Cool Glassware and Stemware for Your Party

Today we wanted to share some ideas we've had recently with our design team on cool glassware/stemware that can really add pizzazz to your party.

Plain clear glass stemware works for nearly any occasion; we've even seen and used this type of stemware at outdoor events if it went with the mood of the event.  Also, at large events like weddings, plain clear glass stemware is a less expensive option than stemware or glassware with designs or colors.

Particularly for small- to medium-sized events, though, you can add the cool-wow factor with stemware or glassware that features designs and/or colors.  We are thinking of goblets (wine goblets,  but also cordial and other "stemmed" drinkware) as well as glasses like tumblers, and cocktail glasses like martini glasses.

To add the cool-wow factor, first make sure that the glassware/stemware is glass and not plastic.  We only use plastic drinkware (or preferably a plant-based resin drinkware that looks like plastic, or bagasse, sugar-cane based drinkware that also resembles plastic) at events either where children will be present or where the event itself is extremely casual and any glassware/stemware would be out of place.

There are all kind of designs and colors in stemware/glassware available now that are really cool. 

Below, we provide some sources to get you started.

But first, a few thoughts.

• Very heavy goblets and glasses don't get used--they're too heavy, even if they look nice, and are a pain to lift and drink from. 
• If you want colored stemware/glassware, pick a color that you won't tire of and that goes with your decor. It may be fun to buy colored glasses for a specific party, but think beyond that to what you can use at least a few times a year, say at a party or two and maybe a holiday or two.
• Another idea is to get vintage glassware sets--At consignment shops and on Ebay and Etsy, or even at estate sales, and at excellent prices. Often these come in sets of two, four, six, or eight (we have bought and inherited many such) and it's fun for guests to choose their drinkware, kind of like a stemware sampler
• If you don't want colored glassware or stemware, colored or gilded (silver or gold) borders on glasses are also cool and come in designs from more formal to more mod

Some sources:

• www.zrike.com
• Oversized and textured and striped glassware/stemware: www.thefind.com
• www.overstock.com
• www.macys.com
• www.potterybarn.com
• www.crateandbarrel.com
• Great for comparison shopping: www.bizrate.com

And for great info and ideas on using colored wine glasses to make your event pop:
http://wine.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Colored_Wine_Glasses

Enjoy!

Kristina

Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com