Should I sell my Christmas dishes?

[luvmy3]

Even for those who feel that way (I'm not convinced that we have to use items to prove our love), it's different with china, though. Some people feel that china is "special" and needs to be used on a special occasion. And in the OP's case, she hasn't felt that that is possible, since there aren't enough settings for the people she has on the special occasions. That's why all of the ideas here are helpful, because they show all the fun ways you can use fancy dishes!

I have my china very available, but we still don't use it as much as I'd like, because DH is the dish-washer here, and he balks at hand-washing and is very afraid of breaking anything, especially my mom's china. So we love it and love using it, but the realities of using it keep us from using it as often as we'd like.

Not using something in 8 years, I don't consider that not using something often, I consider that not using something, at all.
The OP asked, I answered different than 99% of the posters, I certainly don't expect the OP to do anything I say. Doesn't change the fact that if I had something, even if I loved it, sitting up in my attic for 8 years, I'd get rid of it.

 

[robsmom]

Well I solved the problem of never using...I bring them out Thanksgiving or before and use them for months, why do you only have to use them for Christmas...who wrote that rule...same with my Dpt 56 houses I leave them up until March now.... hey when you get old you do what you want and don't care what people think...

I also keep my houses (dicken's village) up for the entire winter season. Actually they are still up. Since it is now closer to next Christmas than to last, I guess they are staying.

 

[annsteere]

I am with the majority here - keep them! I also like the idea of buying a few more dinner plates.

Having read this thread, maybe I will buy some Christmas dishes for my house! I have 4 holiday mugs and matching salad plates - but that's the extent of it!

Think after Christmas sales.

I bought just 4 plates one year at 50% off because they caught my eye and I loved them.

The next year they were up to 90% off the day after Christmas.

Since then several family members have picked up pieces at garage sales.

I now have a set that will serve 24---I dream of grandkids who will join us and get to eat off the same plates as the big people.

 

[Dismom55]

My brother actually just gave me a service for 4 of stoneware with a blue snowflake pattern that I plan on using for everyday starting the day after Thanksgiving. Then I have a silver snowflake set that my deceased husband gave me service for 4 the last Christmas before he died along with serving pieces, if I can get more plates and cups, I believe I will get them for myself this year so I can start using them for more formal table settings with more at the table, aiming for about 8, otherwise I still have my good china, either way one can always use more plates and variety depending on the guest occasion. I especially like to entertain on Christmas Eve and while paper is great for when my kids were younger, now that they are 24 and 20 yrs old, I rather enjoy getting out the real plates, even when going buffet. Saves money in the long run, not having to buy all that paper from year to year.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Another vote here to use them from Thanksgiving on. Even if you have to handwash them, it's only how many plates each evening? It is so festive! I have Christmas placemats and I love setting them out each day. I actually move all my everyday plates to where I store my Christmas dishes. Is there anyway you could make space in one of your closets? Slide them under a bed? If I had to haul them down from the attic I don't think I would get them out either.

 

[katied718]

Update: we took the advice of using them. We put them in the cabinets at Thanksgiving and put our everyday dishes in the attic. I love them and they are so cute & the kids love them too! I'm happy that I didn't sell them.

I have however found lots of other stuff to sell in the mean time-so much that when my kids see me cleaning up a toy they start begging for me not to sell it, lol!

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I've been battling this same thing and decided to sell my dishes I love (and use all the time but they don't go with my decor and they are worth quite a bit) but keep something. I'm keeping my soup bowl things, something that you don't find in most sets anymore, and I have all the rest up for sale. A good compromise. I also considered using some of it to make something I could use, but went with this.

I'm glad you were able to find a way to make it work for you!