Category: Entertaining & Hosting

There are nights when I love taking my time in the kitchen. And then there are nights when it’s 5:30, I’m tired, everyone needs to eat, and I am very grateful that I already have some idea of what I’m making for dinner.

After all these years of cooking, I’ve learned something: Getting good food on the table consistently has much less to do with being a great cook—and much more to do with having a system that works for you.

That was at the heart of a recent conversation I had with Leslie Dowling when she invited me to join her for a podcast interview. The title says quite a bit: How to Build a Repeatable Meal Routine Without Losing Your Mind.

And once we started talking, we covered just about everything I love to talk about.

It Starts Long Before 5:30

One of the things I’ve learned from years of cooking is that dinner usually gets easier when I make a few decisions before I’m hungry.

✅ Meal planning.
✅ Shopping intentionally.
✅ Having ingredients in the house that I know I’ll actually use.
✅ Doing a little prep ahead when I can.
✅ And having good kitchen tools that make the job easier.

None of that sounds particularly glamorous. Sorry if you were expecting something life-changing!

What else doesn’t sound glamorous? Staring into the refrigerator at 5:30 hoping a chicken breast, half an onion and some asparagus will suddenly introduce themselves as dinner.

During my conversation with Leslie, we talked about the routines I use to make everyday cooking more manageable—including meal planning, grocery shopping, food prep and choosing ingredients. I even made a quick, nutritious salad along the way. Sometimes the best dinner is the one you can get on the table without making yourself crazy.

Real Food Doesn’t Have to Mean Complicated Food

We also talked quite a bit about something that’s important to me: real food. I like knowing what I’m eating. I read labels. I pay attention to ingredients. I shop seasonally when I can. I love farmers markets and good-quality ingredients.

But I also live in the real world. I use shortcuts. There are things I make from scratch and things I happily buy already prepared. For me, cooking well isn’t about achieving some impossible version of perfection.

It’s about starting with good ingredients most of the time and figuring out the easiest, most delicious way to turn them into dinner. That’s why you’ve heard me talk so often about Easy, Easier and Easiest. There is more than one perfectly good way to get dinner on the table.

And Yes, We Talked About Kitchen Tools

Of course we did! I’ve been with Pampered Chef since 1998, and after all those years, I’m probably more selective about kitchen tools than ever. I don’t think you need a gadget for everything. I DO think the right tool can make something you already cook faster, easier or more enjoyable.

And that’s really the standard I use when I show you something in my own kitchen: Do I actually use it? Does it solve a problem? Does it make cooking easier? If it doesn’t, it doesn’t need to take up space in my kitchen—or yours.

But Then the Conversation Went Somewhere Even More Important

Eventually we started talking about entertaining.

🍁 Seasonal menus.
🍽️ Dinner parties.
❤️ Creating memorable experiences.
🏡 Family traditions.

And that’s where everyday cooking and Slice, Dice & Dish really come together for me. Because I’ve never believed food is just about food.

Some of my earliest memories of gathering around a table came from my family. My grandmother kept a notebook documenting her dinner parties—the first entry dates all the way back to August 27, 1936. Think about that. The menus are interesting. But the reason that little book matters nearly 100 years later isn’t really the food.

It’s the people who were there. That’s what I want us to remember when we’re worrying that we aren’t good enough cooks, our houses aren’t ready, or we don’t know what to serve. The meal doesn’t have to be extraordinary for the evening to become a memory.

Everyday Dinner and Dinner Parties Aren’t So Different

This might have been my biggest takeaway after looking back at our conversation. The things that make Tuesday-night dinner easier are the very same things that make having people over easier.

❇️ Have a plan.
❇️ Do what you can ahead.
❇️ Use good ingredients.
❇️ Use tools that make the work easier.
❇️ Take the shortcut when you need it.

And most importantly:

❇️ Don’t make the food so complicated that you can’t enjoy the people sitting at your table.

That’s really why I created my Complete Dinner Party Plans. I wanted to take the decisions that make entertaining feel overwhelming—the menu, shopping, prep, timing, table, cocktail and little details—and make them manageable. Because I don’t want you spending the entire evening in the kitchen.

I want you at the table.

