Paper plates - tacky or ok?

thechickencoop · October 2013

What does SAHM say about paper plates for Thanksgiving? We're hosting this year and I'm sooo excited! But we don't have any china or 'nice' dinnerware, just our every day plates which I don't want to use. I also don't want to buy dinner ware that it just OK to get through the hoilday, and I haven't found any I love yet and I don't have a lot to spend. I found nicer, heavy duty plates at Target, some square ones, they're actually kind of cute, so is that awfully tacky to use paper for a holiday? We're just having my parents and sister, and FIL and his gf, so nothing major. I think I would get the metallic silverware then too, but still use our glass glasses? Or if you do paper plates, would you do regular silverware?

SandFHasse · October 2013

I did Thanksgiving at my house last year and did paper plates and plastic silverware. There were almost 30 people there and DD was only 2 months old. I was not doing dishes for that many people. I believe we did plastic cups too. I think its fine.

jensriot · October 2013

I agree that it depends on the event. My mom hosted a holiday and instead of using paper, she did dollar store plates. They were basic, but nice enough to keep for future occasions. For me it depends on the number too. I'm not washing for 30 either.

Chapter79 · October 2013

Depends on your family

Some would care. Mine? They wouldn't care. They just get all excited that the family is spending time together (and yeah, the yummy food is good too).. they could care less what the meal was served on, they probably wouldn't even notice. And since my grandma usually jumps in to help wash dishes, she'd be like "bring on the paper plates!!!".

thechickencoop · October 2013

Dollar store! Huh! I had no idea. Really, it will be casual and no one will care lol, but ya know, it's my first holiday

I think I will check out the dollar store though just to see what they have. Thanks ladies !

spring_time · October 2013

It depends on your family. With my mom's side of the family it would be tacky because we have formal meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. My aunt even goes to the extent of having place cards. For my dad's side of the family, it would be fine because holidays are more like a potluck and everyone serves their own food. If your family is more laid back, I am sure it is fine. However, if you are having a sit down meal and do not want to purchase plates, they have clear plastic plates that I think look a little nicer than paper. We usually use those for baby/wedding showers.

notkateanymore · October 2013

I would not use paper plates for Thanksgiving. I highly recommend getting a set of Crate and Barrel buffet plates. They last forever and work with everything.

nosoup4u · October 2013

I would just use your everyday plates, it sounds like you don't have that many people. Paper plates are fine for a bday party or even with tons of people, but I wouldn't do it for Thanksgiving.

notkateanymore · October 2013

Diapers&Wipes said:

Depends on your family Some would care. Mine? They wouldn't care. They just get all excited that the family is spending time together (and yeah, the yummy food is good too).. they could care less what the meal was served on, they probably wouldn't even notice. And since my grandma usually jumps in to help wash dishes, she'd be like "bring on the paper plates!!!".
This! I know people are going to chime in about how tacky it is, but my family doesn't do formal for any occasion (maybe weddings). No one is volunteering to wash dishes so everyone is fine with paper. It's my dream to have a nice formal thanksgiving with place settings and the such but I haven't gotten around to it. One day! Oh and we love pot luck style holidays with mix match serving places :P

HA! There is a difference between formal and paper plates at Thanksgiving.

peacelove&mama · October 2013

I wouldn't use paper plates for any holiday meal. We only use them for birthdays or BBQ's.

Chapter79 · October 2013

Really, there's no right or wrong here. Everyone is different. What some people find tacky, others will find 100% acceptable.. and that just depends on your family.

My family just isn't formal. I wouldn't care if they all wore PJ's and tshirts at Thanksgiving. I just care that we're together. No one will even LOOK at the plates. And they would welcome less dishes

notkateanymore · October 2013

If you have an Ikea near you can also get like 100 plates for $25.

notkateanymore · October 2013

LalaMama81 said:

Cleaning up wouldn't really phase me, that's what the dishwasher is for plus everyone always chips in to help.
Not dh family. They don't offer to even bring a dish. And then they sit on their ass as I clean. Dh and I are always the last to sit (which it should be) BUT more than half are all done eating when we sit because they get their food and start chowing down without everyone at table. So rude and annoying. Which is another reason i refuse to host dinner the year. We are going to go to a football game and stay home alone!!!! Can't wait.
Yea, that would be frustrating. I look at holidays like tgiving, Xmas and Easter as communal events...usually one persons hosts and does the lions share but everyone chips in somehow.

