Stopping saving things for best

All these posts remind me of an account I read, years ago. The writer said that on her DB & SiL's Golden Wedding Anniversary day, she'd brought round for them a bottle of rather good champagne. The wife looked at it and said: "thank you; we'll save this for a special occasion." (And she wasn't kidding.....)

I do not have costume jewellery, it is all good stuff but feel overdressed wearing diamonds and other precious stones on a daily basis so often wear the same gold chain and pendant most days.
I agree with the stuff in the safe thing, I don't really have time to go through the contents to find a different item each day and end up taking what is closest.

I have Royal Doulton tea, coffee and dinner services but don't use them for large family gatherings because they are not dishwasher safe. When my elder sister comes we like to use the best china for afternoon tea, tastes so much better.

Clothing is a difficult one, I have a lot of things that were bought for special occasions and they really would not look right on a daily basis.
Just looked in a zip carrier in the wardrobe and found an ice blue silk suit, beautifully cut jacket and with both trousers and a skirt. I can hardly go to Tescos in that nor can I go to a school concert, such a waste.

I had collected crystal glasses for years and long ago they were used. When they ceased to be used for fear of breakage I sold the entire suite and paid for my daughter and partner to go to Jamaica. Holiday of a lifetime! Gave me joy.

I'm guilty of keeping things for best. I don't go out alot. Most of my clothes haven't seen the light of day for months. I tend to just keep on wearing the same outfits over and over again. My jewellery isn't worth anything but l've still got loads l never wear same thing as with the clothes. Must try harder to use things now and get pleasure from them

I even wear my Channel No 5 when I take toilet cassette from my boat to empty. I stopped saving things for best when I read a story about an elderly man laying out clothes for his departed with to be buried in. There was some beautiful silk underwear wrapped in tissue that she had never worn as she had been keeping it for a special occasion...it had never been worn...

We have some 'better stuff' which is fairly plain which comes out when we have guests - but it can go in the dishwasher because it's modern.
I don't like drinking tea from a thick mug either - it has to be bone china but they are fairly modern and go in the dishwasher too.

Gabriella, my good stuff doesnt see the light of day when we have guests either. I dislike using it. The problem is to chuck or store?

I looked at what our decanter are going for on ebay (£25 ish) where Very similar Waterford crystal new is about £250. Baffling.

I used to have clothes for best that as I wore a uniform for my work and often put my pjs on as soon as I got home, meant that most of my clothes were worn only at weekends/ on holiday.
That changed when I was made redundant - the weekend clothes are now my every day clothes and gradually wearing out so what was my "best" clothes are now becoming my everyday clothes as I can't now afford to buy many new things.
I haven't quite been reduced to wearing my maxi dresses complete with diamante's and other embellishments yet though!

I have a beautiful Danish Copenhagen Porcelain hand-painted dinner service my in-laws bought us for a wedding present. We used to use it all the time for dinner parties but since the acquisition of a dishwasher it has been relegated to the dining room cupboard. I know nobody will want it but I cannot get rid of it.

The only expensive jewellery I have is my engagement ring and I never take it off.

All my clothes I wear all the time as I don't buy expensive dresses or suits. I don't really have anything for best but do like to look fairly smart even in jeans.

rosiebeeI agree, use things now. When I cleared out my mother's home I found lots of clothes, bedding, towels etc she had never used. She was someone who believed in saving things for best, but it was such a shame she never got the opportunity to enjoy her 'nice things'

We had a wedding gift of beautiful cutlery and crystal glasses from one rich relative. We have used the cutlery every day but the crystal glasses have gradually been smashed. I do believe in using your best 'stuff'; for all of us the last time to use or wear something will happen, and what a shame if a really fetching outfit hasn't been worn or those lovely pieces of china haven't been used. Using good china makes everything you eat and drink seem special, and lovely clothes make me feel special - mad not to, isn't it?

After my MIL died we gave so much china which had been kept for best for over 70 years and rarely used and clothes that had been kept for best to charity shops . I did not dare let her grandchildren know how many gifts were never used, expensive soaps, beautiful notelets etc. I am slowly going through all my cupboards and drawers listing what may be valuable, photographing jewelry and taking any clothes I have not used for years to the charity shops.

Same as others with the clothes. We also have best china (which was from habitat so not exactly royal doulton), glassware and a canteen of best cutlery.....

I always dress up and wear my jewellery, make up, hair done. perfume applied. It makes me feel better and I wear something different every day so that all my clothes and shoes get worn. Each day is a best day in my opinion

What a great idea Esther1! I should try that - but what happens when I only have (say) tops left in my wardrobe? ?

kittylester I have been "using up" the odds and ends of both my inherited cut glass sets and my inherited tea sets in a mix-and-match way. My adult children have commented on how nice this rag-tag-and-bobtail looks!
Once we have broken a few more I will be able to move my own choices into the kitchen for everyday use!

