I’m a big fan of Tupperware

One of the earliest memories I have of my grandmother was her love for Tupperware.

By then it had lost its colour to a translucent grey but the lids were still as perfect as the day she bought them (with the famous Tupperware sigh).

She had the same tubs until the day she died, so we are talking about at least 30 years – hard to imagine now that anything can last that long. Being a typical teenager, I always thought of Tupperware as an old lady thing but when I had my first apartment and started cooking, I got hooked.

The hook came when a friend of mine invited my mum and myself to one of the famous (or infamous) Tupperware parties. I only went along with my mum to be honest but between the two of us, we managed to enable my friend to have an awesome commission (she still talks about our spending spree).

I still have many of the original ones – now more than 20 years old. As I have never owned a microwave, I can’t say much about the microwave series but the freezer and storage items are amazing.

Obviously, I also have cheaper ones but I mainly use Tupperware.

I think, if I had a child that would start out their own life, I would give them the ‘starter-pack’ of the original bowls and freezer mates (yes, that’s what they are called).

Most people are turned off by the price but if you consider that I have mine over 20 years and my grandmother had hers over 30 years, it is an investment worthwhile.

While browsing the latest catalogue I saw they have a line called The New Classic with the tagline ‘Not your Grandmother’s bowls’ – I think the younger generation is just as I was thinking of the ‘old lady’ brand.

Let’s talk about the sales strategy and these parties. After the initial one, I (and my mum) attended many more – not always buying but always on the lookout.

Guests were always given a small gift but the hostess (or host) got some really good incentives to host a party apart from a free gift and discount on any other purchase.

My friend was a nurse so sometimes, she didn’t even have to host a party as she supplied the entire staff of the hospital. During the party, the different items are not only displayed but also demonstrated how to use them. Snacks and drinks are supplied and you forget that this is actually a sales pitch (hence our spending spree). I’ve been to one Irish party hosted by a lovely lady from Blarney and I reigned myself in this time and came home with a reusable bottle and a huge box (when I saw it, I wanted it and then I was wondering afterwards what to do with it – you see the power of Tupperware?) which I am now using for storing a craft project. While browsing the latest brochure, I saw that the products have gone from a simple storage and freezer solution to kitchen gadgets – and who doesn’t like a good gadget in the kitchen. Now you can get spiralisers (do people still do that?), cream whisk, chopper, meat mincer and grater to name just a few. Now, who is going to host the next party?