Come Join Our Conversation

Leslie and I covered a surprising amount in about 38 minutes. We talked about family traditions and how I learned to cook, meal planning, grocery shopping, food quality, kitchen tools, shortcuts, food prep, farmers markets, using AI to adapt recipes, entertaining and even a few subjects I don’t normally talk about here.

And through all of it, one idea kept surfacing: Cooking and entertaining don’t have to be complicated to be good.

If you enjoy the things we talk about here each week, I think you’ll enjoy hearing the longer conversation.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee—or perhaps a cocktail—and come spend a little time in the kitchen with us.

🎥 WATCH: How to Build a Repeatable Meal Routine Without Losing Your Mind

And when you’re finished, I’d really love to hear from you: What part of our conversation would you like me to talk about more here?

Meal planning? Real food? Grocery shopping? Kitchen tools? Shortcuts? Entertaining?

Hit reply and tell me. Your answer just might inspire an upcoming article.

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Ready to make gathering around your table easier?

✨ Shop my Complete Dinner Party Plans for the menu, recipes, shopping list, prep timeline, styling ideas, welcome cocktail, take-home gift and everything you need to enjoy your own party.

✨ Follow me on Instagram @slicedicedish for real-life cooking, entertaining ideas, kitchen shortcuts and a peek at what I’m making in my own kitchen.

Because great food brings people to the table.
Meaningful moments keep them there.

Cheers!
Colleen 🥂

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about how to be a good host. But today, I want to talk about the other side of the dinner table. How to be a GREAT guest.

As much as I love planning a dinner party, choosing the menu and setting a beautiful table, I also know that the people sitting around that table can make or break the evening. And I think we’ve all experienced both.

The guest who immediately makes everyone feel comfortable. The one who brings something thoughtful. The person who can strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone. And then there’s the guest who arrives 30 minutes early, brings a dessert that needs to be baked and spends half the evening scrolling through their phone.

So, in the spirit of bringing back the dinner party, let’s talk about a little modern dinner party etiquette. Nothing stuffy. Nothing complicated. Just a few thoughtful habits that make entertaining more enjoyable for everyone.

1. What Should You Bring?

Let’s start with the question every guest should ask: “What can I bring?”

I’ve said before that hosts should accept help when it’s offered. In my article The Art of the Casual Dinner, I talked about how sharing the work makes entertaining easier and more enjoyable.

But there’s an important distinction between bringing something helpful and bringing something that creates more work. If your host asks you to bring an appetizer, wonderful! If they say they have everything covered, respect that.

A bottle of wine, a small box of chocolates or a little something they can enjoy the next day is always a thoughtful gesture. Flowers are lovely, too. But here’s a tip: Bring them already arranged in a vase so your host doesn’t have to stop what they’re doing to find one.

And please don’t show up with an elaborate dish that needs 45 minutes in the oven unless you’ve discussed it beforehand. The best thing you can bring is something that makes your host’s evening easier, not more complicated.

2. Fashionably Late? Not to a Dinner Party!

If the invitation says 6:30, aim for 6:30. Not 6:00. Not 7:15.

There’s a reason your host gave you an arrival time. They’ve probably been working backward from that moment, getting the food ready, setting out appetizers and making sure everything is in place. In fact, I have a personal rule: I stop preparing 45 minutes before my guests arrive so I can get myself ready and actually enjoy the evening.

When someone arrives early, that carefully planned little window disappears. And when someone arrives significantly late, dinner might have to wait.

Of course, things happen. Traffic, work and unexpected delays are part of life. Just send a quick text if you’re running behind. Being on time is one of the simplest ways to show your host you appreciate their effort.

3. Put the Phone Away

Oh, this one is important to me. When you’re sitting around someone’s table, be there. Not halfway through an email. Not checking Instagram every five minutes. Not watching a video someone just sent you.

There are certainly exceptions. If you’re waiting for an important call or need to be available for your children or an elderly parent, that’s completely understandable.

But otherwise, please put the phone away.

And while we’re talking about phones, ask before photographing your host’s home, other guests or posting pictures on social media. Not everyone wants their evening documented.

One of the reasons I love smaller dinner parties is that everyone can participate in the same conversation. Let’s not let our phones become another guest at the table.

