Welcome to the 885th Tablescape Thursday! Many, many years ago, guessing it’s been over 15 years now, I was walking through the china/crystal department in Dillard’s Department store in Perimeter Mall in Atlanta. It was the Christmas season, and the store was bustling with excited, happy shoppers. The china department was no different, with shoppers lined up behind the checkout desk, arms filled with goodies, and sales clerks working as fast as they could to help everyone.
It was in the midst of all that happy chaos that I first laid eyes on a beautiful display of Waterford 12 Days of Christmas champagne flutes, all beautifully tucked inside their impressive, tall, Christmas-red boxes. I’m sure my eyes must have been as big as saucers! Everything looked and felt magical, and I can still feel that same excitement as I think back on that day.
An elegantly dressed, older gentleman was working that day in the Dillard’s china department. He was busy helping ring up customers while answering questions that were being thrown at him by all the happy shoppers. When he was finally free for a moment, he and I chatted about the Waterford Christmas flutes. I loved learning that each flute was designed in a different Waterford crystal pattern. I had been collecting Araglin up to that point, and I liked the idea of having a pretty champagne flute in the Araglin pattern, along with 11 additional Waterford designs.
I would have loved to purchase the entire set of flutes during that visit, but I was also interested in the beautiful, red Waterford hock goblets that were also on display. The full collection of flutes alone would have been over $1,000. That was a lot back then, and still is. Looking back, that Dillard’s shopping trip must have been around 2010 because the information I’m finding online today states that the flutes were initially introduced at the rate of two per year, with the collection completing (and retiring) in 2010. I remember when I saw the set that day in Dillard’s, the entire collection was available for purchase. If I had known that Waterford would retire it after that year, I’m sure I would have thought more seriously about purchasing the complete set. In the end, I purchased days 1-6 and six of the Waterford ruby hock glasses.
I’ve always wanted to complete the collection. From time to time, I log onto eBay to see if someone is selling days 7-12. Over the years, two things have become apparent: 1. A lot of people did exactly what I did and only purchased days 1-6 when they were available. Days 1-6 are pretty easy to find for semi-reasonable prices on eBay, but good luck finding Days 7-12 for anywhere near what they originally cost in the store. 2. Finding a single auction that includes all 6 of the remaining flutes that I need, days 7-12, ain’t ever gonna happen.
With Christmas just a few months away, I decided to take a look at what’s currently available on eBay. I was happily surprised to find a Day 7 flute (Seven Swans a Swimming) available for a reasonable price. The flute was listed in perfect condition with all its paperwork, with only the box showing a bit of wear from storage. That made sense since the boxes for the flutes that I currently have show a bit of wear from storage, too.
The seller had 100% feedback after 1,400+ sales. Excellent! It’s always important to check that feedback. The sticker on the box showed that the flute was originally purchased in Macy’s for $85. The listing was for $65, if I’m remembering correctly. There was a button to make an offer, so I offered $55.00, and my offer was accepted. In the end, I paid $71.38, including tax and shipping.
So, hopefully I’ll soon have a Day #7 flute to add to my existing collection of Days 1-6. Update: If you have always wanted to acquire this collection for your holiday dinners and parties, I just discovered a complete set of the flutes available here: Waterford 12 Days of Christmas Champagne Flutes.
I found another auction for Day 8 (Eight Maids a Milking), and though it was more than what I had paid for flute 7, the auction was still for much less than many of the others I saw on eBay. So, I took the plunge and purchased that one, too. That’s probably all the flutes I’ll add to my collection this year, but I’ll continue to keep my eye out for Days 9-12 in the years to come. I kinda like adding to the collection this way since it spreads out the cost.
Do you have a china or crystal collection that you are trying to complete? Did you buy the Waterford 12 Days of Christmas collection when it was available in store? Do you ever shop in Department stores at Christmastime? I haven’t done that in many years, but remembering all those happy, excited shoppers that day in Dillard’s has made me realize I miss it.
Looking forward to all the wonderful table settings linked below for this week’s Tablescape Thursday!
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I hope 7 and 8 arrive safely! I think the days of shopping that you describe are long gone. I liked going into the smaller stores at Christmas and most of those stores are gone. So much online shopping with your computer now. Even the fun of making up Christmas boxes for family far away is no longer possible with the postage rates and with Amazon prime ready to ship “free” why not. I collect glass birds for Christmas and I can remember finding the special ones each year (going back 56 years) and being in the store with all the decorations, etc. Now it’s hard to even find a glass bird and I no longer collect. Beautiful tables with your glassware!
It’s kinda sad to see the malls so empty. It used to be fun to spend a few hours there shopping for new clothes or housewares. Thanks, Kathleen! I’ll try to set a table with the new flutes included this year.
So pretty – I have a collection of a Waterford pattern made in Ireland – my kids aren’t interested, and I don’t entertain like I used to. Perhaps you can try Replacements (dot) com to look for your remaining flutes !
I don’t entertain much now, but I still love to use those special seasonal pieces when I have family over. Gotta use “the good stuff” now since every day is special.
O, ‘”Waterford”…just the name…I started “Alana” in the 70s.. AB Schou, GEM stores, overseas travel, etc. Then came decanters, vases, etc. Someday, someone w/see them om ebay I presume…then they can hear that pure pitch ring when tapping w/a toast. franki
Use those beauties now, Franki! Enjoy them to the fullest!
Oh those are beautiful Susan! How fun that you’ve been collecting over the years – it’s so rewarding. I actually love shopping in person, especially for the holidays. You’re right about the happy and excited vibe of shopping in December. Thanks for the inspiration and for hosting. Hope you have a great rest of the week!
