Christmas: Use paper or real plates?

KimDW

Cathlete
We do Christmas with my DH family on Christmas Eve. This year we're having it at our house. There will be 6 people. I'm trying to decide if I should use real plates etc... or get Christmas paper plates and napkins. I have a real pretty pfaltzcraft design called French Quarter that I don't use that often. I'm not doing a big meal. Most of my stuff will be made the night before so I won't have too much cleanup anyway. Here's what I'm fixing.

Chicken club ring -it's a pampered chef recipe(ground chicken mixed with shredded cheese, onion, mayo, & bacon wrapped in crescent rolls and cooked on a pizza stone)
Pasta Salad
Deviled Eggs or maybe a fruit platter
Meatballs (in the crockpot)
Cheeseball & crackers
MIL and SIL bringing desserts

What are your opinions?

Kim
 
I say go for real plates. Unless you're having dozens of people, I always this it's so much nicer to have real dinnerware.
 
It's Christmas, get festive. I would use the pfaltzcraff! ( I have the Summer Breeze pattern myself!) The occasion comes once a year, and six people is not alot to deal with any clean up. I would use the stoneware and get pretty xmas paper napkins. jmo.
 
Real plates. Paper plates are a waste of natural resources. (Unless you get some recycled paper plates, and compost them when you're done. But they aren't very festive looking.)

Another option: reusable plastic plates.
 
Oh use the good stuff. Mine is the reindeer collection from Pottery Barn and I get the luxury of being Vixen every year. LOL. Have fun with it!

Lorrie

Pain is temporary - quitting lasts forever
Candace Grasso, CC-V-6
 
Thanks!!! I'll use the real ones. We don't have people over very often and I really enjoy getting ready for a get together when we do. I love to plan stuff.

Kim
Happy Holidays!!!
 
I'm with the others on this. It's only six people - real plates. What's the point of having them if you never use them, right!?!?
Plus, like the previous poster said, paper plates are a waste of natural resources. Honestly, I would never use disposables unless it was a picnic or a children's party or something. It just looks kind of tacky (and a little lazy with a small group). Enjoy the Pfaltzgraff!!
 
Not only that, but part of the fun is cleaning up after. I always really enjoy the time I spend w/my cousins & sister in the kitchen chattering away over dirty plates & half filled tupperware. :)
 
Excellent point LauraMax! And true, too. Even if you're alone, if the party was successful, it's a nice quiet time to reflect.
 
I love to make holiday's special by pulling out the "good" plates, special wine glasses, shine the silver, cloth napkins....the whole bit. I remember my mom doing it every year, and I have wonderful memories from it. As long as you try to be organized with your preperations and stay on top of the kitchen as you go, it can be manageable.

Heather
 
Another vote for the real plates! My in-laws have lovely china and they never use it. they always pull out either the old, chipped up everyday dishes or paper plates, and there isn't anything about a holiday dinner at their house that feels special or festive.
 
I just love using my china and stemware:)
I didn't spend a fortune on my set so I wouldn't be afraid to use them. I use them as long as my dinner party is under 12 people- because that is all the place settings I have!

I spend a lot of time on my centerpiece. Lots and lots of candles!!!
 
Real stuff. I have (last count) 14 coming for Christmas and I am pulling out the Christmas dishes. Well, DH will be pulling it out from the back of the closet in the basement where it resides. But I have to go purchase more stemware as the DS have broken a few while putting away dishes.
 

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