Serving Shabbos/Yomtov on dishes and flatwear

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48145

Even "Before Dishwasher", I used to serve (at least the fish course) on Shabbos and Yomtov on china and silver(plated) flatwear; am I the only one?

Does EVERYONE use disposable paper goods now?

Nope! I love setting my table with my Shabbos dishes and cutlery and took great pride in picking them out.
My dishes were bought with wedding gift money that was given with the specification to be used to buy something for the shabbos table and my cutlery was a first anniversary present from DH. Now I just need glasses (got a set of 6 as a wedding prez) but I'll probably buy cheap and they break the quickest.
In the summer I actually enjoy washing dishes and in the winter - well it's a small price to pay for having a nice looking table.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 03 2006 Posts: 4473

My mother is not into using plastic on yontif and shabbos. So I always use my best china and flatware to make the shabbos table beautiful. Whens a better time to use them if not on shabbos or yontif. Until I got a dishwasher a few months ago I would spend hours on motzei shabbos washing the dishes - wasn't fun.
(unless you are having a crazy amount of guests - let's not make ourselves crazy now).

Moderator Joined: Dec 26 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 11430

I use paper and plastic.

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 30 2004 Posts: 3194

In my mothers house thier was never paper and plastic on the shabbos or yom tov table, not even plastic table clothes. In my house it is the same I got beautiful flatware and china and crystal why not use it? I used to wash motzei shabbos for an hour, but now Bh I have a dishwasher

Executive Member Joined: Aug 27 2004 Posts: 265

plastic & glass cups & real cutlery
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Diamond Member Joined: Oct 12 2004 Posts: 3566

I started using (clear) plastic plates and cups this past Rosh Hashana/Succos when I was late in my pregnancy. I was having guests for most meals and I didnt want to spend the whole yom tov standing at the sink.
Well, once I started it is hard to stop.
When I went back to work after I had the baby, I was working on motzei shabbos. So what I did then and basically do now is use real for Friday night (when I usually don't have guests) and if I have guests shabbos day, I use the plastic. I really should get back into using real all the time though. I don't usually have that many guests at a time.
Anyway I have plain white Corel for shabbos, so the clear plastic isn't that much less elegant.
I always use regulary cutlery - can't imagine eating with plastic.

Diamond Member Joined: Oct 24 2005 Posts: 4689

count me in for real dishes and flatware unless we are having more people than we have dishes for. I am slightly tinged green and in general use disposables only when absolutely necessary. that's me in the shul kitchen after the annual dinner, salvaging the "disposable" foil pans and coleslaw containers. (I still haven't figured out what to do with the one-gallon mustard jar salvaged from the dinner three years ago--but I had the giant coleslaw container for years till it finally cracked Laughing

)

however, I don't even own any china or silver --color me stainless and Corelle all the way.

Silver Member Joined: Jun 15 2006 Posts: 893

I do not have china but I have Corelle, and yes I use that on shabbos and yom tov without a dishwasher. I think it adds a lot to the table and to the shabbos I do use plastic for the little one.

I used to use paper when we didn't have company & china for company. Usually just fam fri night & guests for lunch. Then the kids asked to use dishes,kavod shabbos, how can you say no to that?They will wash fri night .Motzei shabbos I have the dishwasher.

Silver Member Joined: Mar 17 2006 Posts: 535

I wish I had nice dishes and glasses! I would love to have a nice shabbos table. But I guess for now, its plastic cups and plates for us!

Moderator Joined: Dec 26 2005 Age: 33 Posts: 11430

I just can't stand doing the dishes. Maybe someday when I get a dishwasher I'll start using real plates and flatware and all those nice salad bowls. Until then it's fancy paper plates!

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48145

I would keep a shissel of hot water and soap ready from before Shabbos. Cleanup was easy, if it's only plates from the fish course.

Paper and plastic cost money, Preggymama.

Platinum Member Joined: Jun 09 2005 Posts: 11840

Posted: Wed, Jul 05 2006, 5:03 pm Post subject:

I think Mikasa had a big sale yesterday. Well too late now but they do sometimes have great sales.
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Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48145

Crayon, it's not a value judgement, just a suggestion.

To be perfectly honest, the hot water and soap to wash up cost something, too.

I have never used paper for shabbos. only the best for shabbos. I have to say though that I love to wash dishes, so thats not a problem for me. after each cource I bring the dishes in and either wash them for the next day if Im having more guests, or spray off and dump in the washer. most people dont like washing, so it becomes an issue. my mother hated washing dishes, and I love it, dont know why though lol
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Yonason Matisyahu- 6/3/09
Adara Raizel- 3/3/11
k'h

Silver Member Joined: Mar 17 2006 Posts: 535

well in response to that, I can say what we have. we have a look alike lenox set, that comes with everything. we got it for $100 on one of these bargain sites, and 2 cups came broken, and they gave all the money back to us. so officially we didnt spend a dime on it. Im thinking to expand to another set, and this time get something thats a little better quality.