serving pieces

meganb1977

Any suggestions on whether one of each of the serving pieces for my china pattern should be enough, or if it's good to have more than one platter, vegetable bowl, etc.?  Are there any pieces (other than place settings) that you have, or wish you had, multiples of?  Thanks in advance!

jessicabessica

My grandma, who used to do lots of hosting, recommended getting at least 2 platters and 2 vegetable bowls.  I would think about what other fancier serving pieces you are registering for or might get--crystal bowls, platters, etc.--because you would probably also use those pieces for a formal meal, right?

meganb1977

That's a good thought, I'm not registering for any serving pieces other than my china, I think I'm going to keep it all in that pattern.  Thanks for the suggestion for an extra platter and vegetable bowl!  On second thought, maybe I should wait until after the wedding to get any multiples in case we receive some serving pieces that weren't on our registry.

jessicabessica

I should add that we didn't register for any other serving pieces either.  We received a crystal bowl, a hammered silver salad bowl, a silver serving tray, and a lovely glass platter as off-registry gifts.  So, you never know--especially if you have more traditional guests, you may end up with these fancier serving pieces anyway. 

ElisabethJoanne

If I think about the Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners we just had. Here's the menu:
Turkey/ham
salad
cranberry sauce
stuffing
sweet potatoes
green vegetable
bread/roll/muffin

That would be one serving platter, a salad bowl, two large serving bowls, and two small serving bowls, and a bread basket. [and gravy boat]

Christmas dinner was only 8 people, and it was still easier to have 2 stuffing dishes and 2 gravy boats, rather than constantly passing. Also, my family has allergy issues, so we often have 2 versions of things.

In short, if you're planning on hosting large dinners you cook yourself, you could easily use 2 of each serving dish. For my nicer dinners, I'd want a tray for appetizers, too.

melissaalawrence

I would definitely register for at least two vegetable bowls and platters. you may also want additional salt and pepper shakers, if you have a large table.

gananoque

Remember as well, that on almost all registries, you can make changes and returns after the fact. So if you happen to get a whole bunch of off-registry serving platters, etc., you can always return one from your pattern in exchange for something else you did not receive from your registry.

But do keep in mind that the chances of you receiving off-registry serving pieces is likely high.

In addition to factoring in how much formal hosting you plan to do, factor in storage space. In my kitchen, for example, I wouldn't have anywhere to put any extras. But everyone's situation is different so consider how much room these things are going to take up in your life.

hoffse

My mother has two round serving bowls, 2 oval vegetable serving bowls, and 2 covered vegetable serving bowls and they all get used during the holidays.  She also has a large and small platter - large does white meat and small does dark meat if it's a big bird or large does all the turkey and small does ham or something like that.   I also know a lady who has 2 gravy boats for different kinds of sauces.  Honestly I would make a list of what foods you typically eat during your biggest meals of the year and then assign a bowl or platter to each food.  You don't have to register for it, but if you do and you don't get it you can complete it with the discount.