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Shopping for the right crystal barware doesn't have to be
overwhelming. Crystal for the bar comes in many different shapes
and sizes, and each has a particular purpose. Knowing which
pieces are right for your needs, and knowing how to care for
your crystal properly, will help you acquire and maintain the
perfect set of barware. Just follow these simple steps. Before
you buy:
1. Select a variety of drinking glasses As a rule I recommend
buying enough glasses to match the number of your fine china and
flatware settings. However, if you want to save and buy fewer of
the items you don't expect to use as much, or if you think
you'll need more of another item, breaking this rule makes
sense. Know a lot of wine drinkers? You may want to concentrate
on wine glasses and stemware and build a good collection of
these. Are your friends more likely to drink a beer than have a
shot? Concentrate on beer mugs, steins, and pilsner glasses and
cut back on shot glasses. Correctly anticipating your barware
needs will enable you to spend more efficiently and have the
right pieces on hand for any occasion.
2. Choose the right serving vessels It will be important to have
a variety of serving vessels to properly present all the drinks
you want to serve. Carafes for wine, decanters for liquor,
pitchers for non-alcoholic drinks, and water sets will look
elegant in crystal. Impress your guests by serving from crystal
containers rather than the bottle.
3. Don't forget the ice bucket When you're entertaining, a
crystal ice bucket placed on the bar adds an elegant touch to
your presentation.
4. Personalize it Want your barware to stand apart from the
rest? Personalize it by etching your initials, monogram, or name
on the crystal to make your collection truly unique. Personalize
your entire set to make each piece special, or personalize just
your serving vessels and ice bucket. (A personalized pitcher,
ice bucket, or set of wine glasses will also make a great gift!)
After you've bought your barware:
5. Pay attention to temperature Crystal is very sensitive to
temperature changes. Always pour warm beverages into a glass
that has been warmed, and put ice and cold beverages in glasses
that have been chilled.
6. Clean it properly Glassware is delicate and requires special
care. Wash it with warm water and a small amount of detergent
then rinse with cold water. Polish your glassware with a
lint-free cloth, and be careful not to leave fingerprints when
serving. If you have softened water don't put your crystal in
the dishwasher. The softened water will permanently etch the
crystal with cloudy marks.
7. Store it right side up Crystal's delicate edges can be
damaged if hung upside down. Always store your crystal barware
right side up.
GA-002
About the author:
J. Newton is the President of LastingSentiments.com, a
multigenerational retailer of personalized products. With over
35 years of operating experience, LastingSentiments is a
specialist in the engraving, etching and imprinting business.
Visit their website today at http://www.lastingsentiments.com to
buy personalized gifts online, including crystal barware, for
yourself or for friends and family.
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