My parents also had the fine China in a hutch "in case we ever need it for company" ...and yet, not once in the entire 18 years I lived with them did we ever use it. It was there just in case the Prime Minister dropped by, I guess, and too delicate to use otherwise?
My family uses our nice China way more now that we’ve decided to stick it in the dishwasher. Holidays are for enjoying, fancy plates and dishes are for using. I especially love breaking out the fancy tea pot and cups to play card games.
Wow, it’s delicate and can’t go in the dishwasher? Definitely excited about using that!
Mom used to say it was on display because it "looked nice", yet I always wondered who was supposed to see this? Again, not once did any of my parent's friends ever go "oh this fine China you have is so lovely!" We won't even talk about the silverware, which was neither used NOR on display.
It's for if somebody invites the vampires in.