Holiday Party Planning - Step 3: Hostess Glassware and Flatware Sources

This is the third post in my Holiday Party Planning series. In the first post, I discussed how to create a Hostess Journal and in the second post I showed some great places to get your basic Dinnerware and Serving Pieces. Once I finish the inventory on my Dinnerware and Serving Pieces, I start on the Glassware and the Flatware. This section of the pantry is what really caught me off guard last Thanksgiving when I had my first 10+ dinner to plan. I had dishes and serving pieces but I was short on enough goblets and forks to get us from dinner thru dessert.

So let me share some of my favorite places to stock up on Glassware and Flatware for your holiday table!

Glassware

I love pretty glassware and stemware – but let me be perfectly honest with you. I don’t see the point in spending LOTS on something that I know I will inevitably break. I am one of the world’s clumsiest people. Reidel glassware is gorgeous! However, you are looking at a minimum of $15-20 a glass. I would rather spend that on a great sweater at TJ Maxx then on something that I KNOW I would drop and cry buckets over its demise…

So allow me to offer some equally beautiful, fun and affordable glassware.

Need goblets?

Wine glasses?

Both sets are for 12 glasses for only $21.95.

Need more glasses for a cocktail party? Perhaps Margarita Glasses?

Or Martini Glasses?

Both of these sets are from $19.95. All of these great sets are from Crate and Barrel.  (I hope you don’t get sick of my continual obsession with the great deals that Crate and Barrel has on the basics!)

These sets at Target.com are also great basic sets.

Domino Hiball Set of 10 - $14.99

Carrington Glassware 16-pc Set – $19.99

Stonehenge Tumblers 30 pc Set – $24.99

I also recommend checking our your local dollar store to see what they offer in open stock.

And if you want to go retro – I am in love with these!  The Groove Cocktail Glass  (Swoon!) I want to sip some champagne at midnight with these bad boys! At .95 cents a piece I could stock up for quite a soiree! These are also from my dear friends at Crate and Barrel.

Flatware

I want to let you know up front that I will not be featuring any specific flatware collections in this section. The reason is that I have found that many bargain flatware sets feel flimsy and lightweight when you pick them up. And since I can’t pick up what is online, I don’t want to potentially mislead you by showing you a nice looking set that is puny! Therefore, I want to cover what I think are the things to look for in a flatware set and then give you some places where I have found affordable sets with those qualities.

First, you need to decide on what you like based on the following criteria:

• Finish – decide on if you like a polished look or a brushed look

• Decoration – do you want to have an embellished detail on the handle or a smooth finish

• Width and Taper – how think do you want have the handle? Do you prefer a piece that is tapered at the top or do you want something more uniform?

Second, you need to go out and touch some flatware! Seriously – go run your fingers over some forks! Hold it in your hand and see if it speaks to you. This may sound crazy, but I am telling you there is a difference and it is literally tangible! I would go into a nice high-end wedding boutique area (I am thinking Macy’s or someplace similar) and start picking up the flatware so you can feel the weight and substance that some of the pricier options have. Then – you take that feeling and see if you can find it in something more affordable! I have found that JC Penney’s, World Market, Kohl’s, and Target normally have good affordable options. I have even persuaded a sales clerk or two at Homegoods to let me open and “feel up” some packaged flatware.

So tell me about your favorite places to get glassware and flatware.  Do you also think it important to touch your flatware? Or am I just loony? (It could be true – so I won’t immediately rule it out!)

I am linking up with Thrifty Thursdays and Leigh! 

Tomorrow, I am going to be looking at some of the extra things that may make your holiday party planning a breeze!  Don't forget to stop by!