• Dishes

• Stemware (Wine glasses, water goblets, champagne flutes. Shotglasses are not a staple item.)

• Barware (Pilsner glasses, hefty beer mugs, martini glasses, rocks glasses, etc.)

• Everyday glasses

• Flatware (Choose stainless steel for everyday use.)

• Formal flatware (Silver for entertaining.)

These are the basics, and depending on your love of or disdain for entertaining, you should think about sets of eight to twelve for each of these pieces. In addition, there are some extras for the table:

• Serving dishes

• Platters

• Soup tureen

• Gravy boat

• Chafing dish

• Salt and pepper shakers