Dessert Buffet Stands

The traditional wedding features a huge, gorgeous cake that is expensive and delicious. Some people dont like cake, though, and some brides want something a little more casual. Have that giant cake, if you want it, but set up a dessert buffet for those who dont care for cake. You dont have to shop catalogs or online sites that sell dessert buffet stands for big bucks. You can easily make impressive stands for cookies, candies and more by using Styrofoam! Styrofoam disks come in a variety of sizes that are ideal for making tiered dessert stands. Start with one large disk, then add another and another, with each disk being slightly smaller than the previous one. However, all of the disks should be the same thickness.

You dont have to paint the Styrofoam so that makes the tiered dessert stand a very easy project. In addition to the disks youll need a large Styrofoam cone and a wooden dowel. The dowel should be long enough to accommodate all the tiers, with several inches left at the top as well as the bottom. Dont forget to allow for a nice space between each disk.

To assemble the tiered stand simply start by poking a hole in the middle of each of the disks. Cut two-thirds of the cone off the top and use the remaining bottom portion. Youll find it easy to cut the Styrofoam if you use a serrated knife. Cut a piece from an old candle to transfer the wax to the knife, before cutting the Styrofoam, and the job will go smoothly. Push the dowel rod into the Styrofoam base, remove it, fill the hole with glue, then position the dowel once again. Slide the largest disk onto the dowel and let it rest atop the base. Slide the next disk on, and the next, until all disks are stacked. Dispense a circle of hot glue around the dowel, just under each disk, to keep them in place. Cut a circle of parchment paper or something similar and lay one on each disk. Its easiest to lay the paper on one disk, slide the next disk on the dowel, lay the paper on it, and so on. Or, you can cut each circle, then cut a slit from the outer edge to the inner circle, and wrap the paper around the dowel. Choose scrapbook paper, poster board or something similar to wrap around each Styrofoam disk. This will prevent the foods from falling off, will cover the sides of the Styrofoam, and will create a theme or color scheme. Cut the paper to be a couple inches wider than the Styrofoam is thick. For instance, if the disks are each three inches thick, cut the paper to be five inches wide, then glue one paper piece around each disk. Glue them so that the bottom edge of the paper aligns with the bottom edge of the Styrofoam and so that the excess paper rises above each Styrofoam "plate". Place candies, brownies, cookies, cakes, donuts or other foods on the disks to serve. If you want, make one tier set larger than the others, and use it as a centerpiece. It can be topped with a traditional wedding cake topper - if the dessert stands are for a wedding - or no topper at all. Its a lovely way to serve assorted desserts to your guests without spending a fortune on fancy stands!