Inspiration: Glass Dinner Plates

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:

Belmont 13" Charger from Bed Bath and Beyond

a contemporary spin: Tetra Dinnerware from Crate and Barrel

Presence 10" Glass Plate from Target

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

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....

This brings out the OCD in me.

How about each clock in a different time zone?

I do like it used for other ideas that you listed. The ticking clocks would make me a little nutty.

Personally, I prefer my clocks permanently made into china plates...

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

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!)

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.

@ home body. I was going to ask do the guest get to keep the clocks?

I'll take one of those cupcakes.

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!!

This would make a wonderful Alice in Wonderland theme birthday party :-D

Ughh...I dunno, I don't like this at all...sorry.

@home body- I'm POSITIVE that everyone turns the clocks into necklaces aka:Flava Flav :D

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.

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.

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!

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!

I couldn't stand looking at a clock while I eat. I too can't stand the ticking sounds. Maybe take the batteries out.

I would prefer a more "timeless" design...

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.

LOL! BWAHAHAHAHA! Love it superflyguy!

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.