One of the saddest things about buying glass is when the seller tells me “My kids don’t want this”, or the kids are selling “Auntie’s glass because no one wants it”. What a shame. Here are five things you can do to avoid this happening to your family.
1. Use your glass. This is the most important. If your kids never see your Rose Point crystal how will they know anything about it? If all you do is leave your Cameo depression glass in the cupboard and take it down to wash once a year, why would your kids think it is anything special? It will be just another chore, something to wash.
Cameo Green Depression Glass Compote
2. Talk about it when you use it. I know, your kids tune you out. Believe it or not, they do hear and they do take it to heart. If you mention where you got the glass or why you like it they will hear you. And if it has a family connection they will remember it even more. My Mom and Dad had a few pieces of Rose Point from their wedding which they rarely used. I knew they had it and I knew Mom liked it and that it went with her Rose Point sterling flatware. That’s surely one reason it meant something to me and why Dave and I purchased a set of stemware for ourselves.
Cambridge Rose Point 3400 Bon Bon Small Square Bowl
3. Have your kids help you with the glass. Ask them to help wash or dry or put away. Yes, it’s precious and they might break something, but if you want them to be comfortable with your treasures you need to let them touch and feel and see how pretty they are. If you treasure it, they will be careful.
4. Consider giving each child a special glass or a few pieces. I read about one family that purchased a set of depression glass for each child so they all had “their’ special dishes. You don’t have to go to that extreme, but you can let them choose a favorite pattern and pick up a tumbler or bowl or candle holder in that. Let them browse online with you and select their favorites. You could give them a piece then each birthday or Christmas.
Tiffin Line 81 Satin Green Candle Holder
5. When you are setting the table or decorating the home for a special time, like Christmas or a birthday, let your kids select which dishes and stemware to use or what candy dishes and candle holders to put out. They then feel a connection to it too.
Our daughter Deidra is doing this with her little girl. Deidra collects Federal Petal – and has an amazing collection of colors and pieces – and stemware from Maryland Glass. She and our granddaughter take the Petal out and Deidra let’s her hold it and ask questions. Deidra uses her glass too and lets her daughter help dry it and put it away. It’s now a mother-daughter bonding moment that makes every holiday special.
Federal Petal Sun Gold 6 Inch Plate