aashley333

I don't own service for 30! In a large crowd, we go disposable. Smaller groups, I avoid disposable. Out by the pool, must not be breakable!

Gemm

We don't entertain much any more, but we used to host a Christmas gathering for 30-40+ and would generally rent dishes for that: wine glasses, dinnerware, cutlery. For smaller gatherings around real occasions, we always went formal - china, silver, linens. We still have a service for eight.

Stitchnripper

We rarely use disposables. Dishwasher works and we have no ailments or impairments to preclude handwashing pots. We have Thanksgiving and Passover at family in PNW and we always use the daughter in laws wedding china, silver and crystal. New dishwasher so it all goes in. I don't think the silver does. I sometimes spruce up the silver but its special box does a great job. We have around 14 people each time. They do run the dishwasher a bunch of times but doesn't seem to be a big deal.

lberna

I love fine china but when the whole family is here, it’s disposable plates. I do use my silverware and glasses. It’s just so much easier to use disposables.

wesing

i must be related to your husband. I hate disposables. My family must have a dish sickness. Mom had several sets of china and dishes. My sister has several sets. My brother asked for my grandmother’s china. We have Fiesta and a set of ironstone type china, and I kept one of Mom’s sets. My wife would use disposable for every meal if I weren’t here. To each his/her own.

Still Sew N

For our folks 50th anniversary, one of us wanted real plates, real table cloths. The rest of us were on the plastic table cloths, disposable idea. When the event was said and done, we literally rolled up the plastic table cloths with everything inside and off to the garbage it went. The event was amazing and went so well. I doubt anyone could remember if they had disposable items or real items.

Mkotch

Our Solid Waste Management district office has real dishes and silverware that people can borrow, wash, and return for others to use. I've been to a few events where the organizers used it, but I did not volunteer to do the washing! It's a lot of work for the users, but if you are concerned about the environment, it's a really good idea. Not sure if all SWMs around the country do this.

LGJARN52

I was left with my mothers fine china, beautiful dinnerware of blue and gray roses and trimmed out in silver trim. They sit in the bottom of the china hutch because I have no where else to store them. They have never been used by me. When I remarried 9 years ago, we intermixted his Correlle with mine, some plain white, some blue and a few green floral. Really tired of looking at those because I know that my set is now at least 53 years old! Maybe I should ask Santa for new dishes this year???
Paper plates and utensils are used for his race club parties (all guys) beccause it's held out in his gigantic work shop. The only plastic utensils I will use is a spork from Taco Bell.

Onebyone

My husband and I each have a favorite coffee mug, and I think that is the only non-disposable item we use other than flatware. I detest dealing with dirty dishes. Believe me I have probably washed thousands sink full of dirty dishes. Not anymore. I have gotten where I find emptying the dishwasher annoying and that is mostly cookware.

ptquilts

I don't really have "events" but I do use my good dishes everyday. They were my parents' wedding china and our Sunday dishes when I was growing up. After my parents had both passed, they were stored in my sister's barn for 25 years before I took possession of them again. Not really china, just fancy transferware dishes (Johnson Bros.)

ETA - my cousin wound up with 4 sets of "good" dishes from her parents and inlaws. She has 2 daughters she would like to pass them down to - neither one wants them.