4. Be Interested, Not Just Interesting

This might be my favorite quality in a dinner guest. Someone who makes an effort to get to know the other people at the table.

In my article The Best Hosts Notice What Their Guests Need, I shared how I look for connections between guests before they arrive. Maybe two people love hockey. Maybe they’ve visited the same place. Maybe they both enjoy gardening.

As a host, I love helping people discover those connections. But a great guest makes that job so much easier.

Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Include the quieter person sitting beside you. And remember that a conversation is not a competition to see who has the best story.

You don’t need to be the funniest or most entertaining person in the room. Sometimes the most memorable guest is simply the person who made everyone else feel interesting.

5. Should You Help With the Dishes?

This one can get a little tricky. Some hosts love having company in the kitchen. Others would prefer everyone stay at the table while they take care of things.

Personally, I appreciate someone offering to help. But here’s the key: Offer once, and then respect the answer.

If your host says, “No, no! Go sit down. I’ve got this,” believe them.

Don’t insist on loading the dishwasher or start opening cabinets to figure out where everything belongs. You might actually be making more work for them.

And if your host does accept your offer, wonderful! Clear a few plates. Refill the water glasses. Bring the dessert plates to the table. Little things can make a big difference.

I wrote about wanting to be a guest at my own dinner party, and I think the same principle applies here. The goal is for everyone, including the host, to enjoy the evening.

Sometimes helping means washing dishes. And sometimes it means staying at the table and keeping the conversation going.

6. Know When It’s Time to Go

Ah, the art of the graceful exit…. This might be the most overlooked part of being a good guest. I LOVE when people linger around my table.

Another glass of wine. One more story. A conversation that somehow turns into three more conversations. Those are often my favorite moments of the entire evening.

But there’s a difference between lingering because everyone is having a wonderful time and lingering because nobody knows how to leave. Pay attention to your host.

Are they still enthusiastically participating in the conversation? Or have they started clearing everything away, turning off lights and mentioning how early they need to get up tomorrow?

Those are clues, my friends!

And if your host says, “Well, I suppose I should let you get home,” that’s probably not an invitation to start another story.

Of course, if you’re staying with close friends and everyone is having a wonderful time, enjoy it. Just remember that a great guest knows how to read the room. Leave while everyone is still enjoying themselves. That way, they’ll be looking forward to the next invitation.

7. Don’t Forget the Thank-You

I’m a big believer in the thank-you note. It doesn’t have to be handwritten, although I do love receiving an actual card.

A thoughtful text the next morning is perfectly lovely. And rather than simply saying, “Thanks for dinner,” mention something specific.

Maybe you loved the roasted potatoes. Maybe you enjoyed meeting another guest. Maybe you laughed so hard during dessert that you’re still thinking about it the next morning.

Let your host know what made the evening special. Because when someone opens their home, they’re sharing more than a meal. They’re sharing their time, their effort and a little piece of their life. And that’s worth acknowledging.

The Best Guests Bring Something You Can’t Buy

Here’s what I really believe: You can arrive with the most expensive bottle of wine or the most beautiful hostess gift, but neither one makes you a great guest.

It’s the way you treat people. It’s showing genuine interest in the other guests. It’s being flexible when dinner runs a little late. It’s complimenting the food without making a fuss over what wasn’t served. It’s making the person who invited you feel that all their effort was worthwhile.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s remembering that you’re not there to be entertained. You’re there to be part of the evening.

The best gatherings are a shared experience. Everyone contributes something, even if it’s simply their presence, their attention and their willingness to connect. That’s what makes an evening memorable. And that’s what makes someone a guest you can’t wait to invite back.

Your Little Challenge This Week 🥂

The next time someone invites you over, do one thing that makes their evening a little easier. Bring something thoughtful. Help another guest feel included. Offer to clear the table. Or simply put your phone away and give everyone your undivided attention.

And if it’s been a while since someone invited you over, perhaps it’s time to extend an invitation of your own! Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Cheers!
Colleen ❤️

Ready to Host Your Own Gathering?

We’ve talked about being a great guest. Now it’s your turn to invite a few people over!

