Stopping saving things for best

So sad, Paddyann.......

Pantglas1......?I was hoping this was a dress rehearsal!
Then I may get the real thing done right next time around.

I have never kept things for best...ever since I had to clear out my Grandma’s house a lot of years ago.She had so very little, and yet I found nearly all the nice things I had bought for her
Safely folded up and stored to use for best.Except they hadn’t been used at all.They were all things that she had wanted and needed.
Use things now, save nothing for best!

I prefer to use everything all the time as appropriate, even using beautiful linen napkins at breakfast for myself. I'm worth the effort

Why is this worthy of note? And what effort?
We have always used napkins and napkin rings, nothing special about that.
And yes, they are linen. And the napkin rings are silver.
As for using silver/crystal/good china- nothing exceptional there either!
The point of all of this is not keeping things for “best” - not whether or not we use/wear nice things!

Sad story Paddyann and good advice.

I doubt whether wine knows the cost of the glass into which it is poured and 10-1, neither would a blindfolded drinker.
I'm not pretentious. I like what I like but it's a far cry from corner cupboards stuffed with inherited bone china, crystal glasses and drawers groaning with canteens of silverware.
At least they can be sold when the AC inherit, unless they like that sort of thing.
My AC would use everything I own as I inherited nothing and my tastes are for the 'trends of the day', so to speak.
I fail to see the point of owning crockery, glass and silverware which only sees the light of day when other people visit.
I prefer to use everything all the time as appropriate, even using beautiful linen napkins at breakfast for myself. I'm worth the effort.

bikergran yes you must put them on the bed. I can't believe you kept them all this time.

A colleague told me years ago that his mother had 'best' china and linens. She died young and his step mother used his mother's best china for everyday use. He never forgot that and neither have I.

The only items I don't use are a Susie Cooper coffee set. I would be distressed if they got broken, so they sit on a shelf.

I only have costume jewellery and cheap clothes so no probs for me. The only stuff not worn is that which is out of season. Dont hav3 posh china either. My mother has a houseful of lovely linen and clothes she will never wear. Im not looking forward to inheriting it

Well! not jewelry or clothes but a duvet cover lol.

about 3 yrs ago I decided to re decorate my bedroom, I hadn't much funds, but there was a sale on at Dunelm 50% off some curtains /duvet cover/pillow shams etc.

I bought the full set, the curtains were put up (still are) but the Duvet cover/pillow shams Im saving for " best" lol.

But after reading this, they are coming out this next week

Rosiebee

Thank you such a lovely posting. Also thank you everyone else for your comments. Some very touching ones.

We have a corner cupboard full of incomplete sets of cut glass sherry, brandy, cocktail, wine and whisky glasses. Lots inherited from my grandparents, via my mum and dad, from my parents, parents in law and our engagement and wedding presents. We use more modern (but fairly expensive) glasses that we keep in the kitchen.

Some of the cut glass is beautiful but I have no idea what to do with it as the children wont want it. We also have 3 decanter- what to do with those?

What a lovely post that we recognise that this life is not a dress rehearsal.

I have friends who comment on my silver cutlery, crystal glasses and bone china and I tell them that my mam never got to use them as she died when I was a child - let’s enjoy things now in case there is no tomorrow!

I learned a long time ago that things are bought to enjoy.My friend had a holiday booked for her wee family and had bought loads of lovely things for her 6 year old to wear.The wee girl was so excited but nagged her mum every day to wear some of the nice new clothes.10 days before the holiday she hasd a dental appointment where thedentsit thought there may be some health issue and sent her to A and E.she was diagnosed with leukeamia and died before the holiday should have started.I was expecting my daughter who was born just 2 months later.We NEVER kept things for good.She wore things the day we bought them if she wanted to .Lifes too short to stockpile all your nice things ,enjoy them now .

Yes I follow gillybob in being a style icon.
People should enjoy what they have, wherever they are in life and squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of each day. I’m sure there are many beautiful and elegant Gransnetters on here and good luck and happiness to you all , along with those of us who don’t give a flying duck about appearances. Each to their own

I think that some people just exude style and could wear almost anything and look amazing . It doesn’t matter what I wear I always look like a “bag of slack”

I don't need jewellery to look good nor do I keep any clothes for 'best' - that idea went out with the ark
Nobody needs jewellery/high end designer clothes or expensive fabrics to look good. Some women would look stunning in a bin bag (usually younger ones) but what is wrong with enjoying objects of beauty?
But you enjoy being patronising again - however I am glad to see your entire wardrobe does not come from Primark.

I rarely wear earrings and never wear any other jewellery.

I don't need jewellery to look good nor do I keep any clothes for 'best' - that idea went out with the ark.

I wear the items most appropriate for the occasion regardless of cost so it might be Primark, M&S, H&M, black raw silk Versace tuxedo trousers or my fav pencil skirt from VB.
I buy what I love regardless of label.
I'm a shopaholic. ???

sodapop how sad. When my paternal grandmother died it was a very similar situation. Drawers and cupboards full of beautiful linen, china, jewellery all still in its original packaging.

Callistemon We have lovely crystal glasses too but I use ones I bought in Wilkos unless we have visitors, because they go in the dishwasher I have a feeling this is why there are so many in charity shops, people don't want to wash them by hand. And to be honest, we don't use the wine glasses from the set as often as the tumblers for that very reason. I never had a dishwasher until after all the kids had left home, and it has made me extremely lazy about washing up by hand.

Yes I agree, wear it, use it enjoy it.
When my mother died many years ago now I found all wrapped up in tissue paper the presents I bought her. Nighties, cardigans, jewellery all unused, such a shame.

I often have a cup of tea from my Mum's wedding china. It is beautiful and very delicate but no one will want it when I'm gone so I like to have that connection with Mum now and then. Also the tea tastes lovely!

I prefer to use my good crockery etc.
I see no point in keeping things in cupboards for years. I don't use my best cutlery though.
I am trying to wear all my clothes more - a bit difficult when you don't go out much.
And if things get worn looking I get the pleasure of buying something new.
I'm a bit fed up of not needing new things!

I do wear jewellery . Earings every day ( don’t feel right without them) always wear a necklace when I go to work. Have some expensive jewellery and lots of costume stuff.

I do have some lovely china and glass that doesn’t get used often but love using it when we are all together ( birthdays Christmas etc) when the Royal Albert China comes out and the best wine glasses. Maybe should try and use them even more often. I do think tea tastes better from bone China but don’t think to use it all the time. Silly isn’t it you can’t take it with you!

I have no jewellery of any value . I wear a wedding ring and a silver necklace at best .

I do have a couple of dresses and jackets that I “ keep for best” . Why on earth ? I don’t know, as I never go anywhere to dress up . I wear the same black trousers and white shirts 5 days a week for work and tend to slob in jeans /cutoffs and tee shirts at the weekend .