Special Day Plate

Until my husband and I have children in our own home, we've had lots of time to see other families around us and learn about all the fun traditions and little things other families do.  We're always saying to ourselves 'we need to remember that tradition' or something like that.  Of course we already have traditions that we do that I love, but some are just better suited for children.  One of those ideas that I love and want to remember is a "Special Day Plate." 

The idea behind this plate is that it is reserved for special days or occasions and getting to use it is an extra treat.  Every birthday you get to eat your birthday meal on the plate, or on the day of a big test, exciting award day...you get the picture.  I think it is such a cute idea and I can see kids getting so excited over it as well.  Here's how I made mine:

I started with a plate for $1 from the dollar store and a Deco Color ceramic marker.

 

I picked up this marker from Joann's and I've also heard really good things about Pebeo markers from Michaels.  These are markers that are specifically made to write on glass, porcelain, and ceramics.  Once I decided what I wanted the plate to say it was as easy as writing my designs on the plate.

 Around the edges I wrote 'Today is your day- You are special' over and over and in the inside I wrote one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes "Today you are you, that is truer than true.  There is no alive who is youer than you."  And then some random doodling around the plate and the edges.

I did a little testing to see how well the ceramic paint would hold up and I ran it through the dishwasher...and it looked absolutely fine when I pulled it out.  But I would still be cautious and perhaps only hand wash this plate to make sure it will last for a long time and you can have lots of special days year after year.