Nearly 60% of homeowners have never used their ‘special occasion’ items

Homeowners want each time to consciousness for illustration a typical occasion.

A caller study has recovered nan mean homeowner waits astir 3 decades earlier breaking retired typical juncture items — truthful what’s stopping them?

The caller canvass of 2,000 U.S. homeowners recovered that, crossed each procreation from Gen Zers to babe boomers, 2 successful 3 (68%) said they wish they could unrecorded each time for illustration a typical occasion, and 58% said if it were practical, they’d usage their “special occasion” items each azygous day.

A mostly of homeowners (79%) person items they clasp dear, group speech only for typical occasions, and 69% of whom reserve vulnerable and intricate items specified arsenic dishes and glassware.

Commissioned by SMEG USA and conducted by Talker Research, nan study revealed that 64% of homeowners person ne'er touched these typical juncture items, leaving them to cod particulate waiting for nan “right” moment.

In fact, 54% person ne'er moreover utilized a “special occasion” point because nan correct infinitesimal hasn’t yet travel up.

The study recovered 1 imaginable explanation: 48% authorities that they don’t usage their typical juncture items each time because they are worried astir damaging them, and 45% opportunity they’re impractical to usage daily.

Four successful 10 group (42%) judge that galore of their dishes and glassware request to beryllium washed by manus — particularly items for illustration vintage dishware, dishes made from unsocial materials, and items made from sterling silver.

While 29% said they lavation these things by manus aft each use, a mostly (57%) take to lavation their uncommon dishes and glasses connected a regular basis, sloppy of whether it was utilized aliases not.

One successful 5 (21%) lavation them monthly, while 36% lavation weekly.

Many admitted to owning items that they cognize could technically beryllium put successful nan dishwasher, but still take to lavation by hand.

“Don’t fto nan fearfulness of cleanup and attraction return distant from your joyousness successful utilizing nan typical items from astir your kitchen,” said Mattia Sala, merchandise head astatine SMEG USA. “Beautiful dishes, glassware, and cookware tin thief make an mean time consciousness extraordinary, and modern room exertion makes it easier to attraction for these cherished items.”

Homeowners take to prevention typical items, for illustration crockery and glassware, for nan bigger highlights successful their lives. According to nan study, this includes typical occasions for illustration vacation gatherings (70%), anniversaries (65%), getting joined (57%), milestone birthdays (56%), and graduations (50%).

When reasoning astir nan future, 83% of group pinch typical items said they’ll walk them down to their children, grandchildren, and different family members. In fact, 41% person purchased items pinch nan volition of making them a family heirloom.

Some respondents shared that their heirlooms-in-the-making included candy dishes, crystal glassware, and vases.

Sala continued, “An easy spot to statesman making mean days consciousness bonzer is successful nan room – by doing elemental things specified arsenic utilizing your collectible cookware connected a value scope designed for outstanding cooking results, chilling your finest vintage to perfection successful a vino cooler that looks sleek successful your kitchen, and utilizing your favourite stemware to elevate a weekday meal.”

“Then, bask nan benefits of loading it each into a well-quipped dishwasher that tin grip everything from nan bulkiest pots and pans to delicate items truthful that you person much clip to bask nan finer things successful your life each day.”

What are group bringing retired their very champion dishes and glasses for?

• Holiday gatherings – 70%
• Anniversaries – 65%
• Getting joined – 57%
• Milestone birthdays – 56%
• Graduating – 50%
• Getting engaged – 41%

• Having a kid – 41%
• Buying my first location – 36%
• Having guests complete – 36%
• Funerals/wakes – 32%
• Getting a caller job, promotion aliases raise – 32%
• Moving successful pinch my partner – 16%
• Getting divided – 10%

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American homeowners; nan study was commissioned by SMEG and administered and conducted online by Talker Research betwixt Aug. 21 and Aug. 27, 2025.