Why You Should Use Your Good China

If you’ve been with me for a minute on Instagram, you know I loooooove my Buy Nothing Group. I love giving stuff away and purging. And while I’m usually trying not to bring more into the house, I’ve scored a few amazing things… like a bread machine.

The spirit of Buy Nothing is not about just dumping your stuff on others, though. It’s about creating a gifting economy and sharing your bounty. I know this because I read the book. There’s a book! It’s pretty enlightening and reminds you of the true intention of the group and ways to keep your consumption and waste down.

One thing they talk about that really resonated with me is to “use your special things and don’t just leave them in a cupboard.” Why save them for that once a year event if they make you happy? Make use of what you already have instead of getting more every day versions of it.

As soon as I read it, I took out the cutlery we got for our wedding and it became our every day stuff. It’s not even that fancy, but they were still in their original boxes for 7 years! And when friends come over or the kids want tea, we have a tea party in the fanciest china that my mom spontaneously bought me at an estate sale.

Use what you have, let it make you happy, and make it work. That’s zero waste.