Stopping saving things for best

We have lovely crystal glasses too but I use ones I bought in Wilkos unless we have visitors, because they go in the dishwasher

And clothes which I kept 'for best' but never wear because they seem a bit old-fashioned or not quite right.

That could be my post too calendargirl. I prefer to wear the jewellery that dh has given me but I have other stuff in the safe that I should wear. Also, it's a fag to get it out of the safe.

I don't wear a lot of jewellery, but I do tend to wear the same things each day.

So true. My “best” jewellery sits in the safe most of the time, often because I can’t be bothered to get it out, but also because in my everyday humdrum life I just don’t wear any jewellery! Same with clothes. Today I’ve been to aquacise and swimming, hung washing out, picked tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, sorted out stuff for charity shop which didn’t sell at Saturday’s car boot sale, cooked tea,...... do you get my drift, just don’t need to dress up.???

I feel quite sad when I spot beautiful bone china dinner services in charity shops. No one wants them any more but they've been saved over the years for best. The charity shops are also full of cut crystal glasses, decanters, fruit bowls etc.

Times change but lots of these items are in perfect condition. Such a shame they weren't used often before being discarded.

We have some crystal glasses. Sets were given to us over the years as presents or as leaving gifts. They have a bit of sentimental attachment, but we never use them! We prefer tall glasses with thin stems for our wine.

I have decided (because of this thread) to get out my absolutely beautiful bone china tea set. (I bought it second hand.) It is white with a fine green pattern and gold rims. The cups are a lovely fluted bowl shape and the handles beautifully intricate. I didn't want to get any of it broken so it's moved house with us but been put away in the bottom of the dresser. I really do enjoy drinking tea from them. I last used them over 19 years ago, when my Mum was alive and we made a point of having 'afternoon tea' and laughing because we both stuck our little fingers out when drinking from bone china.

I have a task now for this afternoon....

I've always liked the quote by Erma Bombeck if I had my time again I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.
It applies to so much in our lives, keeping things for special occasions that are never quite special enough. We're using our crystal glasses inherited from my parents, although our sons would love the whisky tumblers if they survive us

I am guilty of not dressing up unless I have to be somewhere special. I'll wear clothes a couple of days running to get 'the wear out of them' rather than choose a different outfit every day.

I have so much to choose from too. I need a cull of clothes. And yes, my jewellery has to be sorted out too. I only have a few valuable pieces and a lovely gold watch I only wear 'for best' but I should wear more than cheap costume jewellery every day. I am worth it! (Mind you, I do like my beads and big necklaces and earrings - most in colours to match favourite 'every day' tops or jackets, etc.)

I think I have always had a fear of appearing “overdressed” yet I can admire a person who is beautifully turned out.
Time to make more effort!

I decided long ago that I would wear my new clothes and not keep anything for "best" . We don't go out much, just for pub meals and with friends, and you don't need to dress in your finery for those. I try to wear all my jewellery on a sort of rotational basis, even the expensive pieces. Why keep things in a box?

Rosiebee, I couldn't agree more with you. Use things now is my motto. When our DM was widowed (overseas) and moved house, my sister & I saw some beautiful china. It had been a wedding gift (twenty years previously) and was supposedly "kept for best." But despite us both having stayed with DM (several times), neither of us had even seen it!

I’ve got quite a collection of crystal glasses.

They are lovely but now we use them. The children won’t want them so if they get broken at least we have enjoyed them.

Excellent intention Rosiebee but it is hard to shake off the habits of our upbringing and keeping things for “best”.
My mum always used to dress smartly for going shopping (à la Janet and John, with her wicker basket over her arm) and once refused point blank to let me accompany her as I was wearing jeans and knee high boots!
I would love to follow your example and will be looking out for you in the veg aisle, we will spot each other easily by the diamond earrings and tiara!

I really need to do this - not with jewellery as I don't wear much but clothes I've bought and put aside 'for best'. We rarely go anywhere that requires best clothes and I find I've grown out of them they've shrunk when I do get them out. The charity shop does well out of me