| | | |  | |  | | Quality – Pronunciation: 'kwä-l&-tE
Function: adjective; a: degree of excellence :
b: superiority in kind (merchandise of quality)
c: a distinguishing attribute (possesses many fine qualities)
Trendy – Pronunciation: 'tren-dE Function: adjective; marked by ephemeral, superficial, or faddish appeal or taste | | |  | |  | |  | | It's time to celebrate! You're getting married. That not only means the union of two special people, but also the fun of choosing great gifts for your home.
Everyone wants fun items for their home, but when you register, it's also important to make sure you've chosen products that will stand the test of time, in terms of brand, design and quality. In fact, choosing better items can be more fun because you are often stepping outside the boundaries of simple items that you wouldn't easily be able to afford on your own. There's a reason fine tableware has been a traditional bridal gift for close to a century. Guests like to believe that they are investing in the future of a newly married couple with significant gifts that will last a lifetime. | | | | |  | |  | Reliable Brand Names – Don't recognize or can't find the brand name? This might be your first red flag. How can you know the quality if you can't identify the manufacturer? All Lenox products bear the Lenox name and logo on the back. | | | Heritage – Choose a company whose history of quality can be traced back many years. Lenox has been a well-respected name in the tabletop business for over 100 years! Ask around. You might be surprised to find that your mom, grandmother and various other acquaintances have owned Lenox products for years. So, join the club of those in the know! | | | Longevity – Choose patterns which have stood the test of time and will not be discontinued next season because the 'trend' is over. What's the average life span of a pattern? It depends. But many popular Lenox patterns can trace their roots back over decades. For instance, Eternal and Solitaire were first introduced in 1965, and Lenox Autumn dates back to 1919. You expect your love to last a lifetime — why not expect the same of your china? | | | Exceptional Durability – Products should provide lasting durability throughout the years with proper care. Products should retain their design, details and finish. Fine china is strong. It is also durable. It can go in the dishwasher. So can sterling silver. It all adds up to more frequent use than just special occasions. | | | Exceptional Design – You want patterns that can grow and change with your style — not keep you in a time warp. Beautiful, classic, stylish, simple or complex — these designs will always have lasting appeal without looking easily dated. | | | Availability – Quality manufacturers, products and designs will last for many years. Pieces that need to be replaced for possible breakage, or expanded as your family grows, are more likely to be available. It's fun to register for less expensive trendy pieces as accents, but don't expect to find those items again in five years, or even next year, if you need more. | | |  | | | |  | |  | | | If you grew up in a family where fine china, crystal or silver was used only for special occasions, then step out of the box. There's no reason why you can't use your better tableware more frequently. In fact, a beautifully set table often makes everyone feel more special. It's that extra measure of care that makes people believe you think they're worth it — whether you're serving Baked Lasagna or Beef Wellington. | |  | | | Show your financial savvy. Penny for penny, what could be more practical than using the more expensive items you own every day? The cost per use ratio is a lot more reasonable on items you use and enjoy regularly. It makes more sense to use your better quality products frequently as they're better-equipped to sustain continual use. Also, most better quality products come with at least a basic warranty to guarantee their quality throughout the years. Face it — less expensive items often have a tendency to fall apart under repeated use. | | |  | | | |  | |  | | This will ensure you receive the help you need to thoroughly answer questions about registering. Also, these stores generally provide the greatest selection of products.
So, don't be afraid to register for trendier items, but keep it in perspective. Trends come and go, but classic design stands the test of time. Accent with some less expensive, trendy items, but focus the bulk of your registry on quality basics.
By insisting on quality, you'll ensure a lifetime of use from the special items that will mark the beginning of your grand, new life. What could be better? | |
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