Our family does something similar...people bring sides and usually the hostess cooks the meat. Or more likely we all get together early in the day or the day before and cook together usually.

thechickencoop · October 2013

cjcouple said:

Cleaning up wouldn't really phase me, that's what the dishwasher is for plus everyone always chips in to help.
Not dh family. They don't offer to even bring a dish. And then they sit on their ass as I clean. Dh and I are always the last to sit (which it should be) BUT more than half are all done eating when we sit because they get their food and start chowing down without everyone at table. So rude and annoying. Which is another reason i refuse to host dinner the year. We are going to go to a football game and stay home alone!!!! Can't wait.

Whaaa? That's awful! All holidays in both mine and DHs family are potluck-ish. Like, the host always does the big main dishes, but then everyone else will always volunteer something else, dessert, sides, etc. We all set-up, clean-up, etc, and no one starts eating until everyone is sitting. How rude of them!

What I'm super excited about is the turkey. We have a lot of local farms so I'm going to order a fresh turkey, which I've never done before! I'm going to do a small ham, stuffing, and gravy, then everyone else will bring something else - another side or two, and dessert. Easy peasy, and it will be fun to get our house all ready for company

thechickencoop · October 2013

letranger said:

If it is sit down meal I'd rather go to the thrift store or ikea and buy all white plates. If its buffet I would do compostable green plates. But I'm environment(y) like that.

Any particular type of plates? These were what I saw at Target that seemed pretty sturdy https://www.target.com/p/solo-bare-eco-friendly-sugarcane-10-paper-plates-10-ct/-/A-13492977#prodSlot=medium_1_7&term=paper+plates

penguingrrl · October 2013

I really try to avoid disposable plates, but that's my own hang up! On my family we do use formal dishes for holidays. There are a lot of us, so f the host doesn't have enough we'll bring more over. I actually chose my china pattern to coordinate to my mother's and aunt's so we can use them together as the family grows. But it really depends on what your family prefers. There's no right or wrong!

id012 · October 2013

My family uses china and real silver silverwear( that i get to polish woohoo) thats been past down from generation to generation. Dh family uses paper and plastic.
It doesnt matter to me, but i thibkit sets the tone for the event.
My family sits at one huge table, with the complete table setting its formal. His is scartterd about the house mostly in front of the tv, its casual. Theres like 30 people at each.

Arnegard · October 2013

i think our families do paper? the size, no table is big enough and football is on. whatever.

pitterpatter129 · October 2013

I'm glad you asked this. We are hosting this year too and I was thinking the same thing. I think I decided on real plates though. Now I'm back to unsure. Paper sounds so easy! I have a relative who brings tupperwear and makes herself to-go plates though, so obviously they wouldn't be put off by paper. I can't de-tacky the guests themselves, so I might as well make it easier on myself. :P

fancynewbeesly · October 2013

Look at the dollar store.

A few years ago we hosted Thanksgiving---30+ people, and my mom found nice plain cream plates at the dollar store. Those are our holiday plates--nothing fancy, they are kept in the basement--but it does the job when we need more plates than the 6 dinner plates we have.

fancynewbeesly · October 2013

id012 said:

My family uses china and real silver silverwear( that i get to polish woohoo) thats been past down from generation to generation. Dh family uses paper and plastic. It doesnt matter to me, but i thibkit sets the tone for the event. My family sits at one huge table, with the complete table setting its formal. His is scartterd about the house mostly in front of the tv, its casual. Theres like 30 people at each.

With DH's family--it is huge--to big to have a sit down dinner. Years ago, they had a kids table by the TV and the adult's table. But that was when there was 20 people there. Now there isn't enough room for everyone---since cousins are getting married and having kids. At the minimum there are usually 30 people---sometimes more. It just can't be a formal sit down meal--but they still use real plates!

kcisthebombdotcom · October 2013

We got some fina china from the early 1900s passed down to us from Dhs grandma so we use that for more formal events. With that being said I wouldn't bat an eyelash over someone using paper. We use paper all the time when we have guests. If we didn't have that set I'd have no qualms using paper.

