Chalkboard Wineglasses

There are lots of different ways you can mark wineglasses so that each of your guests can recognize their own glasses. You can buy wineglass charms, which hang on the glasses, or you can make paper disks, cut a slit in each one, and slide them onto the stems of the glasses. You can even make a wineglass cozy, which is made from felt, and covers the whole base of the glass. But if you're interested in something a little more unique, and something that will really get the attention of your guests, make chalkboard wineglasses. They're really easy to create and, after they're made, guests - or you - can just write a name on each glass.

Chalkboard paint makes it easy to turn ordinary things, like a lamp, a headboard, or a place mat, into a chalkboard. The paint is sold at home improvement stores and is exactly what you need to make the unusual wineglasses. One can will do several glasses.

Start with glasses that have been recently washed and are completely dry. They should also be free of things like fibers from cloth or paper towels. You'll only be painting the top of the base so just cover the rest of the glass to prevent the chalkboard paint from getting on it. To do this, tear a piece of newspaper, wrap it around the glass and stem, then wrap tape around it to secure. Make sure the entire top of the glass is showing, but none of the stem.

Purchase the type of chalkboard paint that is available in a spray can. Follow the instructions on the can to apply the paint to the glasses. Allow the recommended amount of time to let the paint dry. For best results, allow at least 24 hours before writing on the glasses.

Although the chalkboard wineglasses can be washed after use it's not recommended that you put them in the dishwasher. The chalkboard paint can be rinsed off but not scrubbed.

No matter what type of party you're having your guests will have fun writing their names on their glasses. And they don't have to stop at names; they can draw pictures or write sentiments on the glasses. Provide white chalk, or colored chalk, and let your guests have fun. Now your guests - no matter how many drinks they have - won't need to remember what kind of charm was on their glasses, or what color of felt wrap they each had, just to find their drinks again.