Everything You Needed to Know About Fine China Dinnerware

There is tons of variety when it comes to fine china dinnerware, whether it’s the design, the pattern, the brand or the materials. With all this variety comes a lot of terminology. It’s wedding season which means people are going to be buying a lot of fine china dinnerware and hostess sets. If you’re looking for the perfect dinnerware set, here is some information on how to distinguish bone china from stoneware:

•    Bone china- the strongest of the fine china materials. Is lightweight, dainty, and gleams in light. Bone china is a double-fired combination of porcelain and bone ash. It is semi-opaque and has a pearlescent quality about it.
•    Porcelain- Often confused with bone china, porcelain is luxurious, lustrous, and has an impermeable finish.
•    Ironstone- This fine material is created as a slightly more durable alternative to porcelain. It is less formal and suitable for formal and informal events.
•    Earthenware- One of the most popular materials, earthenware is slightly heavier than the other materials and has a simple appearance that makes it perfect for daily use.
•    Stoneware- This heavyweight, non-porous material is also perfect for everyday use. It can withstand years of use and when taken care of can last for years to come.

3 Unique Styles of Gorham Silverware

Gorham knows a thing or two about fine silverware; they’ve been at it since 1831! The Gorham line got its start when Jabez Gorham began making coin silver spoons to respond to demand throughout New England.

Gorham’s dedication to unrivaled quality that you can only get through old world craftsmanship shines in each and every piece of Gorham silverware that has been produced over the last 170 years.

The Gorham line features some really gorgeous flatware designs, and if you’re buying gifts for bridal shower or weddings, you can be sure that your gift will be well-received. Here are three Gorham silverware styles that are sure to please even the pickiest bride-to-be:

Blossom by Gorham 65 Piece Set

The Blossom designs are akin to a more classic, simple style playing on the Gorham's original designs.

Golden Criteria by Gorham 45 Piece Set 

The Golden Criteria design is clean and simple and the subtle gold edging as a bit of style, without being over-the-top.

Marabella by Gorham 65 Piece Set

Marabella's design is sleek, deco, and contemporary. The square handles really add a modern touch to traditionally beautiful flatware style. 

Gifts for Bridal Shower

My little sister is getting married in December. Odd time of the year to get married, but she kept pushing the date back to accommodate everyone’s schedule. I told her to have it anytime she wanted, and to forget about all of the other people, but she’s very proper about these sorts of things.

When I was placed in charge of her bridal shower, I knew that gifts for bridal shower would be a hot topic among all of our family. Since I had first dibs, I decided to get her something that she would really appreciate, something classy and elegant. I decided to go in with my mom on some fine china dinnerware. Mom bought the plates, and I bought the Gorham silverware.

Well, we had the shower last week. I was impressed with all of the gifts for bridal shower that people bought – there were some really nice things! But I have to say, none were as nice as the Gorham silverware and fine china dinnerware that Mom and I bought Mel. She loved our gift the best, and not just because of the family ties. Of course they were nice presents, but the real reason she liked them is because it matched her character. So if you have an upcoming bridal shower, buy something that fits the bride to be.

Weddings and Gifts

Weddings are a celebratory ritual that allow for the coming together of friends, families, and strangers. Flowers, dancing, food, drink – a wedding is a cause for happiness that few other events in life can equal. The spring and summer are especially popular times to celebrate the union of two individuals. Purity, sanctity, and promise are all virtues that are upheld and honored during this time.

If you are attending a wedding soon, you want to provide the lucky couple with a gift that reflects the seriousness of their decision to come together. Fine china dinnerware or hostess sets make fine gifts for bridal shower too.

These presents, since they are of high quality, will be used by the couple for years. Ideally, even as they age into their golden years, they will remember who gave them such a gift. Wouldn’t you like for your present to be remembered and appreciated until death do you part?

Fine china dinnerware and Reed and Barton silverware make excellent gifts for bridal shower or the wedding celebration. If you are thinking about what to get the couple whose wedding you’re attending, think about giving a true impression of friendship with a lasting present of quality.

The Dinner Party Moment

There’s a certain feeling one gets when at a nice dinner party.

You walk in to the ornate dining room, and the long maple table shimmers in spots where Gorham silverware and fine china dinnerware aren’t covering it. The table is set for at least ten, and hot plates are already in position, awaiting the arrival of food. On top of the placemats are gold chargers and on top of those, sit the fine china dinnerware and red folded napkins, ringed. Each napkin ring is different, some have diagonal stripes, others have small silver stamped designs, but none look out of place; in fact, it seems as though they all came in the same set. The chandelier dangles and light refracts through the crystal while below it the flames of the two high candles jump and flicker. Two forks, two spoons, two glasses; it seems like everything comes in pairs. The china cabinet that holds all of this fine china dinnerware when it’s not in use sits at one end of the room, and you can see into the living room down through the hallway with the baby grand piano and large light brown leather couches.

As everyone sits at their places, you wait for the hostess to be seated. She lifts her Gorham silverware fork and with that, everyone begins to eat.

Hostess Sets Resonate Love

The springtime is a very popular time for weddings, and you know what that means. Gifts for bridal shower time. You’re probably poring over your registry, trying to decide what to get and how much to spend. It can be stressful because you want to get something that is meaningful and not just tossed onto a heap of wedding gifts. There are so many companies out there that claim to have quality hostess sets but sell cheap stuff, or overprice the hostess sets that are quality. If you want to make the process easier, visit www.SilverSpoonStore.com to do your shopping.

If you’re looking for fine china dinnerware, you’ve come to the right place. We have Gorham silverware, Reed and Barton silverware, hostess sets and tons of other gifts for bridal shower. This fine china dinnerware is the perfect wedding gift because it is high quality and will last for years of dinner parties. Reed and Barton silverware is some of the finest in the world – in the Francis I collection, each individual piece has a different floral or fruit arrangement and is made from sterling silver.

These hostess sets will delight your bride because they are high quality; the kind of silverware that is passed down for generations and is not meant for everyday use, but for those special occasions, like when you come over for dinner.

Hostess Sets, Serving Sets, Entertainment Sets…What’s the Difference?

In the world of fine china dinnerware and flatware, there are many terms thrown about. These terms can be pretty mind-boggling if you have no experience with formal dining and the items that you use during such a dinner. Admittedly, there are a lot of things that look identical, but have completely different functions. Three things that often get confused in the world of formal dining are hostess sets, serving sets, and entertainment sets.  Hopefully this blog post will help shed some light on the differences between these three similar sets.

Hostess sets:                  

Hostess sets typically include a tablespoon, a pierced tablespoon, a sugar spoon and a butter serving knife.

Serving Set:

Serving sets are generally composed of a cold meat fork, a gravy ladle and a tablespoon.

Entertainment Set:

An entertainment set usually is a large serving spoon, a large serving fork, and a pastry server.




For the best selection of hostess sets, serving sets, entertainment sets and more, be sure to visit www.silverspoonstore.com.