dinnerware sets of 12
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Giggly Gir
How many registered gift requests per guests? Price range? Help!!!! Thank you!
Answer
Well, this answer is going to be "practical" with respect to the idea of setting up a household that will last for decades and play a role in the larger relationships of community and extended family. If your focus is on maximizing your material gains from your guests, read the other answer(s).
First, understand that a registry is not about registering "gift requests". That's obscene. Nice people don't ask for gifts, or even expect them from their guests.
A registery is for helping YOU plan what you need for your household in the LONG run -- where "long" includes things like, what will you need for the coming sixty year's worth of Christmas Dinner's, children's and grandchildren's baptisms or bris and confirmations or bar mitzvahs, how will you entertain when you're lobbying on behalf of the PTA or supporting your spouse's run for governor, and so on.
And since this is about building community and family, you want to plan to set the highest standards of taste, hospitality and graciousness for the home where you are about to be the home-maker. So don't register at Target: register at a reputed department store that understands the concept of a permanent registry. That way they'll still have the name of the pattern on hand twelve years from now, when you've broken a wine goblet and need to replace it, or can finally afford that matching soup tureen.
Give your guests the benefit of the doubt: if you've registered for something that's available cheaper at Walmart they can choose for themselves to go to Walmart. If all they can afford is a spatula they'll give you a spatula: you don't need to register your preferred choice for generic things that wear out and don't come in a distinctive pattern! At the same time recognize that registering for fine china openstock gives them the choice of giving one teacup or a place setting or four place settings -- and unlike a dishrag or wooden spoon, they'll know that they're giving something you'll cherish and pass to future generations.
Register for dinnerware, flatware, and drinkware. Register for the nicest quality that you will actually USE -- no point in having 24kt-gold trimmed Spode porcelain if you'd never use anything you can't put through the dishwasher and microwave. But you can have beautiful Denby stoneware. Do not register for things that you would never buy for yourselves -- remember that you are grownups now, and it's YOUR responsibility to furnish your household with all necessities, not something to be shirked off onto honoured guests. "Real" things are in better taste than faux status -- for example either sterling silver or stainless steel are in better taste than thin silver-plate over underlying base metal. If you wouldn't spring for sterling for yourself, then choose stainless and register for that. If you have inherited heirloom china or already begun collecting high-quality pieces, then build on the patterns you already own. If your pattern is discontinued, search for a coordinating pattern that looks well beside the heirloom china.
Start with a small number of pieces that are enough to serve a typical simple meal for you and your spouse -- for example two dinner plates, two mugs, two soup plates and two dessert plates. Then add additional pieces to the place settings you've got and add additional place settings. If you are going to entertain formally always add place settings in multiples of four -- for example 2, 6 or 10 people at the table are easier to seat symmetrically than 4, 8 or 12 are. Twelve is too many for domestic formal dinners anyway, at least by post-industrial standards.
What are some helpful tips for moving into first apartment?
Q. I am moving into my first apartment by myself in a few weeks. Its a one bedroom, and the guy who rented before is leaving a lot of his things (bed, entertainment center, kitchen table, etc). What is some advice, or things I need to buy in order to have a gorgeous apartment that I will love?
Thanks everyone!!
The guy who had the apartment before me is a family friend-- so its not like its creepy or anything. I am definitly buying a new mattress though. And he couldn't take everything because he moved from florida to arizona with just a small Uhaul.
Answer
First of all, let me say--CONGRATULATIONS!!! Renting your first apartment is very rewarding and at the same time challenging. Be sure that the things the other renter left behind are in good condition or at least partial condition because you don't want these things to cause you trouble down the road. Once you move your things in, be sure you do a thorough "clean-thru" before you start placing things where you want them. When I say "clean-thru," I mean go room by room and sweep/mop the floors, vacuum floors ( if carpeted), clean windows, if windows open, air the rooms out for a couple of hours, (don't forget to close if you go out), make sure you do a VERY thorough clean-thru in the bathroom.....VERY important. Clean the shower/tub, sink, and toilet with all purpose cleaner so any/all germs will be killed. Place air fresheners in every room so they will have a clean scent to them at all times. The best ones I've found that do a pretty good job are the Glade scented oils and those air fresheners that release a mist of freshness every few minutes. You can set the timer for however often you want the mist to release into the room. I like the mists, but my favorite is the scented oils. To me it seems they last longer. A few things you can buy for your apartment are listed below:
1. Broom, dust pan, mop, bucket, vacuum(if floors carpeted)
2. Trash can for kitchen, bathroom, bed room
3. Cleaning supplies for bathroom use, kitchen use, and regular houskeeping use
4. Bathroom set (includes--shower curtain, soap dish, toothbrush holder, trashcan, lotion holder, and most importantly.....towel and washcloth set) (hint: shower curtain usually comes with the inside panel; the towel and washcloth set should have two washcloths, two hand towels, and two bath towels--you can pick what color, design, etc. you want--depends on your taste--bathroom set should all coordinate)
5. Make sure you have enough washcloths, towels, etc. not only for yourself, but guests as well
6. PLEASE make sure you have PLENTY of toilet paper....this one is a BIGGIE!!!
7. You also need to get a matching kitchen set which should include dish cloth, dish towel, and if you prefer....matching pot holder and glove
8. Make sure you get yourself a can opener and a hand can opener in case something goes wrong with the regular can opener.
9. Get yourself a nice dishrack, silverware tray, and a few kitchen counter essentials that you can decorate the counter with. (ex. sugar, flour, pasta, and cookie jars)--you can also get those bottles that have dried vegetables/beans in them too--look in houseware/kitchenware aisles
10. You can also get mats to put at front/back doors to keep yourself as well as guests from tracking dirt, mud, etc. into apartment. You can also get area rugs to place in rooms throughout apartment as well.
11. Last but not least--if you would like, place a nice wreath on outside of door to make your home as inviting to guests as it is to you. (another favorite of mine is the ficus trees you find in most people's living rooms. One on either side of couch, loveseat, and what have have you makes your home look gorgeous as well.
12. MOST IMPORTANT--most everything I've listed above can be found at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Pier 1(nice prices), Target, and even at a few other little stores around--Family Dollar, Dollar General
Whatever you decide, make your apartment feel as much as home to you as you possibly can.
Again, congratulations, and may your home say to you....home sweet home.
P.S. Don't forget the dinnerware--plates, cups, bowls--this comes in a set as well--
I know your apartment will be BEAUTIFUL.....congrats!!
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