Homemade cakes, although baked with all the love in the world, are still labor intensive. The shortage of flour in some countries is also pumping up price of baked products. Cakes, whether you make or buy them, are increasingly becoming costly and fewer families are settled with celebrating their anniversaries, birthdays, and other life's milestones without this ubiquitous food for the sweet tooth.

Yet more and more people are finding ways to still have the magic and nostalgia of a cake, without spending too much money. They are either baking or buying cupcakes, which can be delivered in bulks right at your doorstep. Outsourced cupcakes often come in neat and colorful little boxes. The cupcakes inside can be personalized further, with the names of the invited guests written on the package.

When they are done, the little guests can show off their creations on a cupcake stand. Like a cake, these stands can tower up to three levels, which can already serve as the centerpiece. As the kids place their labors of love on the stand, birthday singing and well wishes can start. No need to slice any cake; no large pastry flopping on the floor; just children wolfing down the cupcakes they decorated.

Cupcake stands, initially available only at specialty stores, are becoming easier to find these days because of increasing market demand. Of course, nothing beats doing it yourself, because then, you can personalize your cupcake stand and follow your chosen theme for the party. You can even opt for cupcake stands with more than three layers, designing them after a tree.

But after all is said and done, the most important thing is that everyone should have fun, including you. Although a deviation from the tradition, cupcakes on cupcake stands are definitely a breath of fresh air. You and your invited guests could certainly use some of it from time to time. At the very least, have on stand by a reusable cupcake stand for starters.