Thanksgiving dinner: China or Chinette?

[AnnE-girl]

We're hosting Thanksgiving, and I still haven't decided which plates to use. I have enough China for the eleven adults and can use my white everyday dishes for the 12 kids, but my China doesn't really go with thanksgiving decorations. It has pale blue and pink flowers, so it looks weird with fall table linens. I also don't put it in the dishwasher, although it's supposed to be dishwasher safe.

 

Do I save the work of washing and match the colors of the season better and just get nice paper plates, or use the China because it's a special day, and that's why we have good dishes?

[regentrude]

China. I strongly dislike eating from paper plates. It is not festive, they have a taste, generate a mountain of trash. If not even thanksgiving is worth using real dishes, why have any. I'd much rather forgo the fall themed linen.

Edited November 21, 2016 by regentrude

[happi duck]

China. I strongly dislike eating from paper plates. It is not festive, they have a taste, generate a mountain of trash. If not even thanksgiving is worth using real dishes, why have any. I'd much rather forgo the fall themed linen.

Ita!

[HomeAgain]

We don't have china (we opted for white dishes on clearance), but I'd go with real plates.  Mostly because certain textures drive me nuts and forks on paper plates is one of them.  Nobody would fault you for using paper, though.

[happi duck]

Is everyone at the same table?

 

If two tables, I'd use the white with the fall linens and then do something different for the kids table with the china.

 

You could play up the pale blue and do a more wintery theme.

 

.

Edited November 21, 2016 by happi duck

[Pawz4me]

We'll be using Chinette. But we're having a country themed Thanksgiving and will be eating in a barn. ;)

[Guest]

I vote Chinette. If I want to be fancy with Thanksgiving,  I buy the disposable plastic plates that look real. I have enough to deal with on Thanksgiving to worry about a mountain of dishes afterwards. I would like to enjoy some of the day too you know?  We also lost some of our silverware previously by people throwing it away mistakenly. So I have designated holiday flatware that isn't expensive and wont' make me cry if it disappears. I also will admit I have germaphobe issues and the thought of touching a mound of other peoples' dirty dishes makes me want to wretch. So I'm possibly in the minority, but I don't hesitate to pull out the disposables for Thanksgiving. It's my holiday too! 

[J-rap]

How about your white everyday dishes for the adults, so that it'll match your table decorations.  Then Chinette for the kids.

[marbel]

If you really don't think you can use the china, use the white everyday dishes for the adults and get paper for the kids.  At least you're not using as much paper.  Honestly, a festive celebration feels so much less festive to me when it's all paper.  I know sometimes it's unavoidable - I use small paper plates and napkins myself when I have cocktail parties - but for a nice sit down dinner, use the real stuff if you can.  

[Guest]

Paper plates if it is casual, normal dishes if it is formal.

[Artichoke]

We always use china.  Our dishwasher has a china setting so we only hand wash the silver. 

[gardenmom5]

I'd rather china (iow; a real dish) that had a different pattern than what is essentially a heavy duty paper plate.

if using a paper plate - what would you use for flatware and drinkware?

 

 

[KungFuPanda]

Use the real plates and put them in the dishwasher. Just set it to air dry if your worried, but a once-twice yearly run through the dishwasher won't hurt dishwasher safe china. If you won't use them for Thanksgiving, then when IS a good time? Put a white pumpkin on the table as a matching fall centerpiece and call it good. I'd MUCH rather eat from real plates than have things match.

 

I don't even get paper plates if you have a dishwasher. Disposable pans I understand, but plates are easy and take up very little dishwasher space

[PrairieSong]

I would definitely use real dishes. Get a few people to help with the dishwashing.

 

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[Selkie]

I would vote Chinette, since it will make your day easier!  I guess I'm in the minority, but I don't care what kind of plate I'm using as long as the food is good.  :001_smile:

[RoughCollie]

We are using Chinette because we no longer have a dining room (it is now a combo room, no table/chairs any more). So I am not messing with china or with most of the cleaning up afterward. This gives us the suitable casualness of the dinner, plus I don't have to worry about the family breaking or chipping my good china or putting it in the dishwasher. Plus we aren't having guests.

[Ausmumof3]

It depends. If you are all seated round a table I'd go China but if it's chairs around the room I'd go good quality disposable. I really like the palm leaf ones, they feel nicer than plastic to me and go in the compost.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Ausmumof3

[bibiche]

We use china for regular old during the week meals, so I guess you know my answer. :)

I personally very much dislike eating from paper plates.

Also, one of the fun things about Thanksgiving is when everyone joins in to help with the dishes. I have good memories of time spent in the kitchen with my aunts (no uncles) and cousins.

[Chris in VA]

ITA with using white for the adults and chinette for the kids in your case. 

We use our china for Christmas, TG and Easter. This year, I have more family coming than usual for Christmas. I don't know if I have enough! So your question is timely for me. :-)

[Guest]

I'd go with Chinette.

[Crimson Wife]

I would get biodegradable plastic plates for that many. Easy cleanup and since they're biodegradable, no guilt. :D

[theelfqueen]

I am neurotic about people in my kitchen. Less dishes means less people trying to "help"... I have enough dishes between my China and my everyday for everyone but I bought the plastic that looks like dishes (thanks Costco) ... same for flatware.

 

 

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[Loowit]

DH and I had a big debate over this one.  He is huge on using real plates while I grew up with paper.  I wanted to get some cute paper plates with turkeys this year, but DH vetoed it, so he gets to help with the dish washing.

[theelfqueen]

Plus I grew up with an Uncle who ran a Solo cup factory so paper is pretty normal in my family

 

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[Seasider]

#teamrealdish

[HappyCrazyMama]

I like holidays fancied up and I don't get that feel from paper plates. The compromise of the white plates to match the linens for the adults and then using Chinette for the kids is my favorite suggestion. 

Edited November 22, 2016 by HappyCrazyMama

[AnnE-girl]

China it is. It's the first holiday we are hosting in our new home, and my China has lived in storage for the last six years since our old house was too small. I've been waiting a long time to have a beautifully set table for my whole family. I'll do more fall colors at the kids' table with the white plates.

[KatieJ]

Pinterest has lots of thanksgiving blue tables. Maybe something there will inspire you.

White pumpkins get my vote .

[bettyandbob]

Why bother having china if you don't use it.

[rocassie]

I love real plates, but would not look down on anyone that chooses to use disposable.  There are two factors I use to determine whether to use disposable.  First, would the food make disposable plates messy to use.  Second, what is the purpose of these beautiful plates if I don't ever use them.  Granted I may use them for intimate family functions so large family functions I'm totally willing to break out the easy clean up disposable platewear.  For me, matching isn't as important as actually using something I have.  If I don't use a special occasion item(s) at least once a year (for the exception of my funeral attire) I get rid of it.  I do not have china specifically for this reason.  I don't wish to have something just to collect dust.

 

To each their own though.  Disposable platewear is what it is.  If it's important to have easy cleanup then go for it, but if the china just sits there every year waiting for that special occasion that never happens, break it out and ask for cleanup help.  Enlist your DH or kids (or really anyone that would be receptive) to take care of clean up for you since your made (or orchestrated) the meal.

[DawnM]

If the host family we go to for Thanksgiving would use paper plates, I would be THRILLED!  In their house, the WOMEN do all the cooking and cleaning, and I hate it.  In my house, we all do the work.   So, if we could just toss, I would love it.