This week’s task in the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge is one that’s bound to inspire debate on usefulness versus sentimentality. If you have a china cabinet, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Are you ready for china cabinet decluttering week?
This post was originally published in June 2021 and republished in June 2024.
Most of what we keep in china cabinets doesn’t fall into the category of “necessary”. In fact, most of the contents of our china cabinet are wedding gifts and other gifts given to us over the years. Many of these items have been used very few times over the years. Extreme minimalists and declutterers would say “get rid of it all”. But I feel differently.
What is the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge?
In this year-long journey, we’re tackling one task at a time with the goal of cleaning up and organizing our homes. If you’ve just joined us, no worries. You can jump right in with this week’s challenge. Just check out the first two posts in the series to download your free checklists.
You can get easy access to all previous weekly posts on the main Decluttering page.
The “good dishes” debate
I prefer informal gatherings, so I’ve never been a fan of fine china and crystal. When we got married, I refused to pick out a china pattern because the practical side of me felt it was unnecessary extravagance. I’d also never want my kids, or any guest in my home, to feel bad if they broke a piece of expensive china.
Instead of overpriced china that’s sold by the place setting, we used some of our wedding gift money to buy a nice set of white china dishes. They cost a fraction of what fine china would cost, but they’re good quality. They’re also versatile enough to match any tablecloth or seasonal decor. And they’re dishwasher safe! It’s a decision I’ve never regretted.
We use our “good dishes” two or three times a year—usually Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Extreme minimalists would say there’s no point taking up space in your home for something you’re only going to use a few times a year. I disagree. They’re not in the way and I like having them. The same goes for most of the contents of our china cabinet. It makes me feel good to get them out on special occasions.
But I don’t hesitate to use the good dishes any time I need them. One day, they will probably become our everyday dishes. For now, I’m content to leave them in the china cabinet and get them out a few times a year.
With that out of the way, let’s get decluttering!
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Week 24 – China cabinet decluttering
Here’s a picture of our china cabinet. We bought it with money my husband’s grandparents gave us for a wedding gift. I’ve always liked the nice, warm feel of the wood. It adds a touch of coziness to our dining room.
This week’s decluttering and organizing tips
Here are my tips and learnings from week 25.
- If you have things you love, keep them, even if you only use them a few times a year when you have a large family gathering.
- Don’t be afraid to use the good stuff whenever you feel like it. I have several nice pottery pieces that I use often. I’m a big fan of pottery because it’s more casual and durable than china.
- If there are things you know you’ll never use, don’t be afraid to say good-bye, even if they were gifts. I had a crystal napkin holder that was given to us as a wedding gift. I’ve never used and never will. It was time to let it go.
- Duplicates are a quick decluttering win. Why do I need 5 sets of salt and pepper shakers? Similarly, I had so many candle holders that we never use.
What I got rid of
In total, I said good-bye to 32 items this week.
- 7 candle holders
- 7 candles
- 3 sets of salt and pepper shakers
- 7 placemats
- 1 reed diffuser
- 1 doily
- Crystal napkin holder
- Cheeseboard set
- 1 basket
- 1 washcloth
- A tea cozy
- A novelty bowtie
2024 Update
It has been three years so I’m rebooting the 52-Week Decluttering Challenge to see how much I can get rid of in 2024.
As I went through my china cabinet this time around, I had all the same feelings as last time. That said, I do think the day will come when I’ll be able to get rid of many of these things. Even so, I did part with 11 small items from one of the drawers that had turned into a bit of a junk drawer.
So that’s week 25 done. In my china cabinet decluttering, I kept the things that make me smile and got rid of items that I don’t want or need. Isn’t that what decluttering and simplifying are all about?
If you have friends or family members who could benefit from a little less clutter in their lives, please share this post and spread the word!
Clutter or a worthwhile luxury? Which side of the good dishes debate do you fall on? Tell us below.
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Thank you Michelle for your tips, I have to do the decluttering heirloom items. Forty-six years married, the stuff can be overwhelming, I like your one-thing-at-a-time method, one cupboard, one drawer, a great place to start. It is something I can do while indoors during this oppressive heat!
Yes, decluttering is a good indoor task to get out of the heat. I’ve just been getting a head start on next week!
