<p>I need to purchase a shower gift and am going to get the couple a set of every day dinnerware. I personally love my Corelle because it’s so light weight and durable, but not sure that would go over so big with the younger generation. Any recommendations for a set that is very durable (chip resistant, microwave, dishwasher and over safe or any combination of the above)? The bride gave me her color preferences, but didn’t know what type of dinnerware would be best, so she’s leaving it up to me. Ugh.</p>
<p>We registered for Fiestaware, which you can get at Macy’s (and probably many other places). It’s very brightly-colored! :D</p>
<p>I love my Fiestaware - if they are foodies - go classic white.</p>
<p>Crate & Barrel has lots of nice contemporary dinnerware. Simple, classic and only moderately expensive. <a href=“http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dinnerware/[/url]”>http://www.crateandbarrel.com/dinnerware/</a> But I’m with you, for the money you just can’t beat Corelle. And they have so many fun patterns now. <a href=“http://www.corelle.com/[/url]”>http://www.corelle.com/</a></p>
<p>Is the Fiestaware pretty durable/chip resistant? Can it go into the microwave? Is it heavy?</p>
<p>Sweet, I looked at Crate and Barrel, but I don’t know which is best – stoneware, earthenware, etc.</p>
<p>Try this: </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Assistance/About/AboutDinnerware.aspx[/url]”>http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Assistance/About/AboutDinnerware.aspx</a></p>
<p>Personally, I would lean toward stoneware or porcelain.</p>
<p>I imagine a young bride would like anything from C & B or Pottery Barn, but you may actually be able to find something “contemporary” from Corelle.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.corelle.com/index.asp?pageId=56[/url]”>http://www.corelle.com/index.asp?pageId=56</a></p>
<p>I love my Corelle because it is lightweight, indestructible and comes in lots of patterns! It looks great long after stoneware would be chipped (in my house, anyway!)</p>
<p>LOL. I keep looking at the Corelle site because I really do love mine; I mean it’s just so practical! Do you think the newlyweds would think Corelle is just for old fogies?</p>
<p>
It’s definitely microwave-safe. It’s pretty solid – it’s not necessarily heavy, as dishware goes, but it’s not lightweight either.</p>
<p>I’ve only had mine for a few weeks, so I don’t know if it’s chip-resistant or durable. After a few weeks, it’s looking great, but I hope that would be true of anything! :)</p>
<p>All the stoneware in my house ends up chipped, but I still like the looks of it better than my Corelle pieces. One thing I don’t like about Corelle is that it explodes when it does break. Whatever you get be careful not to get plates that are too big. Our everyday dinner plates are just a little too big for our current dishwasher.</p>
<p>So how long have this couple been together? and Will they be moving in 1-3 years?</p>
<p>We’ve been together far too long. Paper plates don’t seem to damage the walls any and they don’t hurt. Our community well has problems and we are on a water rationing program…paper plates don’t need to be washed. We moved Xcountry when we were younger, and we looked at the packed car and then at the heavy and bulky dishes. It was either I stayed behind and the dishes went with car or the dishes stayed behind and I get to drive all 3000 miles.</p>
<p>Our daily dishes are still the very-70s stoneware we got for our wedding 29 years ago. We don’t have a full set anymore, but the colors aren’t faded and only a couple of pieces are chipped. Ours are Mikasa. We keeping talking about replacing them but never seem to get around to it. FWIW.</p>
<p>Bunches of pretty paper plates?? ;)</p>
<p>I hate the black scratch marks that silverware eventually makes on my Pfaltzcraft (s?) - and indeed on every stoneware plate I’ve ever owned. They sell a cleaner for it - but it doesn’t work. :(</p>
<p>thisoldman & berurah - LOL. I think you may be on to something. Seems as tho paper would solve numerous potential problems.</p>
<p>mathmom - Are the chips white or does the color go all the way through? After my brother-in-law’s divorce, he bought himself a new set of dishes and they didn’t fit into his kitchen cabinets. Definitely something to consider.</p>
<p>WashDad - I’ll look into the Mikasa – must be pretty durable if you only have a few chips after so many years. Either that or you and WashMom have been very careful with them.</p>
<p>Weenie - I know exactly what you mean about the Pfaltzcraft (sp?). I’ve had it in the past and those black marks look awful. I wonder if that’s a problem with all stoneware?</p>
<p>When we bought our current house, we closed escrow a few weeks before moving in. One day while the kids were at school (prior to moving in), I bought new dishes at Target, ran them through the dishwasher and put them in the cabinet. I just recently discovered my son thought the dishes belonged to the previous owners!</p>
<p>Acinva - Yes, I’ve had that happen to other dishes as well…</p>
<p>Another possibility is Fishs Eddy, in NYC. Really sturdy, inexpensive, industrial-weight (think diner) china. I have a set of the Green Band and I love it. Here’s a link to the dinnerware section of their website:
<a href=“http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,1.html[/url]”>http://www.fishseddy.com/browse.cfm/2,1.html</a></p>
<p>They ship, and they’re great. I bought mine on a trip to NY and had it delivered. A few pieces arrived in pieces, and Fishs Eddy cheerfully sent replacements, no questions asked.</p>