odd and end corelle from garage sales, old mismatched silverware from past set or garage sales. also do the chinet or Dixie paper plates for salad, sandwiches, etc. keep plastic silverware for traveling with paper so there are no dirty dishes waiting to be done when we arrive.
I also have some of the Nordic ware mw plates too. have to make sure everything is microwaveable for DH to use and not melt.