Fine China - is it necessary?

You don't have to add it if you don't want to - of all the things we use in life, fine china is pretty low on the list of a "necessary" household item. We didn't register for fine china either and don't miss it.

It's not necessary if you don't want it. I know you said you don't see yourself having someplace for it in the next five years, but do you see yourself wanting fine china at some point?

If you think it's something you'll want eventually, the next question is do you think it's something you can see yourself buying for yourself if you decided you really want it?

If not, then look around and see if there's a pattern you like and register for it if you do. If you don't think you're ever really going to want it, don't worry about it.

FH and I are technically registered for casual China instead of fine china because we fell in love with a pattern.

Definitely don't add anything you either: a) don't want, or b) don't think you'll use. I agree with PP that if you can imagine yourself using it down the line, maybe add it. I wouldn't ever have a use for fine china, so it would just be a waste of space. And there are some really lovely cheap plates out there! So, I guess my vote is opt out of fine china.

No, no necessary at all. Of course people tell you that.. especially at the shops where there are probably bonuses to sell it

My husband and I KNEW we would never use it and it would never fit our lifestyle. We are not fancy shmancy people. We kept getting told... "But one day you will host Christmas at your houuussse!" etc, etc. I just kept thinking.... well, regular old plates are fine at Christmas for me! Heck, paper plates if a ton of family comes over! lol (kinda kidding, kinda not kidding)

Having plates that we are too afraid to use on a regular basis because they are so expensive and you would never want to break one that you took out just to eat a piece of toast makes NO sense to me.

There is china that is definitely between cheap and $200 a place setting...so I wouldn't use that as your justification? Mine definitely was not that expensive.

You don't have to register for anything you don't want.

I registered for a moderately priced 8 place setting noritake china set. I believe it was around $400 total. You can find china for much, much less as well. I have used it several times for special occasions already, but we have the room. There are lots of things I didn't register for because I didn't want or need it.

I also registered for polish pottery pieces because I collect those. They are actually much more expensive than china, but you know what I mean?

I would just upgrade your current place settings. You can always buy china later.

We're not registering for it and actually do entertain a lot/like fancier *stuff*. I figure that we will either inherit a set from one of our parents/grandparents (there are like 4-5 sets between them), or buy it when we have the space to store it.

I think when people ask you if you're registering for china, it's because they want to get you something more "special" and long-lasting than, say, a blender. Maybe try adding things like a beautiful serving bowl or a pair of crystal glasses for your favorite kind of beverage, if you haven't already, so that sentimentalists have more to choose from!

Related story - a dear family friend gifted us a Waterford crystal champagne glass set with our wedding date engraved (we didnt register for them).

It was SUCH a lovely thought. However.... they were like $200-something just for the 2 of them, and they are in a large heavy black case that is just sitting on a top shelf. I can't imagine when we will every bring them down to use them. If there is a chance to use them, we will probably forget them. I mean.. it was REALLY nice, and they are REALLY lovely, but it just doesnt seem like money well spent.

Not necessary, especially if you live in a small place. I think it's nice to have matching plates for dinner parties, but I don't think it has to be different from your everyday china. I registered for some place settings from a glass company I like.

Don't get it if you don't want it. like you said, it will take up cabinet space and if you aren't going to use it... if you feel like you should get it, a friend of mine and her fh registered for very simple, plain white china that they could use every day, so that is another option. along these same lines, we did not register for silver. i read an article saying that if i didn't feel like polishing it now, i won't feel like it later, so we registered for stainless steel. we also are not getting crystal. $50 a glass seems ridiculous to me and heaven forbid that someone ever broke one - i would probably have a heart attack!

I put a set of regular old plates on mine and called it a day. I will never use a fancy set of china lol. Don't put anything on your registry that will just sit around and take up space.

No fine china is not necessary, although you should consider serving pieces. A matching gravy boat, butter dish, sugar and cream, couple serving plates. You never know when you are older and have family for holidays or have important guest (your or his boss). It dosnt have to cost an arm and a leg to look nice and put together.

My mother collects Avon Cape Cod. She bought little pieces through out her life and now she has a 8 person setting. We only use it on easter and sometimes thanksgiving but it means a lot to her. She loves having a set she can bring out for important events

I picked the china I wanted when I was engaged 43 years ago. But did not put it on a registry, did not get any as wedding gifts. It was my first real splurge for myself 28 years later. Now it's the go to gift for me from hubby and sons and their families. They pick up a piece at a time off ebay and it's a great gift everytime I get a piece. I love that it's still a number one pattern... Royal Doulton's Carlyle. So if you're inclined later in life when you will use it (I use mine at least once or twice monthly) and have space, if it's important to you, you will choose to buy it for yourself. I don't regret waiting at all.

Not necessary. We left it off of ours and only registered for casual dinnerware. Most people never use theirs, my mother's is packed away in the box from their wedding (40 years ago...)

We registered for china and crystal. We also live in an urban setting in a smaller space and it fits in our cabinets just fine. It was actually one of the things I was most excited to register for. My parents china was/is a huge part of our family gatherings (and Sunday brunch, dinner parties, birthdays, etc) and I couldn't imagine not having the same traditions for my family. Our every day china is nice but it's just not what I want to set the table with on Christmas morning.

If you don't want it, don't ask for it! We decided against fine china and I don't regret it. We did as for really nice every day dishes. Maybe when our kids are grown.

We registered yesterday!! The salesman was adamant on me adding fine china. Like others have said, we are not fancy AT ALL. My mom tagged along and she said it just takes up space. Her and my dad have been married 26 years and they have used the china twice. I don't see us ever using it.

Your registry should be what YOU want, not what someone tell you it should be. Pick what you would like and need. No sense in registering for things that you will never use.

Perhaps your parents or grandparents will give you their fine china -- family heirloom.

We got everyday stoneware (service for 16) 28 years ago. I can still get pieces from Replacements.com when we break any. Of course, 1 dinner plate now costs what 1 place setting cost back then!

I'm turning 40 in a few months. I've hosted several Thanksgivings and Christmases. I've never used fine china.

I figure if I haven't needed it in my first 40 years, I probably won't need it in my next 40 years. We didn't register for it either.

Nope. I registered for it and we realized that getting married would not change our lifestyle, china wise, lol! I did cave on the gorgeous crystal though. Every time I use it I break one, so it's not a real storage problem.....