Family Silver

[laurack]

do you have it? If you do, do you use it?

We recently were given a bunch of silverware (by H's aunt). I don't know how much it's worth but it must be worth something as it's solid silver

I'm curious and was wondering if we should have it valued somehow but H says there's no point because it's not like we are going to sell it. So I suppose, I'm wondering what is the point of it?? We aren't going to use it so it's basically going to sit in a bag in our basement ... it just seems silly! Also am I supposed to be polishing it ? I don't want to. But if I don't will it decrease in value (if it has value)?

do a lot of people have old family silver they don't use? Has anybody had silver ware valued?

Thanks all!

[nannerl]

I'd get it appraised for insurance purposes. If it's plate, it's not as much of an investment, but solid silver? That might be something you need to add to your insurance.

As for care and using, our family silver (and china and crystal) makes appearances at holidays and special occasions. None of the younger generations in our family has their own sets, so our grandmother's and great-grandmother's sets will be passed along. My feelings about it is that I'll hang on to it and use it occasionally, even if it's not really my style. Styles tend to go in and out of vogue, and I'd hate to get rid of my great-grandmothers stuff just because it's not the hip thing right now.

If you store the silver properly, you won't have to polish as much. Depending on the age you may want to do some googling or speak to an antiques dealer for advice.

[Deleted]

My side of the family has no silver, no-one had money back when silver was the thing. My MIL informed me we would be getting her silver set when they pass, it's pretty and nice, I imagine I would use it for holidays I guess?

[sunshineluv]

I have some, it sit in a pretty box, in a cabinet. I think it is valuable, but who really knows? I am too lazy to hand wash stuff, and all holiday meals are at other peoples houses. I have literally never used it. I will pass it down, or if we needed money I would sell it.

[The Foozzler]

I have a set that my grandmother passed down to me. I think it belonged to my great grandma. It is a full service for 18 so it is actually pretty practical. I use it for holidays because we normally have a very large group. I use paper plates for holidays but real silverware. Because I'm fancy like that. I plan to keep it and maybe see if one of my kids (grandkids?) wants it one day. If not, my sister has a matching service for 18 set. I'd see if my niece wanted it. Or else I will sell it when I am really old.

[TrudyCampbell]

Ugh geez my MIL just gifted us this huge beautiful set that I will NEVER USE and I don't even know where we put it. I'll never sell it due to guilt. Guess I'll pass it down to one of the lucky kids, lol

[devonpow]

I have silver flatware for 12 plus serving utensils from DH's grandmother. No large pieces like tea pots etc lol

I keep it in a storage box like this in the dining room: www.potterybarn.com/m/products/flatware-storage-box/?kwid=productads-adid%5e202127935130-device%5em-plaid%5e328117599720-sku%5e8896425-adType%5ePLA&cm_cat=Google&sku=8896425&catalogId=84&cm_ite=%5b%5bPLA%5d%20-%20Neutral%20Mobile%5d&gclid=CjwKCAjwzrrMBRByEiwArXcw2wnvVz7QoGtZ7xWyrjfciD_USHXMGvu1RGicXUFq98UYcP8HKzY6dhoCr0QQAvD_BwE&cm_ven=PLA&cm_pla=Tabletop%20%3e%20Kitchen%20Accessories

I use them maybe once or twice month? I break them out along with our china for holidays and for a monthly breakfast I host for a group of friends.

[imimahoney]

We have a large set from my family in a box like Devon posted. It was the first expensive thing they bought when they immigrated to America!

It's listed on our insurance policy and we use it for holidays like Thanksgiving and Passover.