With the cold weather setting in, it's time to break out the cozy sweaters, warm blankets, and festive tumblers! Tumblers are a fun and practical way to enjoy your favorite hot and cold beverages while keeping your hands warm. Here are some creative winter tumbler ideas to try this season.
Ideas for Decorating Tumblers
Add Some Sparkle
Glitter, sequins, and shine are perfect for the holidays! Look for tumblers with glitter patterns or add your own sparkle with:
Glitter tapes or washi tapes
Sparkly gem stickers
Glitter glues or glitter mod podge
Metallic sharpies for drawing designs The possibilities are endless when it comes to adding some festive shine to your tumblers. Get creative with patterns, snowflakes, snowmen, reindeer, and other seasonal shapes.
Seasonal Scents
Scented tumblers are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Try adding:
Flavored coffee syrups to your tumblers so your hot coffee smells like peppermint mocha or caramel brulee.
Essential oil blends of cozy scents like cinnamon apple or pine. Add a couple drops to the inside of the tumbler or lid.
Vanilla extract or peppermint extract for that nostalgic scent of holiday baking.
Cozy Colors
Stay on theme for the season with rich jewel tones, frosty whites, festive reds and greens. Shop for tumblers in holiday colors or use paint pens, nail polish, or permanent markers to decorate plain tumblers.
Ideas for Winter Themed Tumblers
Snowy Scenes
Paint wintery scenes on your tumblers featuring snow-capped trees, falling snowflakes, snowmen, gingerbread houses, and other icy images. Use acrylic paints and paint pens to add details and dimension. Add some sparkly glitter paint for snow accents.
Holiday Icon Tumblers
Get festive with tumblers decorated with different holiday icons. Try a leopard print Starbucks-style tumbler for a twist on a holiday classic. Or go more traditional with tumblers featuring wreaths, trees, stockings, snowflakes, reindeer, candy canes, etc. Have fun mixing and matching different festive images.
Ugly Sweater Tumblers
Bring your favorite kitschy Christmas sweater to your tumbler with an ugly sweater design. Use red, green, white, and other festive colors to create a gaudy geometric pattern. Add "snowflakes" cut out of glitter foam, puffy paint for noses, and googly eyes for a 3D sweater look. Get creative making your tumbler as tacky or classy as you desire.
Hot Cocoa Bar
Design a set of tumblers customized for your favorite hot chocolates and steamy drinks. Label them with "peppermint hot cocoa," "salted caramel," "white chocolate cherry," and other tasty flavors. Draw the silhouette of a melted marshmallow or whipped topping for an extra cute touch.
Pros & Cons of Decorating Your Own Tumblers
Pros
Customizable - You can create designs that match your personal style and preferences.
Creative outlet - Decorating tumblers allows you to express creativity through colors, patterns, themes, etc.
Cost effective - Customizing plain tumblers is generally cheaper than buying pre-decorated ones.
Fun activity - Decorating tumblers can be a fun craft project to do alone or with friends and family.
Cons
Time consuming - Designing and decorating tumblers takes patience and time, especially if you're doing multi-step techniques.
Mistakes happen - There may be trial and error getting techniques like painting or glitter application right.
Not durable - Some DIY decor like glitter and paint pens may chip or fade with frequent use and washing.
Limited selection - You're limited to what supplies you have on hand versus choosing from many designer options.
Skill required - You'll need some artistry skills like painting for best results with a DIY design.
Tips for Decorating Tumblers
Start with a clean surface - Wash the tumbler with soap and water so decorations adhere properly.
Apply a sealant - Use acrylic sprays or epoxy resin to seal decorations and prevent chipping or wearing off over time.
Allow proper drying time between steps - This prevents smearing or smudging.
Use the right adhesive for the materials - Glue types like E6000 work best for glass and metals. Avoid "school glues" which can wear down.
Mix and match decor techniques - Combine painting, glitter, vinyl, fabric, and more for unique looks.
Work in thin layers for things like paint, glitter, and epoxy for even coverage that dries properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of tumblers work best for DIY projects?
Stainless steel and plastic tumblers work best as they take paint and glitter well. Make sure any inner coating is smooth so paint adheres. Avoid designs with condensation stripes. Glass works but may need etching or spray paint formulated for slick surfaces.
How do I get a smooth coat of glitter on my tumbler?
Use a thin layer of clear glue like Mod Podge first. Apply glitter gently and let dry fully. Brush off excess then seal it well with epoxy or a spray sealant like Krylon. Multiple thin coats give a smooth professional glitter look.
What are the best paint pens to use when decorating tumblers?
Oil-based paint pens like Sharpie or Posca work best on metal and plastic. They come in metallic sheens and different tip sizes for detail work. Make sure to prep the surface so they adhere well. Allow proper drying time between coats.
How do I get a cute buffalo plaid pattern on my tumbler?
Use painters tape to mask off stripes in alternating colors. Spray paint the exposed stripes, let dry, then repeat with the next color. Slowly remove the tape to reveal crisp painted stripes. Finish by sealing the design with epoxy resin for durability.
What are other popular winter themes to decorate tumblers?
Snowy mountains, snow globes, snowflakes, winter woodland scenes with deer and trees, and cozy cabin designs are great wintry themes. For Christmas, try holiday icons, plaid patterns, and anything red, green or sparkly.
Conclusion
Decorating your own tumblers is a fun DIY project for the winter months. Let your creativity run wild mixing colors, textures, patterns, and themes that reflect your personal style. From holiday bling to snowy scenes, the possibilities are endless! Follow key tips on preparing surfaces and using proper sealants to ensure your designs withstand busy holiday usage. Sip your favorite hot beverages in style all season long with your custom creation.