If planning the evening is what’s holding you back, my Complete Dinner Party Plans take care of the details for you. Each plan includes a coordinated menu, tested recipes, shopping lists, preparation timelines, entertaining shortcuts and table inspiration. You get to concentrate on the people around your table instead of spending the entire evening in the kitchen.

🍂 My newest plan, Fall’s First Table, is a wonderful way to welcome the season with a relaxed gathering.

👉 Explore Fall’s First Table and my Complete Dinner Party Plans

And if you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with a friend who loves entertaining—or someone who always makes your gatherings a little more special.

Follow Slice, Dice & Dish on Substack and find me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more recipes, entertaining inspiration, kitchen shortcuts and real-life cooking.

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts! What’s your biggest dinner party etiquette pet peeve? The guest who arrives early? The one who never puts their phone down? Or the one who doesn’t know when to leave?

Tell me in the comments!

There’s a funny little stretch of September when I’m ready for fall…but I’m not quite ready for FALL. You know what I mean.

The days are getting shorter. Dinner outside suddenly requires a sweater. I’m lighting candles earlier. I’m starting to crave warmer, cozier food. But the tomatoes are still beautiful. There are peaches at the market. My hydrangeas haven’t given up yet.

And I’m definitely not ready to put a pumpkin on every available surface. This might actually be my favorite time to set a table. Because instead of decorating for a season, I can simply let the table shift into it.

Start With What You Already Have

You don’t need a box marked FALL DECOR to create a beautiful September table. In fact, I think some of the prettiest fall tables don’t look particularly “decorated” at all.

Start with your everyday dishes. Keep the linens you’ve been using all summer. Leave the hydrangeas on the table if they’re still beautiful. Then add a little warmth.

A woven placemat under your regular dinner plate. A heavier linen napkin. Wooden serving pieces. A few branches clipped from outside. Suddenly, the table feels different without changing everything on it.

Let the Grocery Store Be Your Decor Aisle

This is one of my favorite entertaining tricks. Decorate with things you can eat. Put apples or pears in a pretty bowl. Scatter a few figs or grapes down the center of the table. Fill a small dish with nuts. Even the food you’re serving can become part of the table.

A beautiful salad. A rustic loaf of bread on a wooden board. A casserole brought right to the table. It feels abundant and seasonal without looking like you tried too hard.

And bonus: you don’t have to find somewhere to store it in January.

Change the Color, Not the Theme

You also don’t have to suddenly turn everything orange and brown. If your summer table has been blue and white, keep the blue and white. Add olive green, deep burgundy, golden yellow, and warm cream. Use natural wood.

Those few deeper tones are enough to take the same dishes you used in July and make them feel completely at home in September. That’s a much easier transition than reinventing your entire table every season.

And Then There Are the Candles

If you do only one thing, light the candles. September evenings practically beg for them.

I love candles at different heights, and I don’t think everything has to match. A couple of tapers, a few votives and maybe one larger candle can completely change the feeling of the table.

Remember what we talked about last week? The feeling comes first.

Candlelight tells everyone to settle in. Dinner isn’t being rushed. We’re staying awhile. And really, isn’t that what we’re trying to create?

Fall’s First Table

This exact in-between season is what inspired my newest Complete Dinner Party Plan, Fall’s First Table, which I released last Thursday.

I wanted a dinner that felt like September actually feels—not quite summer anymore, but not deep into fall either. It celebrates that beautiful overlap when we can still enjoy the last of summer’s produce while beginning to lean into the warmth and coziness of a new season.

And I’ve planned the whole evening for you. The menu. The cocktail. The prep timeline. The table inspiration. The shortcuts. Even a little something for your guests to take home.

So instead of spending hours figuring out what goes with what and when everything needs to happen, you can concentrate on the part that matters: Who do I want around my table?

👉 [Get Fall’s First Table: The Complete Dinner Party Plan]

Your Little Hosting Challenge This Week

Before you buy a single pumpkin, walk around your house… Look for something woven, something wooden, a pretty bowl, candles you forgot you had. You can even have kids help by creating a scavenger hunt for them.

Then step outside and see what you can clip from the yard. Add a bowl of apples or pears from the grocery store. There’s your first fall table. No theme required.

