Updated on January 24th, 2025
I still have, and use, dinner plates from the ’70s. You may know the ones I’m talking about: White plates with green daises dotting the edge.
Bold and beautiful plates they are not, but what can I say? I inherited them when I got my first apartment. And though I’ve moved on in life, the plates have stuck around.
Sure, they’re cute in a vintage “what’s old is new again” kind of way but who I am kidding? After a while, the joke about being born in the 70s gets old. Sigh.
Time to spice things up in the dishware department. While I won’t be tossing my vintage memories, I do plan on buying some bold and beautiful plates to bring my ladies’ night parties into this decade.
My goal is to create a more festive mood with a non-traditional and fun style. Goodbye typical round plates or box-bought sets found in every other kitchen. Break into the world of unusual shaped plates, different textures, brighter colors, and unexpected designs.
Plates for parties: What you need
A few unique serving, salad, and dinner plates for a small get-together do the trick.
All it takes to make table settings pop are a handful of eye-catching plates tossed in the mix. Just like in fashion: Breaking away from our comfort zone with bolder styles can do wonders.
If you need a shopping list to consider, here you go:
- Three or four appetizer serving plates. These can be mismatched in size and pattern. The variation supports a fun party vibe.
- Four to eight salad plates, depending on how many guests you like to entertain. You can go matchy here or not. Mismatched salad plates are a conversation starter and add some whimsy to the atmosphere. Matching plates are more formal.
- Four to eight dinner, bread, and dessert plates. I like mismatched dessert plates, but this is another choice to make based on what you like.
As you shop, think about the features you need for your party plates. Convenience demands most of them should be dishwasher safe. You may also want them to be microwavable and, possibly, oven safe.
Plates to make table settings pop
So yes, I’m ready to move my good ‘ole daisy plates to the other side of the cabinet and introduce my kitchen table — and my friends — to upgraded plates. Below are some plate styles that caught my eye.
- EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE OF…
- AVOID POOR QUALITY PORCELAIN OR…
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- EASY TO CLEAN LUNCHEON PLATES:…
- FOOD WON’T SPILL: Our porcelain…
- HIT PAUSE JUST GOT SWIRLY 🌀:…
- LEAD FREE ALL NATURAL GLAZE: We…
- CRYSTALLIZED SCRATCH RESISTANT…
- CERAMIC WITH 20% STRONGER PALADIN…
- MORA’S PROMISE: We provide a free…
- 【Design That Delights】These cat…
- 【Perfect for Any Occasion】Ideal…
- 【Safe and Durable】Made of lead…
- 【Microwave & Dishwasher…
- 【Gift-Ready Packaging】Each…
- Modern Aesthetic Design: A nice…
- Easy To Clean And Stackable:…
- Superior Quality: Delling white…
- Versatile in Application – Each…
- Creative Gift: Delling elegant…
- VERSATILE DESSERT PLATES – Diameter…
- ENJOY THE JOYFUL COLOR & DESIGN -…
- STURDY & HEALTHY PORCELAIN – Our…
- STACKABLE & EASY TO CLEAN – These…
- PERFECT PRESENTS – The gorgeous and…
- 【CLASSY & FUNCTIONAL DESIGN】 it…
- 【LEAD FREE EAT SAFTY】Our plates…
- 【UNIQUE AND SCRATCH RESISTANT】…
- 【OVEN & DISHWASHER SAFE】Our…
- 【PERFECT SIZE & IDEL GIFT】 This…
- Vibrant Appetizer Plates: The…
- Versatile Colorful Dessert Plates:…
- Sturdy & Scratch-Resistant: The…
- Space-Efficient: The ceramic…
- Great Gifts Options: These…
More resources for parties
Here are some good resources to support your party planning:
- How to set a table by Real Simple. This post covers basic, casual, and formal table settings, including some with multiple plate sizes.
- The best and simplest food ideas for friendsgiving by BlogChef. This post includes a full menu for friendsgiving and similar occasions.
- 3 no-fail Super Bowl party menus by BlogChef. This post includes three menus, ranging from family friendly to a full make-ahead option.
Plate it up
Fun, mismatched plates are excellent party decorations and conversation starters. This could be the detail you need to make sure your gatherings are the parties everyone wants to attend.