Don’t have one Michelle, but I have seen some jam packed cabinets in homes. I always start to imagine the family members who will have to go through all of it…later on.
Right, Deb! I’m very grateful that my daughters will never have to worry about what to do with my “good dishes”.
Were you peeking in recently, Michelle? 😉Paul, Delaney and I had a wacky chat about Paul’s love of the ‘replacements’ company that stocks odd pieces of china and crockery…flatware, I think, too…to help people who need to pick up a lone teacup or replace a serving piece. Paul is very, very attached to his grandma’s china and specific plates and he LOVES the replacements company. Very often he’s been able to nab a precious piece from them.
I haven’t heard of that company, Vicki. I’ve never understood the appeal of fine china. Honestly, they’re just dishes! I do have a place setting of my grandmother’s china. At one point, they split up the set and gave each of her grandchildren a place setting. After she passed, my cousin wanted to gather them all up and give them to her daughter (Who I don’t think would have wanted them if the truth is known), but it didn’t happen.
Have a terrific Friday my friend! 🤗
I love that idea of splitting up the place settings. Hope you have a great day, too Michelle! 🥰
I have a 4-place setting of fine china, and a 12-place setting of Christmas china. I used to have the family for Christmas and used it all, but we’ve moved away and no longer entertain. The fine china is in my glass front cabinets and Christmas packed in its original boxes in the cabinet. Perhaps I should sell it, but we like it. Maybe this year I will get it out just for us.
I actually LOVE Christmas dishes. That’s something I’ve never owned. I settle for my white dishes with a festive Christmas tablecloth.
I don’t have a china cabinet and I’ve never owned a whole set of fancy dishes but I have some crystal pieces that belonged to my husband’s grandma. I use the crystal pieces frequently, even when it isn’t a fancy occasion.
That’s great that you use the crystal often. The downside to having a china cabinet is things like that are put away instead of being someplace you will see them every day. I sometimes think I would use the stuff more if I saw it in the cupboard every day.
Yeah, that makes sense. I rearrange most of my stuff, including where I keep everything in my kitchen periodically. It helps me ensure nothing gets hidden away.
We found boxes of China when we moved into our previous home. Now I need a cabinet to hold it all! And i agree with you. Some things just shouldn’t be donated or thrown out.
Thanks Michelle. Personally, I love the look of a china cabinet so you can display things that are meaningful to you. I have my wedding bouquet in ours, along with some gifts and collectibles. I don’t get them out and use them, but they are meaningful to me and I like to look at them.
Love that you have a dedicated china cabinet! I use the top most shelves of my dish cabinets and one bottom one to store my dinner dishes, glasses, and a collection of lovely pottery serving dishes made by my aunt and local potters. Confession: too many things break in my house for me to have to dig deep and declutter too many sets of half-finished wine glasses . . . 😬
Thanks for sharing some awesome tips, Michelle, and an update on your decluttering journey! I always enjoy reading. 🙂
Ha ha. I know what you mean about the breakage. I love my pottery and I have pottery wine goblets now that I love. They’re much more durable than glasses.
Great tips! In the process of decluttering now!
Thanks Kat. Good luck. Let me know how you make out!
I’m lucky that the house we moved into has a built-in china hutch, it contains china the previous owners had and left with me. I don’t think it’s worth anything, but I kept it because it looks pretty in the cabinet. Then, my sister-in-law gave me a stand-alone hutch with my mother-in-law’s china in it. I don’t need any of this, but now I hang on to it for sentimental reasons. Should I let go of the “stranger’s” china and use that space for other things? I’ve tried to find the pattern on Ebay, btw, but my set isn’t complete. I doubt if I could sell it for much.
Thanks.
It is a difficult thing, especially when the china has sentimental attachment. I’m lucky that my mum never had fancy dishes so it isn’t something I will have to deal with. I do have a china cup, plate and saucer that belonged to my grandmother. It’s in my china cabinet but it doesn’t take up much space.
Thrift and antique stores are full of china and crystal. Younger generations don’t put the same value on it so there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for it. I read so many stories of people saying “what the heck do I do with this stuff?”
You might be able to sell some of it on eBay to someone who needs a piece to complete a set or replace a broken piece.
Oh, that’s a thought, thanks!
You’re welcome. Good luck Kim.