Make Your Home More Welcoming – Challenge #7

by Kimba on November 2, 2009

in Sanctuary at Home


Use the good stuff.

Do you have a china cabinet full of wedding china (or Grandma’s china or thrift store china?) that only gets pulled out for a holiday or special occasion? How about some pretty glasses that don’t get used because they’re fragile? Is it REALLY the end of the world if one gets broken?

What’s the point? Let’s get out the good stuff and use it for our own family. Now, I’m not telling you to use Grandma’s china if that’s going to mean hours of hand washing afterward, but if it can go in the dishwasher…why not?

Me? I’m going to pull out some fun appetizer plates that I only use for parties and use them to serve lunch to the kids. Fun, right? And easy.

And I’m going to pull out my fancy goblets and use them for dinner.

Do you have something special that you don’t use. Get it out and give it a spin! Maybe there’s a bottle of champagne in the back of your fridge that’s just waiting for a special occasion.

I say Monday is a special occasion. How about you?

You can browse all of our challenges and join in any time. Just click here to see the whole series.

photo credit DeusXFlorida

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{ 21 comments }

1 Jennifer Juniper November 2, 2009 at 6:17 am

You're right, what am I waiting for? It's so scary, though!!!

2 Suzann @ The Olive Cottage November 2, 2009 at 6:31 am

I hear ya girlie.

I was just thinking about my grandmother's china and I really am going to start using them for dinners on Sundays for just my family. To show them how much I value them and our time together.

3 Queen B. November 2, 2009 at 6:36 am

I agree. Why have gorgeous stuff if you never use it ?
I've used my china about 6 times in 17 years.
Pathetic.
Time to break it out :)

4 Nancy Jacobs Basketmaster November 2, 2009 at 7:09 am

That is always such good advice. Now that Nov. is here, I'm going to get out my good Christmas dishes and USE them!
Blessings,
Nancy

5 Lettered Cottage November 2, 2009 at 7:15 am

Amen Sister!

I'm ALL ABOUT pulling out the good stuff. Life is too short to wait around for so-called "special occasions". Why can't EVERY day be one, right? :-)

Layla

6 white flower design November 2, 2009 at 7:19 am

I just realized that I have not put out the good silver for 18 years. I think it's about time! Lori

7 Marci @OvercomingBusy November 2, 2009 at 7:24 am

Isn't everyday special? Why don't we treat it as such?!

8 Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage November 2, 2009 at 7:29 am

I whole-heartedly agree! We use "the good stuff" whenever for whatever. There is nothing in my house I don't use. Otherwise, it's just taking up valuable space.

9 Tori November 2, 2009 at 7:38 am

I have pretty glass that I'm dying to get out. :)

I have some awards for ya!!:)

10 anhesty November 2, 2009 at 8:29 am

i use my "good" stuff all the time. but i dont have much anyways. working on my collection :D

11 beth November 2, 2009 at 8:37 am

I don't have any "good" dishes, but I've never understood why people keep perfectly usable dishes locked up. What's the worst that could happen? Why have something sitting around gathering dust? Use it!

12 Lynn from For Love or Funny November 2, 2009 at 8:53 am

Once I broke one of my grandmother's antique glasses; initially, I was horrified, but then I got over it and now I don't hesitate to use them.

When you break one, you realize that the world won't come to an end if you bust the good china. :)

13 Cristin November 2, 2009 at 8:59 am

I agree!!! Don't delay.

xo,
cristin

14 Elizabeth@LongToLove November 2, 2009 at 9:08 am

These challenges have been such a great encouragement. Thanks so much!

Recently my new motto has been "life is just too short to not use your crystal and china." What's the point of having it if you can't enjoy it??

15 AnNicole @ OurSuburbanCottage November 2, 2009 at 10:00 am

That is so funny…I just included something similar in a post last night (great minds…). There's something about lighting a few candles or eating from the good plates that makes Mac n' Cheese taste that much better :-) .

16 Amanda @ Serenity Now November 2, 2009 at 11:39 am

If I had china, I would totally pull it out. Unfortunately, I listened to my mom (who hates entertaining) and didn't register for any. :s And somehow my aunt ended up with my grandmother's stuff that was supposed to go to my sister and I…hmmmm….Maybe I'll start combing TJ Maxx and find some of my OWN. ;)

17 Gina November 2, 2009 at 11:47 am

I love this idea! We sometimes use our 'fancy' cups for jello and pudding and the kids love it-but I've always hesitated using our nice china and stuff because it needs hand washing-but why not? Or at least why not use just a few of the good things? Maybe a tea party is in our future this week!

18 Merrie November 2, 2009 at 12:19 pm

I like that idea. I think Monday is a reason to celebrate. :) My son picked dinner for tonight, which will warrant a stop at Trader Joe's on the way home. Me thinks a little bubbly cider could be a fun addition with our fancy delicate glasses. Why ignore them?

Thanks Kimba — inspirational as always. Oh, and I pointed people in your direction in my post today. You're always a treat to read. :)

19 ~Ellie Kings~ November 2, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Always wondered why people never used the good stuff. Now that I have my own home, I know, afraid it might break. Thanks for the advice!

20 Carol in Indian Springs Village November 2, 2009 at 4:15 pm

What a great reminder. I have tried this past year to make even small occasions special. We regularly have a game night with friends and I've been getting out some of the good stuff and setting the table with a 'theme' for our meal. I doubt the men care but the women notice and I enjoy using the items as well as showing them that I think they are special. I even do it just for the two of us some also…'just because'.

21 BeautifulWreck November 3, 2009 at 12:09 am

I always use the good stuff. My mother never used hers and it still sits in the China Cabinet today.

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