Cupcakes are a preferable alternative to birthday cakes, whose constant accompaniment by off-key singing has depleted the planet’s finite supply of forced smiles. Garner genuine grins with today's Groupon: for $18, you get a cupcake box for delivery, including 12 large cupcakes and 15 mini cupcakes, from Tabetai NYC (a $44 value). Delivery is free for Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Tabetai NYC's confectioners conjure a menu of made-to-order designer desserts, including more than 200 cupcake varietals and a rotating flavor of the week. Fresh, organic ingredients infuse each treat with seasonal flavors, such as the chocolate-blueberry-sandwich cupcake bursting with plump blueberries, or the Sleepy Hallow with pumpkin-ale-soaked spice cake and pumpkin-pie cheesecake frosting. Taste buds can go steady with a medley of cupcake suitors such as vanilla with buttercream, red velvet, or the creamy chocolate peanut butter, unrivaled in richness and athletic ability. Since cupcake flavors vary from box to box, customers can consult Tabetai's website or a Little Orphan Annie secret-cupcake-decoder pin to find out each day's offerings. Orders placed before noon can reach doorsteps anytime after 5 p.m., and post-noon requests can be delivered the following day at the customer's preferred time.