The impracticability of crystal glassware

[Deleted User]

I love crystal and have a lot of it. We use it everyday at supper time along with the silver ware we have. Washing it by hand is no problem. I love to see the table set with a nice cloth, the crystal etc.... you just cannot beat it.

Eventually it will go, my children are not interested, although they do like to see the table when its set for special meals, Christmas etc.....

Tigsteroonie

You've reminded me that I have some crystal at the back of a cupboard that hasn't seen light of day for ten years. I'm going to start using it (and hand-washing it) so that it can bring me 'joy'.

I did similar with my Portmeirion dinner service five years ago: got fed up of considering it as 'best' and only seeing it at special occasions, I decided to start using it every day. I've broken a few plates and bowls since and the designs are fading in the dishwasher, but I still love that my dinner plates have a design that brings me joy.

elsien

I have a cupboard full. Left to me by grandparent, who had never dared use them so after 60 odd years they still had the labels on.
When she got older she asked me if I wanted them, with the warning that if I broke any she'd come back and haunt me. I pointed out they were useless if stored in their boxes for the next 60 years. So if she wanted me to have them it was on the understanding I would use them and some would probably break. If she didn't want that to happen, then leave them to someone else.

I use them when I want to, I handwash them which takes about two minutes and isn't exactly onerous, and if I break one, then so be it. But when I use them, I think of my Grandmother and raise a glass to her.

Sea_Shell

I've come to the conclusion that if you have nice things, USE THEM, don't save them for an unspecified time in the future! Otherwise, what's the point.

Or at least display them, so you get some visual joy from them...don't hide them away.

suki1964

Im with Seashell, you are worth the good things in life, so use them

I use mt crystal and silverware, linen table cloths and napkins all the time. No point in having them sat in the cupboard.

Same as perfume and smellies and clothes, use them and wear them , you feel a lot better

VfM4meplse

Deleted_User wrote: »

Eventually it will go, my children are not interested, although they do like to see the table when its set for special meals, Christmas etc.....

They might change their minds as they get older and their own kids grow up. Tastes do change

buildersdaughter

DH used to love using the really good crystal glasses and it was his job to wash the. A few years ago, he decided it wasn't worth it, and we adopted Sea Shell's attitude. We put them in the dishwasher. One has gone cloudy and had been chucked - the others still look nice.
Actually, washing them on an 'everyday' (actually weekends) isn't a problem - as elsien says, it takes 2 minutes. More onerous was when there were 6-8 people for dinner, and they had maybe used a couple of glasses each. On occasions like that they now go in to the dishwasher without powder, and none has gone cloudy since.

Primrose

I,m wondering whether it,s a combination of dishwasher tablets and hard water whixh hastens their cloudy appearance. We're in. High limescale water area and even cheap everyday glasses go cloudy quite quickly.

[Deleted User]

VfM4meplse wrote: »

They might change their minds as they get older and their own kids grow up. Tastes do change

My children are well grown 59, 57 and 51 and do not want the crystal, silver or linen Nor does my eldest Granddaughter.

Sea_Shell

Best to make the decisions about what you want to really keep (treasure) sooner rather than later, because eventually, your family may decide to (or have to) skip the lot!!!

They may decide to keep your few "best bits" if they can actually see the "wheat from the chaff".

When faced with a houseful of stuff, it's hard to make out what's what otherwise.