It doesn’t matter whether you choose to buy the less formal but high quality stainless steel or the more formal silver plated or sterling silver flatware, when you give it as a gift for a housewarming or wedding, you are giving something a family can use for long into the future.

There is a distinct difference between low and high grade flatware. High quality flatware is not only more attractive, but there is also a distinct difference in the taste of the food being eaten. Food simply tastes better. Every family should have two sets:

Informal Flatware

High quality stainless steel flatware has a few distinctive qualities. The best stainless steel is heavy because it is made of thick steel. The thinner the steel is rolled; the more the quality plunges. The fork tines should be rounded. This causes the tines to feel better in the mouth than a sharper, lower quality piece. The blades on the knives should be made with a large amount of carbon in the blade. This makes the blade stay sharper for long periods of time. It may never need to be sharpened. The serrated type is actually serrated because the quality of the blade is not as good and wouldn’t otherwise cut through meats and breads.

Formal for Special Occasions

Sterling silver, most commonly called “the good silver”, when made in the right manner is astoundingly superb in looks and function. This is the formal wear. It is meant to be brought out on special occasions such as holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, or an occasion where special guests are invited for dinner. There are some who use their set everyday. If one is careful to wash and dry their set properly immediately after use, one will have to polish it once or twice a year.

While it is not as high in quality as sterling silver, the silver plated flatware does make a nice choice as well. It is not as expensive as sterling silver but neither is it cheap. “Silver plated” means that stainless steel has been coated with a thin layer of silver. It can grow in value and is generally considered to be a nice set of formal flatware.

“The good silver” is brought out on special occasions. Many people remember feeling excitement when their mothers broke out the silver. The good china and the crystal usually accompany the formal silverware. A table set in this manner with high thread count linen napkins along with the place settings is meant to be impressive. When it all comes together, there is an elegant atmosphere about meal time that is a level above that of an ordinary day. If a set is not already owned, this type of flatware is the perfect gift for a silver wedding anniversary, a wedding or a housewarming. Engaged couples should remember to put both types in their gift registry.

If someone you are close to is getting married, be sure to check their gift registry for their choice of flatware. Other occasions for giving flatware include birthdays, graduations and holidays. A great set of sterling silver is often given on a couple’s silver wedding anniversary. Not only are these occasions great opportunities for giving formal flatware, but they are also the perfect occasions for using it.

Consult with someone who has experience with table settings such as a hostess or a flatware dealer before you make up your mind about flatware. Without quality pieces of flatware, an otherwise dressed up table is missing an important ingredient. Your gift of distinguished and attractive flatware will continue to be cherished for years into the future.