I enjoy making small, thoughtful gifts for teachers, coaches, and friends, especially around the holidays. These simple homemade Christmas gifts transform disposable coffee cups into charming gift holders—perfect for a coffee shop gift card and a few treats. They’re quick to assemble, inexpensive, and look delightful on a classroom or office desk.
Find disposable coffee cups in the paper goods or coffee aisle—choose seasonal patterns for a festive look. Coordinate your sleeve and embellishment colors to match the cup. To add weight and a sweet touch, tuck in a few Hershey’s Kisses; alternatives include instant coffee packets or K-Cups for a more practical treat.
To make the sleeve, use a craft cutter like a Silhouette or Cricut to cut a strip of card stock to fit around the cup. If you don’t have a cutter, unlatch a sleeve from a coffee shop and trace it onto paper before cutting. I also cut a small sentiment—such as “Merry Christmas”—to layer on the sleeve for a finished look.
Use seasonal card stock—classic red and green plus a sparkly accent paper make each sleeve feel special. Add a loop of red-and-white twine for dimension and attach a small holiday sticker or embellishment like a snowman to complete the design. Simple embellishments keep the project affordable while creating a polished result.
One small assembly tip: trim the drink hole slightly so a candy cane or other accent can slide through. The cut doesn’t need to be perfect—the cup acts as decorative packaging for the gift card rather than for drinking. Pop the gift card and a few treats into the cup, slide on the sleeve, and secure it so it won’t slip.
To keep the sleeve in place, use a craft glue such as Elmer’s Extra Strength. Apply a small amount where the paper overlaps the cup so the sleeve stays secure when kids bring them to school. Allow glue to dry before handling to prevent shifting.
Homemade Christmas Gifts Supply List:
• Silhouette, Cricut, or another cutting tool (optional)
• Card stock in holiday colors and one sparkly accent sheet
• Elmer’s Extra Strength glue or other craft adhesive
• Red & white twine (or similar ribbon)
• Hershey’s Kisses, K-Cups, or instant coffee packets (optional)
• Candy canes or small festive accents
• Gift card to a local coffee shop
• Disposable paper coffee cups (seasonal patterns recommended)
