🍴The Secret to Keeping Your Silver Ready for Every Gathering

I have a philosophy about the “good stuff” in our homes: Use it.

Use the good dishes. Pull out the pretty glasses. Light the candles you’ve been saving. And yes… use the silver.

TBT… I have THREE sets of silver flatware. One belonged to my grandmother, one came from my parents, and the third belonged to my in-laws.

When the time came to decide what to do with them, no one else wanted the sets—and I just couldn’t bear to get rid of them. There were too many memories attached to them. Too much family history. So I kept all three.

And yes, I use them all when I entertain. Do they match? Nope. Do I care? Not even a little bit.

I love mixing them together around my table. There’s something about knowing that pieces from both sides of our family are still being used to bring people together that makes my heart happy. ❤️

And really, isn’t that what these beautiful things were meant for?

So many of us have silver flatware or serving pieces tucked away because they feel too special for an ordinary dinner. Maybe they were a wedding gift. Maybe they belonged to your parents or grandparents. Maybe you found something beautiful at an antique shop and couldn’t resist it.

And then we save it. For what, exactly? If we’re gathering people we love around our table, I’d say that’s special enough.

And here’s something I learned that makes me want to use mine even more: silver that is used regularly can actually tarnish less than silver that is saved for special occasions.

Well, there’s my excuse. 😉

Why Does Silver Tarnish?

Tarnish doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It’s a natural reaction that happens when silver comes in contact with elements in its environment.

Humidity, perfume, lotion and even certain foods can contribute to tarnishing. Eggs, onions, garlic, salt, spinach and fruit juices can be particularly hard on silver.

Which, unfortunately, sounds like the ingredient list for half of my dinner parties. 😂

That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop using my silver. It just means I’m going to take care of it afterward.

The Most Important Thing to Do After Dinner

When the last guest has gone home and you’re tackling the aftermath, don’t leave your silver sitting in the sink until morning. Wash it promptly by hand and dry it right away. Use a mild dish soap and a soft cloth, and don’t leave silver soaking or allow it to air dry. And as much as I LOVE a shortcut, this is one place where I wouldn’t take one: Keep the silver out of the dishwasher.

The heat, detergent and potential contact with other metals can damage it. Yes, it means a few extra minutes at the sink. But I’d much rather spend a few minutes caring for something I love than keep it packed away in a box because I’m afraid to use it.

When It’s Time to Polish

Even silver that’s well cared for will eventually need a little polishing. The key word here is gentle.

Polishing actually removes the tarnished surface layer, so more scrubbing is definitely not better. Harsh chemicals and abrasive products can cause damage. Use something intended specifically for silver and follow the directions carefully.

And if you have a piece that is particularly old, valuable, intricate or sentimental and you’re not sure what to do with it, that’s when I’d leave it to a professional.

But My Favorite Silver-Care Tip?

USE IT. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving. Don’t wait for Christmas. And definitely don’t wait until you’re hosting some perfectly planned, fancy dinner party.

Set the table for four on a random Saturday night and use Grandma’s silver. Put nuts in the pretty silver bowl. Use the silver tray for cocktails. Serve dessert with the good forks. And if you have three different patterns like I do? Mix them up and set the table anyway. The people sitting around your table aren’t going to care that the forks don’t match.

But someday, someone might remember that the fork they were using belonged to your grandmother. And THAT is what makes a table special.

Beautiful things don’t make a gathering meaningful. The people do. And surrounding those people with things that hold stories, memories and a little piece of the people who came before us? I think that makes gathering even sweeter.

So open the drawer. Take out the silver. Invite some people over. Use the good stuff. ❤️

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Cheers,
Colleen 🥂