Registering for china can be a daunting task. There are so many patterns, so many options … and if you’re like me, you’ve been eating off of plastic plates since you moved out of your parents’ house. So, walking into that china department faced with hundreds of options can be a little overwhelming, to say the least.
There are basically three different types of china: stone wear, fine, and bone. Did you know that you can set four teacups of bone china on the ground, lower a car evenly onto them, and the cups will not break? Bone china is the strongest china there is, since it’s actually made with bone ashes. It is also the most expensive, typically. You can tell bone china from fine china by a simple test. Hold a dinner plate up to the light. If you can see the shadow of your hand behind the plate, it's bone china. Contrary to its name, stone wear is actually the most fragile of the three, but is the least expensive. Fine china is in between bone china and stone wear in both cost and durability.
Registering for both formal and everyday china is up to you. Do you see family and friends coming to your house for dinner on special occasions? If so, you may want to consider registering for formal china in addition to everyday china. Or, do you anticipate that you’ll always be at someone else’s house for special occasion dinners? Then you may need only everyday dishes. Assess your current and future needs, then make your decision from there. The same goes for how many place settings to register for. Eight place settings is generally the minimum you’ll need. If you look forward to entertaining often, then register for 12 place settings. Another option that can give the best of both worlds, yet is easier on the budget, is dressing up your everyday dishes. Register for or buy many different types of placemats, linen napkins, and napkin rings. Also, many patterns include what’s called a charger. This is a large plate in an accent pattern that can go underneath the dinner plate. The charger can really dress up a place setting. Just by changing your linens and accessories, you can give your everyday dishes an entirely different look. From fun to formal, or elegant to exciting.
Just as you want your table to look good, so do you want your food. So, keep in mind how different types of foods will look on the color of the dish you’re considering. That black plate may look contemporary and fun, but how will a Thanksgiving dinner of brown turkey and gravy look with it?
Additionally, make sure the dinner plates are large enough to hold an entire dinner. There are many popular patterns out there that have a large rim and a small serving area; which is not nearly large enough for a full dinner with side dishes. Also, see what type of serving pieces are available in the same pattern ... chances are you'll want at least some of the serving pieces, such as vegetable and casserole bowls, in your chosen pattern, so make sure they're available.
Which leads me to: take care the patterns you're registering for are not trendy. This is the china you'll likely have all your life, so make sure it's tasteful, classic, and is something you will still like five, 10, and 20 years from now. In addition, ensure the pattern you're registering for is open stock. Open stock means you can buy one piece at a time, rather than a whole place setting. So, if you break one bowl, you can buy just one bowl to replace it, rather than a whole new five-piece place setting.
Also, before you finalize your choices for your silverware, crystal or china, put down a place setting of it all to see how it looks together. Most stores will have tables set out specifically for this purpose and a (hopefully!) knowledgeable salesperson on staff to assist you with any other questions. Happy shopping!
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