Christmas crafts using paper cups
Paper cups are a classic craft item—easy to handle and perfect for all kinds of ideas.
You can find a wide variety at 100-yen shops, from plain white and patterned designs to plastic versions, making it easy to choose based on what you want to make.
In this article, we’re spotlighting this super useful item!
We’re sharing Christmas craft ideas using paper cups.
From decorative items like ornaments to toys you can make and play with, there are lots of ideas—take a look and give them a try!
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Christmas crafts using paper cups (11–20)
Santa Claus

Here’s how to make a cute Santa Claus out of paper cups! You’ll need two red polka-dot paper cups, one pink paper cup, one white paper cup, round stickers, and scissors.
Even with just a few materials, you can make an adorable Santa.
First, use one of the polka-dot cups to make Santa’s body.
Cut out the arm parts with scissors.
Next, cut the white paper cup in half and use it with the pink cup to make the face.
The other red polka-dot cup will be the hat, so make small slits in the pink cup so the hat fits on easily.
Once assembled, use the round stickers to add Santa’s face and the buttons on his clothes.
You can also draw your own original face—highly recommended!
Peek-a-boo with a Santa doll

Here’s how to make a peekaboo puppet using paper cups.
You’ll need one paper cup with a Santa Claus picture and one with a reindeer picture, five straws, construction paper, cellophane tape, scissors, and a hole punch or similar tool.
First, punch holes in the bottom and on both sides of the reindeer cup so straws can pass through.
Insert straws into the three holes with the accordion sections facing upward.
Gather the tops of the three straws and tape them together, then trim the straws sticking out on the left and right to make them shorter.
Take two more straws and cut them short, leaving the accordion sections intact.
Insert those into the left and right straws.
Punch a hole in the bottom of the other cup large enough for the bundled three straws to pass through, and insert them.
Finally, attach paper gloves made from construction paper—and you’re done! You can also have fun by drawing your own original Santa and reindeer designs.
sleigh

Here’s a cute 3D sled craft you can make with a paper cup! You’ll need: a paper cup, scissors, tape, a writing utensil, pipe cleaners or string, and a reindeer figurine.
First, draw two opposing T shapes on the side of the paper cup and cut along the lines.
Be careful not to cut the very bottom line of the T.
Fold the T parts down toward the base, then fold the horizontal bars of the Ts outward to form the sled’s runners.
On the remaining side of the cup, make snips with scissors to shape the backrest and other parts.
Finally, cut a piece of string about 40 cm long and connect the sled to the reindeer you made separately—that’s it! It’s also fun to make your own original reindeer out of construction paper or origami paper.
Snowman snow globe

Here’s how to make an easy snow globe using a plastic cup! You’ll need a plastic cup with a lid, construction paper, writing tools, a straw, a tool to make a hole in the cup, scissors, and silver origami paper.
First, draw a snowman on the construction paper.
Cut it out, leaving a margin so you can fold and glue it.
Next, make a hole in the plastic cup just big enough for the straw, and stick your drawing inside the cup.
Put finely cut pieces of silver origami paper inside, put the lid on, and insert the straw—done! When you blow through the straw, the origami pieces dance like snow, making a fun snow globe.
You can also switch the snowman to Santa Claus or other characters! You can make it with a clear plastic cup too—just make sure to seal the rim where you’d drink from.
Face panel ornament

I’d like to introduce a face-panel Christmas ornament made from a paper cup.
You’ll need one paper cup, red origami paper, a photo of your choice, and string for hanging.
First, cut the photo to match the size of the bottom of the paper cup.
Cut the cup’s side in two places so it can be opened into two halves vertically, then make slits along the rim of the bottom and open it up.
Roll one of the opened side pieces into a cone to make the panel’s support, and cut the other piece into the shape of a triangular hat with a large pom-pom.
Punch a hole in the pom-pom area, and cover both the cone and the hat with red origami paper.
Finally, attach the photo to the bottom section, and you’re done! Thread the string through the hole and hang it on your tree.