I want to do some of that this year, shop in person even if my gifts for friends and family are already under the tree. Thanks, Barbara! Hope you have a great weekend!
So beautiful! My mom had a few of the Powers Court pattern but after her divorce from my Dad, she fell on some hard times and sold them to a friend. I was too young then to know anything about them. I don’t entertain like that anyway but there is nothing like the sparkle of crystal.
I’m sorry she had to sell those, Lynda. Even if you don’t entertain, it’s fun to have a few pieces that you can enjoy. It can make a blah day feel a bit more special.
Hi Susan, I swear we may be sisters from a different mother..lol…I collected the entire flute collection many, many years ago, have kept all the boxes, and love Waterford. I collect the Lismore Waterford and I have quite a few pieces of it. Tom and I were able to tour the House of Waterford store in Ireland when we were there a couple years ago. We were able to watch how they make the beautiful pieces they create. Also all of my 12 days of Christmas flutes from many, many years ago were also signed by the master craftsman themselves.
Wow, that’s awesome, Brenda! I think when I visited Ireland as part of a tour, I believe we stopped by the Waterford store. My memory isn’t the greatest, but I do remember us visiting there, although it was a brief trip. I think they told us that their crystal is primarily being manufactured elsewhere now, except for a few items that are still being made there, like Corporate awards, things like that. I can’t remember where the crystal is being made now. Pretty sure the 12 Days of Christmas flutes were all made in Ireland, since those were manufactured so long ago. That’s wonderful that your flutes were signed by the craftsman themselves! Love that!
Tom and I like to collect the Christmas ornaments too. We have a small vintage tree we display them on.
Oh Susan, I am so tempted to purchase the whole collection you referenced. I have a set of dishes I have never used the 12 days of Christmas. I also purchased last year from a Christmas shop in my town another item related to The 12 days of Christmas. I have a 12 days of Christmas drum which is a cookie jar from Williams Sonoma years ago.
I’ve never seen the whole set available on eBay, so was surprised to find that! I do use mine every year for our Christmas dinner and on Christmas Day when I serve the champagne punch that we like so much. I’ve even used them for Thanksgiving. They are too pretty to leave on the shelf.
I just checked the tree, I purchased from a Christmas shop in my town last year is by Kurt Alder. It is a gold metal tree with 12 ornaments.
That sounds so pretty, Elinda!
I too remember fondly the thrill of the china & crystal department at Christmas when stocked to the rafters. I pushed my 9 month old daughter in her stroller through a Macy’s china department, she slept through the entire time.
It was wonderful! Unfortunately, especially since Covid, there are no china & crystal departments anymore. I expect my generation (1956) is the last to not mind handwashing glasses, plates and flatware. Now, if it can’t be cleaned in the dishwasher, they don’t want it. Just look at all of it in consignment and antique stores. My daughter (36) will accept some Waterford since her father is from an Irish lineage, but no interest in polishing flatware (I find polishing very calming and tranquil). We bought Powercourt in three sizes about 15 years ago on Ebay, and the prices were excellent because no one wanted them anymore. Such a shame. I appreciate that your blog celebrates the homey crafts that are disappearing and it is comforting to know that other women enjoy the same.
Thanks, Catherine!Awww, what a beautiful memory! I love that! I haven’t shopped in a mall in so long, I didn’t realize they had removed those. That’s sad. I wonder if the larger malls still have them. Now I want to visit a mall to see.
I’m the same way; one of my favorite things to do is to wash up those special pieces that I don’t want to place in the dishwasher after a party is over. I love thinking back about the party and just enjoying the moment. I don’t even mind polishing silver when it needs it.
I wonder if things will eventually change, and the younger generations will want to add a few of those “fancier” pieces to their entertaining. I bet there are some good bargains to be found on eBay!
Hello Susan,
I am a long time reader of your lovely website and a dishaholic. I did not say recovering dishaholic! LOL In reply to what members of your online community collect, I was gifted a set of Cristal D’Arques Longchamp glassware: champagne flutes, wine glasses, and water goblets, as a wedding gift 44 years ago. I finally decided to donate to a thrift store, as I no longer used them (not dishwasher safe!) Not long afterwards, I stumbled on a high end store nearby selling new sets of this glassware for a considerable price. I thought my husband was going to have apoplexy! Anyway, hopefully some new bride went to the thrift store and bought my set to enjoy. Your Waterford flutes are beautiful. Kind regards, Janet
lol Yes, let’s not be recovering! 🙂
That was so nice of you to donate those. I’m sure someone was happy to get them and appreciated your generous donation.
Sadly, most of Waterford’s Crystal is now made in China. There is one former Waterford master craftsman who opened his own shop in Dingle, Ireland. Sean Daly at https://dinglecrystal.ie/ He gets his blanks from former Waterford crystal suppliers in Waterford City.
That is a shame. Thankfully, the older pieces that I’m buying on eBay now are all from the time they were made in Ireland.
I will check out his website, thanks for the link!
Sorry! I hit send before I was done typing! Sean is now training his sons to follow in his footsteps, so if you want the former Waterford quality, that’s where you can get it. He’s created his own patterns, though. Sean also creates a bowl for the White House every year as a gift from the Irish people.
Wow, what a wonderful thing to do!
Love your flutes!
With malls empty and stores leaving we are getting a new department store in this area. Boscov is coming our way and I am going to a private shopping day on October 30. I’m not familar with this retailer and, hopefully, someone out there can give me some input as to what to expect! I hear they may have a china dept!
I’m not familiar with that store either. It’s sad to see all the malls emptying out.