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Inspiration: Glass Dinner Plates

1104time01.jpg

Clocks under glass plates are the main attraction at this tabletop for a time-themed party. While this would probably be really spectacular at a New Year's Eve dinner, the idea we're taking away from this is a bit more general...

 
 

We love that the glass plates allow you to see through to the clocks below. We can think of a zillion ways to steal this idea for whatever type of party you're having. With glass plates, whatever is placed on the tabletop below becomes the center of attention. Maybe old photographs for an anniversary dinner? Or pressed leaves for Thanksgiving.

Some sources for glass plates or chargers:


Read for more on the inspiring time-themed tabletop pictured up top at Create My Event.

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entertaining, inspiration, entertaining, tabletop

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Comments (22)

I'm imagining all those clocks ticking away, out of phase. People chewing in time with their clock. Glancing down to see how long it took to eat the salad....

posted by JoanneM on November 4th 2009 at 2:34pm
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This brings out the OCD in me.

posted by LaBelleProvince on November 4th 2009 at 2:37pm
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How about each clock in a different time zone?

posted by Usbek de Perse on November 4th 2009 at 2:37pm
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I do like it used for other ideas that you listed. The ticking clocks would make me a little nutty.

posted by plumeria on November 4th 2009 at 2:47pm
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Personally, I prefer my clocks permanently made into china plates...

http://cozylittlecave.blogspot.com/2009/10/hemnes-knobs.html

posted by CozyLittleCave on November 4th 2009 at 2:48pm
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And what to do with the 8-10 clocks the day after...? I'm not a big fan of seasonal decorations even when they are clever. Unless they are edible, they just seem so wasteful. (Yes, me: bah-humbug!)

posted by home body on November 4th 2009 at 2:57pm
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I think printing clock faces on paper mats to put beneath the plates is a better idea than precariously balancing the plates on actual clocks.

posted by slowdown on November 4th 2009 at 2:59pm
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@ home body. I was going to ask do the guest get to keep the clocks?

posted by Joan52 on November 4th 2009 at 3:28pm
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I'll take one of those cupcakes.

posted by Pixie on November 4th 2009 at 3:31pm
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LOVE! I actually have a number of these (Ikea/Blue) hanging in my bathroom. I thought it would be funny to hang and then label them E. Village, W. Village, Midtown, UES, UWS, etc. The thought of using them as chargers for a New Year's Eve party is AWESOME. Alas, I don't have glass plates...but I might go get one or two serving dishes and do something like this anyway!!

posted by MKQ on November 4th 2009 at 3:44pm
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This would make a wonderful Alice in Wonderland theme birthday party :-D

posted by Haunted_Studio on November 4th 2009 at 3:52pm
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Ughh...I dunno, I don't like this at all...sorry.

posted by RBOttawa on November 4th 2009 at 4:47pm
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@home body- I'm POSITIVE that everyone turns the clocks into necklaces aka:Flava Flav :D

posted by CozyLittleCave on November 4th 2009 at 4:49pm
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I like the idea of putting different patterns under the glass plates. There is a lot of versatility. What I don't like is how you can easily see scratches on glass plates.

posted by Aster on November 4th 2009 at 5:09pm
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It's a clever theme, but I agree that seeing the minutes tick by is a potential party killer - or at least will make for an early night.

posted by tasterspoon on November 4th 2009 at 5:11pm
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The annoying ticking aside... imagine the spills and flips that would occur throughout the evening! God forbid you have to cut a steak on that precarious plate!

posted by CrazyKittenSmile on November 4th 2009 at 5:39pm
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Well...the thing about doing that is that you would take all of the attention away from the food. Personally, when I slave over a stove & oven for a dinner party, I want people to be paying attention to the food and not the tablecloth!

posted by apf on November 4th 2009 at 8:56pm
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I couldn't stand looking at a clock while I eat. I too can't stand the ticking sounds. Maybe take the batteries out.

posted by Icanmakeit on November 4th 2009 at 11:37pm
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I would prefer a more "timeless" design...

posted by superflyguy on November 5th 2009 at 1:17am
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I have a friend who painted the underside of glass plates to create custom designs. They were really pretty and she used them for giving away plates of cookies for christmas. They weren't dishwasher safe, but were a really fun and personal gift.

posted by Sarahj on November 5th 2009 at 2:55am
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LOL! BWAHAHAHAHA! Love it superflyguy!

posted by CozyLittleCave on November 5th 2009 at 5:55am
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Do modern battery clocks really tick that loudly that it would be objectionable? I know you can get very quiet electric clocks, but my battery clocks are pretty loud (cheap...).Though I agree with the critique of seasonal decorations - give them to the guests or something... And it just seems to, well, distracting, like looking at your watch or asking when are you gonna leave all the time.

posted by dn on November 5th 2009 at 2:09pm
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