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( V 10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, February 10,1993 Section Two With people spending more time at home and the return to entertaining as an art form, sterling flatware is rising to the top of the "most wanted" list for today's brides and grooms. While sales of other luxury items have fallen during these economic times, the Silver Information Center reports an increased desire and demand for sterlingware. "Historically, during recessionary periods, sterling flatware sales have been up," says Linda Meehan, the Center's director. "Consumers become more value conscious, conscious, purchasing traditional, quality products of investment potential and longevity. For generations, silver flatware flatware and other articles have been passed down with a sense of pride and. family history," adds Meehan. Unlike the past, lifestyles and attitudes attitudes have changed. Today's sterling- ware is for everyday -- a casual gathering gathering with friends or a romantic dinner for two. Choosing which pattern to register for and buy is a serious decision and a matter solely of personal preference. Sterlingware shopping tips •Sterling silver vs. silver plate -- With sterling silver, you get die value inherent in a precious commodity and the look of luxury. Prices vary for individual individual patterns. However, the quality of sterling is uniform. "Sterling" stamped on flatware means the piece meets the U.S. standard for solid silver: silver: 925 parts silver to 75 parts alloy, such as copper, for added strength. Silver plated flatware is made of an alloy of nickel, copper or brass, coated with a layer of pure silver. Although it is less expensive than sterling and has the sterling "look," it will wear out in time, and professional replating is expensive. • Sterling flatware costs -- Despite popular belief, you don't have to be bom w Flatware with a silver spoon in your mouth to afford it. Most patterns cost from about $120 to $250 for a four-piece place setting setting in the "American" or "place" size. For those who prefer the larger "continental" "continental" or "dinner" size, prizes start at about $300 per place setting. • Pattern fashions -- When selecting a pattern, determine your personal taste and style: traditional or contemporary, ornate or simple. There is a variety of patterns to choose from: classic baroque, rococo, provincial and English eighteenth eighteenth century, traditional American patterns, patterns, modem Scandinavian and contemporary contemporary designs. • Choosing a pattern -- In addition to examining its pleasing appearance, hold it, comparing weight and balance of pieces from each pattern. Study the shapes of spoon bowls. Fork tines should be even and have rounded edges. Look at the lines and contour of the piece. Are the edges smooth? Is the finish even? Pattern should be clean and precise. It should be comfortable in your hand and feel neither too large nor too small. • What to get first -- Depending on budget and entertaining needs, most silver collections consist of four to 12 place settings, plus several serving pieces. An individual place setting may comprise of four, five or six utensils. The four-piece setting includes a knife, fork, salad fork and teaspoon. 1 The five-piece setting adds a soup spoon; the six-piece, an individual butter spreader. •Sterling servers -- Successful entertaining requires the basics in both flatware and serving pieces. There is no rule .whether serving pieces must match the flatware pattern; it's a matter of personal choice. Some essential and multi-purpose serving accessories' include a cold meat fork, tablespoon, pierced serving spoon, gravy ladle, pie server and sugar spoon. •Care and storage -- Don't be afraid to dine with sterling daily; it will last forever. Constant use prevents tarnish, tarnish, and tiny scratches incurred over the years actually enhance the patina or finish, which is an integral part of silver's silver's charm mid character. Remember to. rotate pieces so the patina develops evenly. If used regularly, sterlingware needs to be polished just once or twice a year. Any non-abrasive brand-name paste or liquid polish will do, but chemical dips should be avoided; Clean sterling' promptly after usage, especially after contact with eggs and acidic foods. Wash flatware in hot, sudsy water, followed by a rinse in hot, clear water, and dry with a soft cloth. Then store it in a tightly closed drawer or chest lined with a tarnish-proof cloth. WB929446 -- : m 10% Discount on Invitations and Party Decorations with this ad. ($100.00 purchase and more) Tradition and the contemporary wedding wedding are a heaven made match as today's bride includes the romantic customs of the past with current trends. Too often though, traditions are not known or understood. Here are three popular and royal traditions originating from English and European custom. They are certain to add romance and charm to your wedding day. A special custom just'for your- bridesmaids and widely followed in the traditional wedding, is the custom of ribbon pulling. The bride acquires six special bridesmaids' charms: a> ring, a flower (or fleur-de-lis), a heart, a clover, an anchor, and a rocking horse (the English used a thimble). A thin blue ribbon is then tied to each charm as each is hidden in the wed ding cake's outside edge of frosting. The bridesmaids then take turns selecting a charm. The bridesmaid's fortune is foretold by the charm she draws from the cake. The ring symbolizes the next to marry and the rocking horse who will have a "happy home." The anchor symbolizes a future of adventure, the heart of tme love forthcoming, and the clover of good luck." Presentation of each charm in special jewelry boxes is an accepted variation of this tradition. The next tradition originated in the Victorian Age of England. The commonly heard wedding poem "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Lucky Sixpence for Your Shoe" is perhaps the most widely followed nup tial custom, but the least understood... , Each line of the poem has unique significance to the wedding. "Something "Something Old" and "Borrowed" are items usually given to the bride by a loved one to bring happiness to the new marriage. marriage. "Something New" -- often' her gown -- represents the bride's acceptance acceptance of new life. As for the "Something Blue," its origins can be traced to the rhyme "Those who dress in blue have lovers true." The last line of the poem, "And a Lucky Sixpence for Your Shoe", has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, with its story becoming more widely known and followed. In (He Victorian Era, brides began to place'a sixpence in the heel of the left wedding wedding slipper to ensure wealth and good fortune to the newlywed couple. ' ' 1 : ! For Your Special Event Wedding Parties Available to Rent... • Dishes • Linens • Champagne Fountain • Glassware • Candelabra • Decorative Lamps • Wishing Wells • Tables and Chairs • Tents and Canopies Available for Sale ... • Decorative Pom Poms • Cake Wraps • Invitations • Hall Decorations • Balloon Bouquets and Much More! Our wedding consultant will be pleased to help. WL King and Scugog Streets, Bowmanville Telephone 623-9838 \ ' • y Weddings, Anniversaries and all occasions 3 books to choose from (books may be taken overnight) FREE Wedding photo and write-up in s&t Cattaîrtatt g ta tt smart with each invitation order V '! For the Men in Your Wedding "DOING IT RIGHT starts with the Groom ... and Canada's Best Dressed Grooms » start with FREEMAN FORMALWEAR Pick up your 1993 75th ANNIVERSARY FREEMAN FORMAL WEAR CATALOGUE 34A Temperance Street N. Bowmanville 623-6124