I have used similar plates and cups for a bridal and baby shower. Both had tea and finger foods. It does make the event nicer than using paper products.

I have a set of four of them as part of my grandmother's Royal Albert china set - they are known as tea sets, and they're very useful when having tea and dainties/cookies. I think they were most common in the 30's, 40's and 50's when women entertained more formally at home.

It's a luncheon or buffet set, for parties. The punch goes in the little cup, and the refreshments on the plate, so you can hold it all in one hand. I love them.

Yes, it is for tea and cookies/cakes/finger food. It's quite British in my opinion, I own two of these: one for me and one for my husband. It's quite elegant to use.

My mother has a set similar to these set aside for me. They are depression glass, and instead of a teacup it has a little bowl, probably for soup and sandwiches.

When I have a grownup apartment with a place to put them I'll take them with me. And probably use them once or never. They aren't really practical for modern meals. Unless you like tiny bowls of soup.

I have a set of these in milk glass and I use them for breakfast. Coffee in the cup and eggs and slice of toast in the plate. They are very handy.

And here I'd thought that the cheese plates I've seen lately with a notch to hold a wine glass stem were a totally new idea. Who knew?

They're usually called serv-a-snack and it's for well, snack serving.

They tend to not be worth more than $8 for a set of four plates and four cups even if it's in the original packaging.

I have a set from my grandmother too. She used them for lunch. I remember getting avocado sandwiches and Fizzies (remember them?). I use them for a "Ladies'" lunch or meeting of my book group.

I've seen them called snack sets-- they're for tea and cookies or other finger foods.

My mom has a set of these. We always just used them for coffee and dessert.

I have several sets of these in a few different styles, one in the original box. I purchase them because I think that they are adorable, and then I intend to sell them on Etsy but I'm too lazy.

I never use them; I should list them.

Anyone in Wisconsin want to take them off of my hands?!

I've heard them called luncheon plates. I've seen them in thrift stores and antique stores - usually in milk glass in the grapes pattern (which I hate) but sometimes in adorable patterns or different colors of the same pattern. I'm always tempted to buy them, but as often as I have parties, I can't seem to justify storing them all!

I have a few of these as well - the exact set pictured and then a few in different antique colored glass. I use them all the time on the weekends when people stop over for light lunch / brunch stuff. I have matching serving pieces as well.

Jodi - what do you have!!! I'm a WI always on the hunt for some more..

Snack Set-Plate And Punch Cup in the Vintage-Clear pattern by Anchor Hocking-Crystal.

http://search.replacements.com/texis/search?mode=&opts=&pr=Meta_20110801&dropXSL=html&prox=page&rorder=500&rprox=500&rdfreq=0&rwfreq=0&rlead=1000&rdepth=0&sufs=1&order=ClientCount-d&query=vintage+anchor+snack+plates&submit=Submit

shrimp cocktail...yum

in my piece of Texas, they are used routinely for baby/wedding showers....

My mom has a large Depression glass collection, and she's assembled a few of these sets, mostly Anchor Hocking. I haven't seen the grape pattern before but they're all a similar shape, and some have royal ruby cups in clear trays.
She brings the trays out on holidays when we're all munching Swedish coffee bread with coffee or having a party buffet.

I have a one set in pink stoneware, very retro and cute!

Super jealous of likey's milk glass version.

They're for making party guests think they have a safe place to put their cup, when, in reality, THEY DON'T.

These are absolutely luncheon sets. They are meant for cold drinks only such as lemonade or punch.

Strawberry and cream?

@fortheloveofpork

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