How much flatware do you need?

This is an easy one: It depends on how many people are usually gathered around your table.
​
Knives/forks/spoons: Do you entertain? Then a set of 12 is probably good. Is it just you and the dog? Then 2 sets will be more than enough. (The extra set is not for the dog, it’s for when you don’t feel like washing the dishes.) In between? How about four more sets than the number usually sitting around the table. That way you can have the neighbors over. 

Serving Utensils: If your meal frequently contains a slew of food items, you’ll need a slew of serving utensils. One for each, actually. So think about how many dishes you typically serve. The minimum I recommend are 2 serving spoons, 1 serving fork, and 2 slotted spoons. If you serve more dishes at a typical meal, you’ll need more. If you eat out of the pan at a typical meal, you don’t need any. 

And what about the serving flatware used at Downton Abbey?  Like the sardine server, baked potato fork, toast fork, butter pick, lemon fork, pastry fork, sardine/pâté/lemon server, toddy ladle, gravy ladle, sauce ladle, tomato server, confection spoon, and there’s more. Brush up on your good-ole-days-at-the-English-manor flatware here. 

Matching or who cares? 
I spent my adult life with mismatched flatware. Who cares? But then in my late 50s I bought a matching set and honey there is no going back. If you have matching, and I was amazed to find out how many people do, then you’re set. There is nothing more in life you need. If you don’t have matching and can afford it, treat yourself—unless your motto is also “who cares?” then in that case you just go on as you are. 

---