How to Paint Glass Tumblers for Gifts

These painted glass cups are a fun way to ring in the holiday season. Use them for Christmas or gift them to friends and family – either way, your creativity can shine.

RELATED READING: How to Make Leopard Print Christmas Ornaments (Easy)

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Painted Glass Tumblers DIY

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ve been going through some easy craft ideas with the teens / tweens this summer to a) use up my stash and b) get them off devices and/or out of the hot, Texas sun.

This week, one of the crafts we set up used these frosted glass tumblers. With some basic acrylic paint, the girls were able to create a few fun designs we wanted to share.

Materials You Will Need for This Easy Christmas Gift Idea

Below are what we used but check locally and at the local thrift stores for the mugs. I haven’t seen the frosted ones but there are always some great finds.

• frosted glass tumblers with lid and straws
• acrylic paint
• dishwasher safe ModPodge
• Washi tape (can use thin masking tape)
• small paintbrushes and a foam brush

Watch This Painted Christmas Gift Idea Come Together

If you’re a visual learner or just want to join in on the fun, watch the girls paint a few of these mugs in this quick painted Christmas tumblers video tutorial. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe – we have a lot of fun on the channel.

How to Make This Painted Christmas Tumbler Gift Idea

Clean the mugs with rubbing alcohol or a grease-fighting dish soap. As a little inspiration, the girls each painted one design: dots, stripes, and a free hand painted Christmas tree.

For the dots, use a sponge dauber or a small paint brush to create the circles. They look great non-uniform and organic. Let dry.

For the stripes, use Washi tape to create a border on the top and bottom of the desired stripe. Use a very small amount of the ModPodge on the inner join of the tape and glass – you only need a thin line to get crisp, clean detail. Paint two layers and remove the tape. Let dry.

Finally, to create a Christmas tree painted cup, use a small paintbrush to create wispy stripes on either side from the center of a vertical line (imaginary works; you don’t need to paint a tree trunk). Make sure it starts at a point and gets wider at the bottom.

Paint a star at the top and/or ornaments on the tree (let the tree shape dry) and set the mug aside to dry.

Once all cups have thoroughly dried, cover the entire painted area in dishwasher safe ModPodge. We painted the entire cup for all three and set aside to dry and cure (read the instructions).

More Holiday Craft Ideas You Might Like

• Dollar Tree Tag Ornaments – A fun and inexpensive find from the dollar store is turned into a wow-worthy project.
• Modern Christmas Tree Decor – Flip a painting around and turn into something full of whimsy for the holiday season.
• No Sew Flower Gnome Pattern – Grab a faux poinsettia flower from the craft store and whip up this adorable little guy.

Please Save or Share This Easy Christmas Gift Idea

Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY handmade holiday gift pin board or share it with a crafty group on Facebook.