When my first daughter was very young I received a special red plate from my mother. I don’t remember the occasion but I do remember noting the very fancy, formal box it was packaged in. From the way it was presented to me, I knew there must be some kind of story behind it. I unwrapped it as she told me about the famous Waechtersbach “You are Special Today” red plates. I had never heard of them before and although I thought it was a nice sentiment (who doesn’t want to be reminded they are special) the look of the plate, was well, kind of like a Grandma’s plate and not at all my style. I was gracious in accepting it but she knew I wasn’t that interested. How do moms always know stuff like that? She ended our brief pate conversation with, “Well, even if you don’t like it now, you might, when Julia gets older.” OK, I gave her that. So, of course, I saved it.   Years later I came across it quite accidentally and coincidentally a few days before Julia’s 4th birthday. I pulled it out, washed it up and decided to present her birthday cupcake on the bright and shiny red “special” plate. To my surprise she was delighted with the fanfare, her eyes wide with excitement, “What’s THIS plate Mom?” As I read her the words and told her the story, as my mom told me, I realized a tradition was being born. As quickly as I had dismissed the plate years earlier, I resolved to keep it handy, ready to use at any and every special occasion. And I have.  And the girls have come to not only look forward to it for their own special days but have insisted that my husband and I use it on ours.   Since I have become a mother, I have learned to deeply appreciate all things that make my kids feel special. Anything I can do for them to remind them they are loved and valued is worthy of my effort and energy. So who knew one red plate could drive that message home? I sure didn’t. But, I’m glad I listened to my own mother and gave her idea a shot. It has made our family’s celebrations that much more festive and momentous.   To take a look at the original “You are Special Today” red plate check Waechtersbach online (the link here is their US site). They’ve got a European site as well but I didn’t see the red plate on it (a language thing I presume). If you don’t care to purchase the one they offer but you like the idea, I would encourage you to make your own “special” plate. Consider taking a trip to a ‘paint your own ceramics’ store and whip one up yourself. Or better yet, have your child make one. I promise, you’ll be thrilled at the reaction you’ll get and I’ll bet you children will love it as much as mine do.