TEA, ANYONE? HOW ABOUT FRAPPE?

Have you noticed that every-'thing' old is new again... 'Things and Stuff' come and go, but eventually everything comes around a second time. For example, Snack Sets. Do you remember in the olden days when no one used paper plates when they were entertaining? Particularly at bridal and baby showers, ladies luncheons (the 'ladies who lunch'), teas, book clubs and receptions... Snack sets were the way to go. Most of the ladies in the neighborhood had at least one set (usually more) and when someone was hosting an event (I don't think they called them 'events' back then, but anyway) the hostess would borrow enough sets to serve her guests. Each owner would put a little piece of tape on each of their plates and cups so they were sure to get them all back. Some ladies used a dot of nail polish to keep track of their snack sets. Mary might use red polish and Eleanor might use pink. By sharing, no one had to buy to many sets but they always had enough for their needs.


Snack sets first started showing up in the 1940's but they were still being manufactured well into the 1970's. The 'Homespun' or 'Homestead' pattern from Federal Glass Hospitality was one of the first patterns introduced. But sets were also made by Anchor Hocking, Hazel-Atlas and a handful of other manufacturers and they had pattern names like 'Informal', Vintage Grape', 'Boppie or Hob-nail' and 'Bubble'.


Snack sets are easy to find and have not really increased in value at all. You can find complete sets (four plates, four cups) on e-bay for less than ten dollars. Their real value comes from sentiment. It comes from remembering sitting in the garden with a tray on your lap, eating wedding cake and drinking frappe or 'BYU Sparkle' from the little cup. Oh, and then there was the treat in the nut cup! No service was complete without the nut cup. Sometimes instead of nuts there were creamy, delicious butter mints that melted in your mouth! Wow, flashback!


We used our inherited snack sets (plus several more purchased at the thrift shop) to serve at Suzie's Polka Dot Tea in May. (We can blame the Polka Dot Tea for this madness!!) The 'Informal' sets above belonged to Suzie's mother. The snack sets were perfect for serving quiche and fruit for a Mother/Daughter brunch. This pattern was manufactured by the Hazel-Atlas Company in the 1950's.


Gathering snack sets has now become a small obsession. When ever I am in a thrift shop I have to look to see if they have any new patterns or more of the styles we already have. You cn pick them up a piece at a time to build your collection. This pattern is the 'Homespun ' or 'Homestead' manufactured by Federal Glass Hospitality as early as the mid-1940's. This is the pattern my Mom had when I was growing up. When snack sets were no longer in style she sent hers to D.I. That is where I bought these a few weeks ago!


The 'Bubble' pattern (above and below) was manufactured in the mid-1950' also by Federal Glass Hospitality. The designs are the same, but the iridescent glass of the set above was more rare so it is slightly more valuable than the set below. I think the last set I saw of the iridescent was selling for $15.00...


This set of pressed glass trays and cups is called 'Vintage' by Anchor Hocking and happens to belong to Suzie's sister Kay. They were mixed in with her Mom's snack sets in storage and we found them when we were getting ready for the tea. If you look closely you can see 'Luce' written on the edge of the lid near the flap. Remember, everyone shared so all sets had to be identified...


This is probably my favorite pattern. It is called the 'Boppie' or 'Hob-nail from Anchor Hocking. It was manufactured in the late 1940's and early 1950's.


Snack sets really are perfect for 'moving' entertainment. Breakfasts and receptions are FLOW events so you are moving all the time, trying to juggle food and drink and then trying to shake hands and network at the same time. According to an article in 'Better Homes and Gardens' in April 2006, snack sets are now 'movable feasts! The balancing act is over. Cup and plate sets are back making it easy to sip, nibble and mingle. Practical, these sets are so smart we wonder why they ever went out of style.' Better Homes was referring to the new assortment of snack sets hitting the market, but doesn't vintage have a little more charm and sentiment?

Things and stuff keep us grounded and connected to the past. Don't be afraid to do a little collecting. Tea, anyone?