Make-Your-Own Cupcake Stand

There are some people who are just amazing bakers and cake decorators, and there are others who are not.  Unfortunately, I'm in the latter group.  As much as I'd love to bake a cake from scratch and decorate it with beautiful fondant designs and piped icing, it's just not going to happen.  However, that doesn't mean I don't want to try to make an effort to give my kids a special "homemade" birthday treat.

My daughter's birthdays are just a few weeks apart and we usually have a joint party for them with family and a few friends.  I'd seen several examples around blogland where crafty folks made their own beautiful cupcake stands with thrift store plates and cups and knew that's what I wanted to do for my girls.  They could each have their own stand and I wouldn't have to bake anything fancier than cupcakes.  

I was so pleased with how they turned out, everyone loved them, they each cost less than $10 to make AND I can take them apart to make a different version for our next party!

Here's what I used:

I was hoping to find the plastic trays at the dollar store, but they didn't have the graduated sizes I needed.  I ended up "splurging" at the party store and bought the large tray for $4 and the smaller one for $3.  I also picked up the plastic bowl and wine glass in the colors I needed for less than $1 each.  Because I opted to go with all lightweight plastics, I was able to attach all the pieces just using glue dots.  They held up just fine for the party and I could easily pull them apart afterwards!

And here's what I did to put them together:

1.  Using glue dots on the rim and bottom of the bowl, attach the two trays together. (I thought it seemed sturdiest to have the bowl upside down)  Then turn the goblet upside down, put glue dots on the rim and attach to the center of the top tray.

2.  Add some ribbon to the stem of the wine glass for a little pizzazz!

3.  Fill with cupcakes.  I used the adorable free printables I found HERE at Tip Junkie.

So cute that you barely notice the cupcakes from a box mix and canned frosting!

4.  Add a special cupcake with a candle to the top and present to your birthday girl!

How cute is that?  (and cheap and easy too!)  Without a doubt, I'll be doing this for future parties as well.

Sharing our DIY cupcake stands at:

Today's Creative Blog 
Sugarbee Crafts 
Reasons to Skip the Housework 
Sugar and Dots 
The Mommy Club 
Lil Luna 
Blue Cricket Design 
Gluesticks 
Happy Hour Projects 
The Frugal Girls 
Design Dazzle 
Tatertots and Jello 
Flamingo toes 
I heart Nap Time 
C.R.A.F.T. 
Craft-O-Maniac 
Sew Can Do 
The Girl Creative 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
Brassy Apple
Somewhat Simple 
Be Different, Act Normal 
Skip to My Lou