I have a Royal Doulton set called Minerva that I use everyday. Also a Wedgewood set called Raspberry Cane which is now very dated indeed, 1970s/80s, which is boxed up because I lent it to DD1 when she went to uni but now she has a house of her own and she and her partner don't like it so back it came. I should get rid of it I know, but I still quite like it, I just don't have room to have it out in cupboards since I down sized. Both the above are from the cheaper ranges of their respective manufacturers and happily go in the dishwasher. (At least they went in the dishwasher when I had one! )
I do also have a full set of Royal Doulton Sarabande which won't go in the dishwasher as it has a silver band around the edge. So that sits in the sideboard and never comes out, sadly. It did used to come out at Christmas and Easter and for people's birthdays and whenever we had a "proper" dinner party but the fact that it has to be hand washed was a bit of drag. I thought it was worth it though so did it happily, even though ex H grumbled like anything!
Alas it won't come out this year either as, like last year, I'll be working on Christmas day and certainly won't feel like doing a lot of hand dish washing after dinner and DD2 will be cooking in my absence so not asking her to do it either.
I also have a small set, just four place settings, of Royal Worcestershire Evesham Gold. Which I do use from time to time as it's a bit more robust than the Royal Doulton Sarabande. I love china, I really do.
Kate Garroway-Care at home costs
Is there such a thing as delicious ready meals?