MrsI · October 2013

Just another idea... We bought plates at the dollar tree that only get used for Thanksgiving. We store them in a Rubbermaid bin the rest of the year. I don't think there's anything wrong with disposable as long as they are a heavy duty that will hold the food and not become a mess.

ASullivan1231 · October 2013

I was using paper plates a lot until this board got me thinking about waste. I got really cute, reusable plastic plates from Christmas Tree Shop. I got 20 for like $4 and also bought reusable plastic silverware. We used them all summer bc we had a bunch of cook outs at our house. I'd look into something like that.

peaceinnature · October 2013

We're doing a low-key Thanksgiving this year, but I plan on using paper plates just for dessert and regular plates for dinner. Paper cups for soda/water, but real wine glasses. I found some nice fall themed plates and cups at Target marked down. Nice compromise!

kcisthebombdotcom · October 2013

amy052006 said:

Nobody can tell me it isn't a total pita trying to cut turkey with gravy on a paper plate. Or mashed potatoes? Nope -- gross. I don't care if your plates don't match, but some food just sucks to eat off of paper. Plus I generally dislike how everyone just tries to make every single occasion super casual and cheap anymore.

Nobody is saying you need fine china, but you can get a cheapo buffet set for this type of thing. It's a good thing to have.

I don't find it to be difficult. I always keep paper plates in the house (they come in handy when having friends over to watch sports when were serving pizza and nachos!) and I admit sometimes I use them here and there when I don't feel like cleaning. I've never really had a difficulty cutting meat. Plus if turkey is cooked right you should be able to barely touch it with a fork before it falls apart.

I suppose not all paper plates are made equal though.

id012 · October 2013

Starearedkid said:

id012 said:

My family uses china and real silver silverwear( that i get to polish woohoo) thats been past down from generation to generation. Dh family uses paper and plastic.
It doesnt matter to me, but i thibkit sets the tone for the event.
My family sits at one huge table, with the complete table setting its formal. His is scartterd about the house mostly in front of the tv, its casual. Theres like 30 people at each.

With DH's family--it is huge--to big to have a sit down dinner. Years ago, they had a kids table by the TV and the adult's table. But that was when there was 20 people there. Now there isn't enough room for everyone---since cousins are getting married and having kids. At the minimum there are usually 30 people---sometimes more. It just can't be a formal sit down meal--but they still use real plates!

My mom is akways the hoat at thanksgiving. She has a ridiculous large dinning rokm and a really open floor plan. We juat keep adding.tables every yer to f it more people! Lol.

pitterpatter129 · October 2013

amy052006 said:

KC_13 said:

amy052006 said:

Nobody can tell me it isn't a total pita trying to cut turkey with gravy on a paper plate. Or mashed potatoes? Nope -- gross. I don't care if your plates don't match, but some food just sucks to eat off of paper. Plus I generally dislike how everyone just tries to make every single occasion super casual and cheap anymore.

Nobody is saying you need fine china, but you can get a cheapo buffet set for this type of thing. It's a good thing to have.

I don't find it to be difficult. I always keep paper plates in the house (they come in handy when having friends over to watch sports when were serving pizza and nachos!) and I admit sometimes I use them here and there when I don't feel like cleaning. I've never really had a difficulty cutting meat. Plus if turkey is cooked right you should be able to barely touch it with a fork before it falls apart. I suppose not all paper plates are made equal though.

Nobody is going to sell me on the idea that a "high end" paper plate somehow makes it ok. Of course we have paper plates sometimes (I actually don't make a point to stock them) and they are great for pizza. But for Thanksgiving? With guests? Really?

Gravy on paper. I can't.

Okay, I don't know about OP, but you sold me on real plates. I suddenly imagined the gravy and potatoes...yeah, real plates it is. Now to find some...and cheap cloth napkins because if I'm going fancy, then I'm going fancy.

thechickencoop · October 2013

pitterpatter129 said:

amy052006 said:

KC_13 said:

amy052006 said:

Nobody can tell me it isn't a total pita trying to cut turkey with gravy on a paper plate. Or mashed potatoes? Nope -- gross. I don't care if your plates don't match, but some food just sucks to eat off of paper. Plus I generally dislike how everyone just tries to make every single occasion super casual and cheap anymore.