Just a table that feels a little warmer, a little cozier and ready for people to gather around it. Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

P.S. If you’re not quite ready to host a full dinner, start smaller. Invite someone over for cocktails and something to nibble on. The gathering doesn’t have to be elaborate to matter.

And if you’d like me to do the planning for you, Fall’s First Table Complete Dinner Party Plan is ready for you. [GET THE PLAN]

Follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @SliceDiceDish for everyday cooking, easier entertaining, Pampered Chef favorites and plenty of real life in between.

I’ve hosted a lot of people around my table over the years. Some dinners have been carefully planned. Some have come together at the last minute. Some have had beautiful tables and several courses.

And some have basically been, Come over. I’m making dinner.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that the dinners I enjoy hosting most all have one thing in common: I don’t start with the food.

That probably sounds a little strange coming from someone whose business has the word Dice in the name. But before I decide what I’m cooking, I decide what I want the evening to feel like.

✅ Do I want everyone lingering around the table for hours?
✅ Do I want something casual where we’re eating outside and nobody cares if we’re using paper napkins?
✅ Is it cozy? Celebratory? A little fancy? Completely relaxed?

Once I know that, everything else gets easier. And without really realizing it, I had developed a formula.

The SDD Hosting Method™

Plan the vibe → Choose the menu → Prep ahead → Set the table → Enjoy your guests.

It’s the order that matters. (Read more about my method here.)

Plan the vibe.

Before recipes, before Pinterest, before buying flowers—decide what kind of evening you’re creating. Sometimes my entire plan is: good food, a bottle of wine and people I want to spend time with. That’s enough.

Choose the menu.

Now I think about the food. And I’ve learned that more food does not necessarily make a better dinner party.

I would much rather serve a really good main dish, a simple side or two and a dessert I know works than spend the entire day making seven different things because I think that’s what entertaining is supposed to look like.

Choose food you actually want to eat—and food that allows you to enjoy the evening too.

Prep ahead.

This might be the most important part of the whole formula. Whenever I choose a menu, I’m already asking myself: What can I do before anyone gets here?

Chop the vegetables. Make the dressing. Assemble the casserole. Set up the cocktail ingredients. Make dessert. Anything I can move out of that final hour is a win.

And this is also where the right kitchen tools make a huge difference for me. I cook for a living, and I still don’t want to spend all day chopping, slicing and prepping. The Pampered Chef tools you see me use aren’t sitting in a cabinet waiting for a demonstration—they’re the things I actually reach for because they make getting dinner on the table easier.

Set the table.

Here’s something I’ve learned: A welcoming table doesn’t have to be an impressive table.

Put out the plates. Add napkins. Light a couple of candles. If you have flowers, wonderful. If you clipped something from the yard, even better. And please use the things you already own.

The good dishes don’t need to wait for Thanksgiving.

And then—the most important step.

Enjoy your guests. Sit down. Pour yourself a drink. Eat while the food is hot. Listen to the stories. Laugh. Stay at the table longer than you planned.

Because this is the part we sometimes forget when we’re worried about whether everything is perfect.

The dinner party isn’t the meal.

The meal simply gives us a reason to gather. That’s really what Slice, Dice & Dish has become for me. Yes, I love creating recipes. I love a beautiful table. I love finding easier ways to get dinner made.

But what I really love is what happens after everyone sits down. And that’s why my formula always ends the same way: Enjoy your guests.

Because great food brings people to the table.
Meaningful moments keep them there.

Ready to host? Grab a Complete Dinner Party Plan here.
Need inspiration? Follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

Cheers,
Colleen 🥂

I read something this week that made me VERY happy: The dinner party is making a comeback.

But not the dinner party you may be picturing. Not twelve people around a perfectly set table. Not five courses. Not an elaborate centerpiece you spent three hours recreating from Pinterest. Not a spotless house. And definitely not a host who spends the entire evening in the kitchen.

The CASUAL dinner party is coming back.

And all I can say is… IT’S ABOUT TIME.

Somewhere Along the Way, We Made Dinner Too Complicated

There was a time when having people over wasn’t necessarily an event.

You simply said, “Want to come over for dinner Saturday?”

Then life got busier. Going out became the default. Takeout and delivery got easier. Workdays got longer and budgets got tighter.

