I agree with Blue Cat. I have china, silver and crystal, not because I registered, but because I married it. I've often joked that I married my husband because of food, and this is one element of it. My dad was an air force sergeant with four daughters, so you know we lived on a shoe string. But an assignment to Germany put Mom within reach of china and crystal factories, and she slowly (over the three years we were stationed there) built up a large set of china and one of crystal. Almost every sunday all the good stuff came out and we kept our church clothes on and learned proper eating etiquette. Cream Soda makes a great champagne substitute, by the way! When I got older (I'm the eldest) my best freind and I got to have a little glass of wine from a crystal wine decanter (she loves these memories so much she found one exactly like mom's and bought it and trots it out whenever I'm in Denver). It was a big family tradition. And Mom was right, it paid off in the long run. I think my sisters and I can go anywhere, any time, any affair, and not feel uncomfortable. I think when they were young, my parents were intimidated by some of the formal affairs they attended in the military, and wanted to make sure us girls wouldn't be. Anyway, the slightest drop of the hat brings out "the good stuff" (at least several times a month, more often in the winter). Some of my younger freinds are astonished to walk in to a table set to the nines. My youngest freind (4 years old) loves to be able to light the candelabra. I'm with Mom and Blue Cat; if you've got it, trot the stuff out and use it. Well worth a broken plate or two to sit down and feel like a queen in your own home.
