The Nouveau Trousseau

16th November, 2009

Dinner party at my place! Save the Date (for about 5 years)!

While I may not have literally been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, I was raised using them at every holiday and family occasion. Our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all chose at the time of their marriages to have the same silver pattern for all of their flatware and serving pieces, so that they have amassed a large collection of interchangeable silverware. It has long been understood that this collection, along with larger serving pieces, tea service, sets of china, crystal drink ware and bowls, and all manner of heirloom tabletop paraphernalia would one day be bequeathed to Alexandra and myself.

Well, with the help of a Ponzi scheme and a terrible economy, some of our family homes have been downsized slightly sooner than anticipated. This meant that rather than relying on our grandmother’s several lovely cleaning women to polish and store our future silver for us while she continued to use it to lavishly entertain, we would have to pack it up and move it unceremoniously to the basement of our parents home for storage until it was time for us to take possession. When I beheld the wealth of table service items soon to be at my disposal, I got so excited. What little girl wouldn’t love to know that she finally can hold (and use) the pretty crystal stemware, shine her own silver until she can see her reflection, and admire the beautiful china patterns her great-grandparents laid on their table? I was totally ready to pack it all up and ship it to NYC, to start entertaining post-haste.

The one thing holding me back? My apartment right now is slightly less than ideal for hosting dinner parties. I can’t imagine putting eight whole people in it. I actually can’t imagine putting eight of anything in it. I limit myself to four of each plate and glass I own now, never mind having a china pantry! My coffee table works very well for holding my computer, being my makeup station, and setting whatever dinner I’ve come up with for myself on as I watch Gossip Girl, but I’m not sure it has room for myself and half-a-dozen friends. And so, as my glorified dorm room is slightly less than ready for my Nouveau Trousseau, my mother will be the keeper of the goods until I (hopefully) grow up, get married, and find a china cupboard worthy of storing all of it. Oh, and Mom, don’t worry, even when I’m hosting the holidays, you’re more than welcome to cook, clean, and serve as always. I’ll totally help. Maybe.