A Glassware Fetish? We Plead Guilty.

By Erica and Karen

We have way too many glasses. Some are eBay purchases of glassware used by our parents for their evening highball. Some are heirlooms for a bygone lifestyle, impractical but treasured by people we love, so we love them too. Others are singletons, the remains of a treasured set, reminders of events, parties and occasions long ago that we can’t bring ourselves to throw in the bin. No matter how full our cabinets, though, we are still on the lookout, eyeing that fine glass at our restaurant table or on a beautiful place setting, and going on the hunt.

We first saw our latest acquisition at a lively new Michelin one star restaurant in Paris, got home and quickly found these beauties with a glass ball at the bottom. On the table there as water glasses, they turn out to work equally well for wine and cocktails. We were delighted to find that the little ball comes in a variety of colors too. A glass that actually makes you smile.

And then there is champagne. Remember when flutes became the sign of sophistication and coupes were considered fuddy-duddy, the mark of the unwordly? We’d like to bring them back. Coupes are beautiful. They have a certain elegance. They require careful holding and sipping. Some people, of course, never gave them up—-see Patricia Ravenel of Bravo TV’s Southern Charm. But if you did, think about surprising your guests over the holidays with a beautiful new look and feel for the treasured elixir.

If you like simple clear, with a deeper dish to make spills less likely, try these from Made In—one of our favorite online shops for knives and cookware too. If, on the other hand, you love colored glass, West Elm has these beauties in seven different hues, including black if drama is your thing. There are some beautiful vintage ones too. Look at Chairish, or a set of handpainted ones on 1st dibs or, of course, ebay. A set of champagne coupes (try Simon Pearce) and a good bottle make a perfect present too.

And how about martini glasses. They never went out of fashion because they just have that special something. Old ones and new ones. For these, ebay is a good place to start. Everything from simple to hard to find Baccarat glass beauties are to be found there. If you prefer simple and elegant, an easy choice is Pottery Barn, either classic or hand-cut. If you want something a little more upscale and elaborate, take a look at these William Yeoward glasses at Scully & Scully. But, if you just want simple and elegant, these from Artemest are perfect.

Finally, it’s amazing what a beautiful wine glass can do to your enjoyment at the end of the day. There’s something about choosing a special glass that elevates the experience to a special time of the day, taking the time to savor and pamper yourself. We tend to like long stem glasses for this purpose and clear rather than colors. Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Bloomingdales have good options. Here are our favorites for splurges too—when you need only one or two—a very tall one and a luxurious but sturdy every day model.

The important thing is—it’s personal. Whatever makes you happy, take a moment, works.