

[Mama Mangia]

We have very little authentic silver in our house and it is a lot of work to keep up with - you're right. But - it's there to be used. While polishing just think of all the happy memories and the wonderful dinners that silver was a part of. It makes the cleaning seem not so boring.

Even those expensive dishes and serving pieces - I feel that they are there to be used - not saved for no reason.

[oldbay]

I think my silver needs real serving from a professional to get back to normal. I can clean it but it doesn't polish up to the shine it should have. The Tarnex stuff seems to remove the tarnish, but it's not a silver polish. I don't know if the Tarnex is the problem, and if it's hurt the silver, or if it's my neglect of the tarnish.

I've used the pink silver polish to clean the silver but it does polish like it used to do. Anyone got any tips on cleaning up old, somewhat neglected silver servingware? I think I've tried the ketchup trick too.

[Mama Mangia]

Use the sink, put a sheet of foil on the bottom and a handful of salt. Run very hot water into the sink, then submerge your items in it for 2-3 minutes. The tarnish should be gone. You may have to repeat if the silverware is in bad shape. You can do this for any silver - even jewelry.

Using those tarnish removers isn't good for you.