And then we added perfection. Suddenly we needed a tablescape, a theme, matching dishes, a signature cocktail, a spotless house—and apparently not one dog hair anywhere.

What was once “Come over for dinner” started feeling more like a performance. No wonder we stopped inviting people.

But Something Is Changing

A recent Miami Herald article talked about how dinner parties are helping Americans reconnect in 2026.

Supper clubs, recurring dinners and casual meals at home are making a comeback. And today’s dinner party is less about formality and more about connection.

One line really stuck with me:

“The unexpected result was that people remembered how to have each other over.”

I LOVE THAT. Maybe that’s exactly what we need to remember: How to simply have each other over.

What Does a Casual Dinner Look Like?

Here’s my definition: People you enjoy + something good to eat + a welcoming place to sit.

That’s it. Maybe it’s lasagna and salad. Maybe you grill burgers. Maybe it’s soup, good bread and a bottle of wine. Maybe you make the entrée and your friends bring the appetizer and dessert.

And yes… Maybe you order pizza.

The point isn’t proving you can cook everything yourself. The point is getting people together.

I’ve said before that I love gatherings of eight or fewer. Four people counts. Six is wonderful. Eight is plenty. Everyone can be part of the same conversation—and you, the host, can actually sit down and enjoy it.

Your House Does NOT Need to Be Spotless

I feel like someone needs to hear this: Your friends are not coming over to inspect your baseboards. Clear the clutter where people will gather. Wipe down the bathroom. Get the kitchen reasonably presentable. Then STOP. Close the doors to the rest.

I’d much rather walk into someone’s slightly messy house and find a relaxed, happy host than walk into a perfect house with someone who’s completely frazzled.

Casual Doesn’t Mean We Stop Making It Special

This is important:

✅ Light the candles.
✅ Use the cloth napkins.
✅ Put grocery-store flowers in a pitcher.
✅ Pull out Grandma’s silver.
✅ Use the china you’ve been saving.

Not because you’re trying to impress anyone. Because it’s Tuesday and your friends are sitting around your table. That’s occasion enough. Thoughtful without being fussy. That’s my kind of entertaining.

And PLEASE Take the Shortcut

You don’t get extra points for making everything from scratch. Buy the appetizer. Use the rotisserie chicken. Pick up dessert from the bakery. Make cocktails in a pitcher.

And when someone asks, “What can I bring?” LET THEM BRING SOMETHING.

Hosting does not mean doing everything yourself. I don’t need my guests leaving saying: Wow, she did ALL of that herself!

I’d much rather hear: “We need to do this again.”

Don’t Forget My 45-Minute Rule

Forty-five minutes before your guests arrive, everything stops.

Put down the dish towel. Get dressed. Pour yourself something. Turn on the music. Whatever didn’t get done probably didn’t need to be done. Because your guests didn’t come to watch you cook.

They came to spend time with you.

Maybe We Don’t Need More Occasions

Maybe we need more ordinary dinners.

“ Come over Thursday. I’m making pasta. Bring wine. Come around 6:30.”

That’s it. No birthday. No holiday. No reason other than we haven’t seen each other lately. Imagine if we all did that a little more often. Because I’ve said it before: The goal isn’t a crowd. It’s connection.

So Here’s My Challenge

Think of four people you’d enjoy sitting around a table with.

✅ Text them.
✅ Pick a night.
✅ Make something simple.
✅ Clear off the table.
✅ And have them over.

You just need to open the door. ❤️

Because great food brings people to the table. Meaningful moments keep them there.

Ready to Put a Date on the Calendar?

If figuring out what to serve, when to make it and how to pull everything together is the part that stops you, let me do that part for you.

My Complete Dinner Party Plans give you the menu, recipes, hosting timeline, Easy/Easier/Easiest shortcuts and ideas for creating the experience—without turning your dinner party into a giant project.

✨ Choose a Complete Dinner Party Plan, put a date on your calendar and invite the people. I’ll take care of the plan so you can enjoy the gathering.

Don’t save hosting for a special occasion. Having people you care about in your home IS the special occasion.

✨ Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for weekly recipes, entertaining inspiration, behind-the-scenes hosting tips, and simple ideas to help you gather more often.

Cheers!
Colleen 🥂

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 🥂