This summer I decided that after every wearing of an item of clothing I would wash and then temporarily store it in another room. This then forces me to pick something different and not keep wearing the same old favourites. Anything deemed not suitable to wear is either given to charity shop or stored properly (sentimental item). Now my wardrobe has only stuff I actually wear!!

Really enjoying reading all comments. I think it's the "getting older" situation that's spurred me on. We were going through our wills yesterday and it's brought it home to me that my lovely lovely stepson will be the one who has to sort through our stuff. If I'm not enjoying "it", "it" is on it's way. Yes there will always be some clothes for example that I'll keep for the memory (cheesecloth wrap skirt from 70s which no longer wraps round me) evening dress for a cruise. But I have lots of
lovely soft jackets which could be dressed down for everyday wear. I still have as a hangover from working, 2 wardrobes - everyday and best/holidays. Off on a jolly this week but will be coming back ready to start by sorting out the jewellery.

I always wear my diamond stud earrings, and a "good watch" use my "good" handbags. I do not always wear my wedding band and/or engagement ring, not sure why it has just happened over the years? Fortunately Mr.Gravy hasn't taken offence. ( I am also writing a list to go in with my will requesting who should have what items)

I do use the bone china and crystal glasses when there are no GC around as they always clear the table after we have eaten and I do not want to be the "fussy Gran hovering over them".

I wear clothes that are appropriate for what I am doing on the day, somedays it is gym wear, somedays jeans and tops and if we are going out it will be something I feel comfortable in for the occasion/activity.

I have China from my Grandparents and parents which our AC will inherit and they know who it belonged to and will cherish it as I do.

I don’t have any fancy crockery, glasses or the likes. I have one plain white dinner set (mostly matching but some not exact) that I use everyday and have done so for over 20 years, probably longer. No inherited “stuff” in our family with the exception of 5 little etched glass “shot glasses” that were my late grandmas. There were 6 but one was broken when I was a child. Not sure why but they have a special place in my affection and no one else wanted them.

Rosiebee, re your question about earrings, our local charity shop does take them. The clip on ones are not so popular, but others sell well. Good luck.

I use my silverware, china and crystal every day now that I have decided to keep nothing for good. I donated my everyday crockery to charity and started using the “good stuff” a few years ago and I haven’t looked back. No more cupboards stuffed with boxes of unused stuff.
I wear all of those garments that I have bought for special occasions and don’t feel the need to buy something new if I am going to a ‘do’. I am past caring and it is very liberating.
I am going to copy the idea of cataloguing my jewellery for my lovely girls. It won’t take long.

For those who interpret my post their own way - I do not own silverware, bone china or crystal anything.

And I have lots of 'posh' clothes that I don't wear any more, but can't bear to get rid of. Lovely, floaty, dresses. Sparkly tops. Glamorous clothes that wouldn't even fit me now! But they hold so many happy memories for me.

Another kick up the bum please!

When my sister died she left all her jewellery in such a muddle! Real, good, stuff thrown in with junk stuff - and all over the house - such a nightmare to sort out! And some valuable items, which I know she owned, we never even found. (eg. She wanted her goddaughter to have her pearls - we found the necklace, but not the earrings. Such a shame ...)

I determined then to 'catalogue' mine. Precious from paste! ('Cos my two daughters won't know the difference!) I started photographing all my 'good' stuff, and made a log, with the history of certain items, and who I would like to have it when I pop my clogs. It's turned into a momentous task! I don't have lots of very expensive jewellery, but quite a few bits and pieces that are gold or silver - and junk jewellery is so good now, that you wouldn't necessarily know the difference. (And I have loads of junk!!! I could open a shop!)

This 'log' of my 'precious' jewellery is something that I do spasmodically, then forget for months, but I didn't realise quite how long it was taking me, until ...

Talking to my son-in-law ... Me: 'Oh, I have lots to do - I must get on with my 'jewellery log!' SIL: 'You've been doing that since I first knew you!'

Um ... My daughter and he first met TWELVE years ago!

Will someone kindly give me a kick up the bum, please?

I don't have anything of value and tend to buy inexpensive clothes that I like. However I still keep certain things for special occasions when I feel really good in them. Last week I put on a pair of sandals and they disintegrated on my feet. I only bought them about 14 years ago, I think from somewhere like Shoe Express. I'll never find another pair like that!!!!

By the way my best (full set) of wine glasses came from tokens years ago in Iceland and they usually only come out at Christmas. I drink everything from a recycled Nutella glass which is stable and comfortable to hold. Actually have a sherry in it at the moment!!