Nobody is saying you need fine china, but you can get a cheapo buffet set for this type of thing. It's a good thing to have.

I don't find it to be difficult. I always keep paper plates in the house (they come in handy when having friends over to watch sports when were serving pizza and nachos!) and I admit sometimes I use them here and there when I don't feel like cleaning. I've never really had a difficulty cutting meat. Plus if turkey is cooked right you should be able to barely touch it with a fork before it falls apart. I suppose not all paper plates are made equal though.

Nobody is going to sell me on the idea that a "high end" paper plate somehow makes it ok. Of course we have paper plates sometimes (I actually don't make a point to stock them) and they are great for pizza. But for Thanksgiving? With guests? Really?

Gravy on paper. I can't.

Okay, I don't know about OP, but you sold me on real plates. I suddenly imagined the gravy and potatoes...yeah, real plates it is. Now to find some...and cheap cloth napkins because if I'm going fancy, then I'm going fancy.

I know right?! This is what I'm concerned about. I would hate for there to be any turkey-fouls lol. I am excited to check out the dollar store tomorrow. @katemw I looove crate and barrel table settings but they are out of my budget range for now

notkateanymore · October 2013

The white buffet plates are much cheaper than their regular dishes. But also check out World Market, Target, Ikea...any similar store will have sets of plain white plates. Invest, they're great for years.

MesmrEwe · October 2013

Sam's Club has a nice, yet cheap, plastic disposable plates and silverware that you can get too. IMO, I'm also with the others in that it "depends on the event"... If it was a wedding, unless it's a back yard BBQ style, tacky beyond belief but eh, with kids, I don't mind the plastic because I don't have to worry if it turns into a Frisbee for breaking... But, Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter/B-days, go for the plastic!!!! It's one less detail to have to manage and you can go as nice or as basic as you want. Our family gets about 50 together for things like Christmas, so things like plates, unless someone has a stick and wants to do the dishes themselves, it's paper/plastic.. OTOH, I have a stack of the cheap $1 Walmart plates that I keep in storage bins for getting groups together if I really want real plates then I use those big grey tubs (like you see at restaurants to bus tables), and just put them in there until I'm ready to wash them in the dishwasher after the fog of the event has lifted (if it wasn't for the dust factor they could be stored in those too)... Just remember the extra large garbage bags so you aren't changing them out ever 2 minutes!!!

spring_time · October 2013

penguingrrl said:

I really try to avoid disposable plates, but that's my own hang up! On my family we do use formal dishes for holidays. There are a lot of us, so f the host doesn't have enough we'll bring more over. I actually chose my china pattern to coordinate to my mother's and aunt's so we can use them together as the family grows. But it really depends on what your family prefers. There's no right or wrong!

I also did this. My china coordinates with my moms and my grandmothers. I love the tradition of it!

prism207 · October 2013

We use paper plates for holidays with my family. The gathering includes my parents, their seven kids plus spouses, and 20 grandkids, aged 19 to 0. Even with a dishwasher, washing all those plates and bowls and glasses would take a while. Just the dinner plates would need a whole load on their own!

When I was growing up and the crowd was smaller, my mother used her china. Now there is just too many of us. We eat buffet style now, and end up sitting wherever once the two tables are full-including on the couch or the floor. It is more important that we all get to be together than we use nice dinnerware.

MesmrEwe · October 2013

Oh, another "shout out" to Sam's... You can get a 36 piece real set of (cheap) Silverware there for around $8 each piece... The great thing is once through the dishwasher they fit into a quart Ziploc for storage until the next event. They aren't anything to write home about, but they are real and two events they're cheaper than the better quality plastic utensils... Walmart also has the serving pieces around $2 each... And if you REALLY want to go cheap - find a place that sells used restaurant equipment - A lot of times you can get a whole set of plates/glasses (in a cambro for easy storage) for pennies on the dollar...

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