It's time to decide on a plate setting design for my daughter's Hope chest. She won't receive this for another 10-12 years so I need it to stand the test of time and be of good quality and classic appeal. What would you recommend?
2007-02-28 04:43:25 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
This is kind of a toughie. I have to say that your desire to assemble a Hope Chest for your daughter is awesome, and I think that whatever you select for her, she should be proud and happy to have it.
That said, a china pattern and style is a very personal thing. I know my daughter, who is 14 and very strong-willed, would want to be a party to the selection of anything so personal. Has your daughter shown any preferences?
For myself, what I cherish more than fine china is the every-day ceramic ware that came down to me from my grandmother. It's not fine china. It's good Steubenville, with a pattern of red trim and fruit on it, but every time I set it on the table it makes me feel warm and happy because I remember my grandma and the good times we had together. It was because of my grandma's dinnerware that I selected a fine china pattern that is somewhat similar in having a pattern of fruit on it. Maybe this can help you to choose something for your daughter? A pattern that will call to mind some good time that she's had, some happy memory?
Anyway, I think what you're doing is really neat and I hope you have fun assembling the Hope Chest.
2007-02-28 05:04:23 · answer #1 · answered by Karin C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For what it's worth, I'd take another tack. Start laying by good designs of everyday household good, including place settings of ironware and other day to day dining sets. If you are among those who can look ahead 10-12 years and have the knowledge and taste to be concerned about fine bone china, chances are that a lot of people who are invited to a wedding or other ceremony to mark your daughter's starting a household will also incline in that direction. When the time comes, I'm sure your daughter will be delighted with your help in choosing a design that she can register on her gift list so that people who want to give her fine bone china will know what pattern and make she prefers. The only circumstance in which I would do so earlier is if you have a chance to start collecting antique china, but in that case I think that you should do that for yourself and then decide whether you want to gift all or part of it to your daughter. My wife and I have lots of china (Silesian and English, including a Wedgewood piece that goes back to the second decade of the 1800s, but we are only now starting to decide what we will keep and gift to our children and grandchildren, which we will sell, and which few pieces we will take with us when we downsize to live in a retirement condo).
2007-02-28 05:44:55 · answer #2 · answered by silvcslt 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
10 - 12 years is a long time away. Why not save the money in a special account until she is engaged (collect the interest for her as well). You should have a bundle by then and probably enough for crystal stemware.
New styles will be available by then as well, her tastes will change as she grows into womanhood.
2007-02-28 04:48:49 · answer #3 · answered by Pacifica 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I prefer Noritake or Royal Doulton.
2007-02-28 07:21:03 · answer #4 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
8 years later, curious. i know this is a southern tradition. what did you choose?
lenox eternal, or lenox eternal white.
francis 1st sterling, dinner size and luncheon size.
2015-03-21 07:40:15 · answer #5 · answered by diamondcollector 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