We no longer approve of Waterford
Every Irish American home has more than its share of crystal tschotchkes passed down from grandmothers to daughters to granddaughters. The generations share the tradition of carefully removing the little green seashell sticker from the underside of the piece before washing the item then returning said trademark label to its place of honor. After all, if the little green sticker isn't on the vase/salad bowl/candlestick holder/goblet, then the item is NOT authentic. Some stickers have survived as long as 80 years of this continued removal and replacement.
Waterford crystal also has great meaning for the spear side of the family. Oirish boys never truly appreciate the true sound of the banshee's keen until they first hear the sound of some piece of crystal smashing into a beautiful tinkling cascade of facets. The mothers wearing their shawleens, cry out in mourning over the lost Lismore white wine glass.
In keeping with this great tribal affinity, for years I've made a point of buying assorted Waterford pieces for my late mother, late aunt, my sister and my niece, but not no more. Several years ago the company was acquired by Wedgewood, and ever since both companies have begun brand extension. At first it wasn't too bad. The non-Irish Waterford was marked off as a special brand, "Marquis by Waterford," but this year when I went to buy Christmas ornaments, no such branding existed. Everything was labelled Waterford, regardless who made it, where it was made, or what the quality of its crystal was. Almost all the ornaments were made in either Germany or Slovenia, even the Celtic crosses!
Next year, no more of this mishigoss. Brand extension has done its dirt.