All my fine jewelry and sterling has been appraised and insured in a personal articles floater on my homeowner’s insurance policy. I pay over $100 per month just for my PAF premiums and I’ve had the policy for almost 21 years.
I’ve actually thought about (eventually) giving or donating my fine, china, linens and crystal to other tablescaping woman /women who will understand and treasure the value of my collection. There is a sizable community of tablescaping blogger women scattered all over the U.S., Europe and South America. What we all have in common is love of beautiful dishes, entertaining, and decorating beautiful and elaborate themed tables. There is a woman named Susan who lives in Atlanta and she personally helped launch tablescaping blogs to a new level about 10 years ago. Her blog name is betweennapsontheporch. She has an absolutely beautiful blog/web site. I sometimes think that when I finally have to REALLY downsize, I may donate my fine things to her. She’s about 10 years younger than me, I think she would treasure and take really good care of my things.
I’m 61, I think I have 15 to 20 years left of the energy I have today, I will keep collecting fine tableware and tablescaping for a while.
I set a fine table but have never heard of table-scaping.
I keep my sterling at the bank, saves polishing that way.
I got rid of best and better, and bought a pattern that I love, collect the vintage pieces, Johnson’s Friendly Village, certainly not everyone’s taste, and use it for all meals, everyday and celebratory.
Goes well with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and it just makes me smile.
I can’t imagine my children wanting it, but this is frankly, for me.
I couldn’t part with my mom’s fine china even though I had my own, until I met a disabled veteran and his new bride, who had no big wedding, lots of challenges with the VA healthcare system, and not much money. Now they have my mom’s china and I am happy!