Of Pots and Pans

It can be difficult to be in your mid-twenties and still be single. This is evidenced most keenly not so much as by the lack of a husband, but by a lack of new home furnishings. Seriously, our society is still very much stuck in the past - where a man and woman lived with their parents until they married, and then moved in together, thus necessitating all new home furnishings. Nowadays though, young men and women often move apart from their parents shortly after college, and make do until marriage with hand-me-down and Salvation Army pots and pans and furniture. For those who do marry, they are then able to throw aside the crappy cookware and trade it in for the brand new stainless steel set Aunt Gertrude bought for them off their wedding registry.

But what about those of us not getting married anytime in the near future? The "rule" seems to be that until we get married, or unless we want to buy it ourselves, second-hand must do. (Unless, of course, we are able to accumulate new stuff slowly over the years between Christmas, birthdays, etc.) This does not seem fair to me.

I was at a bridal shower last year, where the bride received a cookbook. One of the guests - a middle aged woman - said something to the effect of "I know I could have used something like that when I was starting out". Now, if I ever get married I would be a little upset if someone said something like to me. What do you think I've been eating for all these years? Take-out?! It's as though people have forgotten that if a person does not marry right after college it is likely she (or he) will have a pretty good idea of what it takes to live on their own as far as cooking, cleaning, taking care of an apartment, etc.

So, back to the pots and pans and bedding and new home decorations. I want all that new stuff. I don't really want a husband right now, just the rest of this stuff. I propose a new rule - that once you reach a certain age (say, 27), if you're not married and don't have it all already, someone will throw you a big bash and spend hundreds of dollars on new home furnishings, just for you.

Now, some may say - well, a house warming party can garner new stuff. I disagree. House-warming gifts are rarely on the same level in quantity as bridal shower gifts. Especially when you haven't bought the new homeowners anything yet. (Sorry Dan and Andrea.)

Perhaps I should add a disclaimer: I am thankful for all I have, and thankful for any "hand-me-downs" I've received through the years. I know it is so much more than some people have. I just really want a new set of knives.