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How Do I... Choose Glassware for My Christmas Table?
Make your festive dining table sparkle with stunning glassware – our expert reveals how to buy with confidence
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning design and decorating questions. Here, Katerina Dominguez, marketing manager at Noritake Australia, provides some practical tips for selecting gorgeous glassware for your dining table this Christmas.
Image of IVV Speedy Goblet, Noritake
Which glasses should I use for a special occasion such as Christmas dinner?
For a formal Christmas dinner, set out drink-specific glasses for each person, including a water tumbler, champagne flute and a red- or white-wine glass. These can be in matching styles or you can mix the styles and colours for a more eclectic look.
Which glasses should I use for a special occasion such as Christmas dinner?
For a formal Christmas dinner, set out drink-specific glasses for each person, including a water tumbler, champagne flute and a red- or white-wine glass. These can be in matching styles or you can mix the styles and colours for a more eclectic look.
How do I choose the right style?
Take your cues from the tone and feel of the event. Fine stemware is better suited to formal dinners, while a casual meal outdoors calls for simple, stemless styles and plenty of colour and texture.
If you’ve decided to use coloured glasses, create a sense of cohesion on your tablescape by choosing colours that feature in your napery, dinnerware or centrepiece. To add texture to a plain table setting, choose etched or patterned glassware.
Take your cues from the tone and feel of the event. Fine stemware is better suited to formal dinners, while a casual meal outdoors calls for simple, stemless styles and plenty of colour and texture.
If you’ve decided to use coloured glasses, create a sense of cohesion on your tablescape by choosing colours that feature in your napery, dinnerware or centrepiece. To add texture to a plain table setting, choose etched or patterned glassware.
How do I assess the quality of glassware in-store?
- Look for good transparency and sparkle.
- Glassware should be lead-free.
- Handmade glassware is best.
- Glasses should feel comfortable and well-balanced in your hand.
- Seek out a trusted brand.
- Check where glassware is manufactured (much of the best glassware is from Europe).
What’s trending?
- Coloured glassware, particularly deep shades of green and blue as well as smoky taupe.
- Intricately textured and patterned glassware.
- Handmade, artisanal styles.
- Champagne saucers (wider and shallower than champagne flutes).
- Long, super-fine stems for formal occasions.
- Stemless wine glasses for casual dining.
- Frozen desserts served in goblets or martini glasses with flared rims.
Specialist glassware is popular right now as all things ‘cocktail hour’ continue to gain traction. Think martini glasses, curvaceous beer glasses and highball tumblers, all of which are sure to add a sense of occasion to a formal Christmas meal.
Image of IVV Sixties Glassware, Noritake
What’s the best way to wash and dry good glassware?
What’s the best way to wash and dry good glassware?
- Most quality glassware can be washed in the dishwasher, but it’s a good idea to check the instructions first.
- Place glasses securely in the upper rack of your dishwasher and don’t overload the machine.
- Remove lipstick by rubbing with a little salt before placing glasses in the dishwasher.
- Prevent glasses from becoming cloudy by keeping the rinse-aid solution in your dishwasher topped up.
- If glasses come out of the dishwasher cloudy or spotted, wipe over them with a cloth dipped in vinegar, then rinse off in cold water. Also check that you are using the right amount of detergent (not enough can cause spotting).
Tell us
In the Comments below, tell us what glassware you’ll be using this Christmas, like this story if you found it useful and join the conversation.
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Keen to embrace a Scandi theme for your festive dining table? Don’t miss this article on how to decorate in a Scandinavian Christmas style
In the Comments below, tell us what glassware you’ll be using this Christmas, like this story if you found it useful and join the conversation.
More
Keen to embrace a Scandi theme for your festive dining table? Don’t miss this article on how to decorate in a Scandinavian Christmas style
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That really comes down to the look and feel you want to create at your Christmas table. Quality glassware has several advantages over inferior glassware – it has superior sparkle and balance, it feels better in the hand and it will last longer than cheap styles.