Gravy Ladle:

Casserole/Berry Spoon:

Or, should I give just the monogrammed set, boxed, as a gift, then quietly give them the partial sets and serving pieces later? I don't have a lot invested, less than $1.00/piece, but so far I've collected 153 pieces. The kids are fairly casual about entertaining, so I'm going to give them my blessing to use the silverplate for everyday flatware. Son and fiance were friends in HS, kept in contact, then started dating a couple of years ago, so fiance is very comfortable in our home, with all my vintage/antique/just plain old, stuff. I use mismatched pieces everyday, but I'm not quite sure about the gift-giving etiquette.

Serving Pieces:

The whole spread:

I know some of you use silverplate or sterling every day, so I'd like your opinions. Thank you!

I use my sterling daily and it goes into the dishwasher. But plated ware doesn't do so well in the dishwasher if there is any tiny bit of basemetal showing, that will turn dark.
But as you have said, you don't have a lot in it....certainly less than a decent set of stainless.
Lucky kids!....And if they use it daily and wash and dry by hand they will never need to polish it.
Linda C

I'll pass along the info on hand washing vs. dishwasher. If you look closely at the carving fork, you can see that the edges of the tines and post are worn, showing the dark base that you mentioned. For many years I used an old set of Rogers (Inspiration), even putting it in the DW. Now I wish I'd known better--I'm trying to add to that set for one of my daughters. Even though it has that 'scoured' appearance, it's in decent shape, and it will have sentimental value to her.

sheilajoyce, I don't have sterling, but I enjoy using my odds-and-ends silverplate pieces every day. I have some orphaned, ornate serving pieces that I use for special occasions, and I'm trying to collect a nice service for 24, for family dinners. I'm also collecting a set for my other daughter.

I've been bitten by the silver bug!

I got into major trouble by saying when I was going to auctions a lot....that I would buy any sterling piece for $1.00.
Well a good buy on 12 salad forks set me on a search for other things....and now I have a service for 9 ( with a few extra salad forks!) and gravy ladle, serving spoons and meat fork, butter knives etc etc.....and another buy of 8 forks sent me to completing another pattern to 20 place settings... with the basic 4 pieces...12 settings with6 pieces....etc.
Be very careful....what looks cheap today may turn out to be an expensive habit!

ideefixe, great advice! My son was raised with vintage /antiques, and so far seems to appreciate them--the first vehicle he bought on his own was a restored VW 'vanagon.' Future DIL is proud to have her Gma's sewing machine, and furniture that her Gfthr crafted. But for the price that I paid for the silverplate, they can use it and abuse it.

Which reminds me of a story...When older DD was in college, she took some art courses. She actually won awards for some of her work, but imagine my surprise, when we went to the showing, to find one of my Rogers 'Inspiration' salad forks welded to a Calder-type mobile. Grrrr. Art or not, as soon as the piece came back, I took the wire cutter to it. The fork will never be the same--maybe I should re-think giving that kid her own set. :[

klseiverd, I remember you! You're right--I find myself reaching for the silverplate, instead of stainless. I'm not a 'frou-frou' decorator, but those silverplate flowers and curlicues make every meal taste better.

You may remember my previous thread about finding a mass of silverplate via craigslist. I've had such a good time with it! While trying to complete several sets, I've given other pieces away: Traded some to another GW friend, gave my niece a small set, and gave my mother a set that happened to share her first name, 'Shirley.' She uses it to serve her card-playing pals. I used pieces engraved 'Mother' to decorate her Christmas package, and gave my sister some of the fancy, but worn, pieces to display with a tea set on her porch.

Someday the younger generation will be telling stories and laughing about Grandma's silver obsession. Maybe they already are. :)

If your future dil ticks you off you could always send the service to someone else who wants it (me lol). :).

For the pieces that don't pass muster you can have them replated (which is worthwhile to me for often used serving pieces) or you could try some of the less expensive replanting stuff you see online which actually does work ok...I use it for a snap on occasion

:P

No reason others can't enjoy the affliction too!

Lindac, after posting the thread, I've found a few pieces to complete the 24 pl service. Thank you for the link--the box alone is really nice. I'm putting the set on my watch list, but I fear that if I buy any more Grosvenor pieces, I'll be teetering on the brink of hoarding. And as for sterling...I'm not even gonna go there! ;)

Hi, fori! :)

Plus it's really small and stacks with others. :P

I was able to collect enough for 24 place settings, plus the chest and serving pieces pictured in my first post, as well as the better ladle and a few extra pieces (total 199 pieces), for well under $1.00/piece.

Then I found this little cutie (pictured next to a teaspoon for scale), and blew my average:

It was still a great deal at $10.25. I think it'll make a lovely stocking stuffer! :)

Didja decide to have some extra fun and slip a butter knife into her carry on luggage? Hehehe!