Paper Cups

Sip, Smile, Celebrate – Paper Cups for Every Party

Great parties run on easy refills and tidy tables. The right paper cups make both happen. They stack neatly, match your palette and help guests serve themselves without hunting for glassware. Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ, a baby shower, a themed kids’ birthday or a community fundraiser, you will find sizes and styles that fit and coordinate with paper plates, napkins and tablecovers.

Choose a look that suits your theme

Solid colour paper cups give clean lines for simple coordination. Pastel cups in blush, sage and sky suit showers and naming days, while metallic or foil-accent cups lift milestone nights. Prefer a natural feel? Kraft cups pair beautifully with grazing tables and artificial foliage. For themed events, match kids party cups with character plates and printed napkins so the table reads on theme at a glance.

Pick sizes that match your drinks

Most events work with two sizes, add a third for specialties. Choose small cups (~250 ml) for kids’ water and juice or tastings, medium cups (~350 ml) for soft drinks and punch, and large cups (~450 ml) for mocktails and iced tea. For hot drinks, use heat-rated cups and sleeves. For iced pours, set tongs and an ice bowl beside the stack so cups keep their shape. Keep a roll of tablecover handy to catch drips near dispensers.

Build a self-serve drinks station

Keep queues moving with a simple layout: two short stacks of cups, name markers or stickers, jugs or dispensers arranged from light to strong flavours, then ice, paper straws and napkins at the end. Place the station away from the food queue and add a small bin nearby for quick changeovers. A subtle backdrop like foil fringe or photo backdrops makes the area camera ready.

Kids’ parties made easy

Bright colours or character prints help little guests spot their drink quickly. Choose smaller sizes to reduce spills and waste, and match with party hats and hanging decorations for tidy, photo-ready tables. Keep water jugs within reach and set a separate stack for cordial to avoid mix ups.

Style tips for grown-up gatherings

For engagements and milestones, keep the palette tight. Pair ivory or kraft cups with a linen runner and greenery for a relaxed look. Metallic-edged cups add a small glint without needing glassware. Planning a signature mocktail? Group a stack of large cups with a small sign and frame the area with a slim backdrop so photos sing.

Eco and budget considerations

Reduce waste with eco-leaning cup options where available, provide water stations for refills and set a clearly marked recycling bin if facilities allow. For fetes and markets, bulk paper cups keep costs predictable and speed up service. Balance budgets by pairing cups with value packs of napkins and long-run banquet rolls.

Quantities that just work

As a guide, allow 1.5 to 2 cups per guest for short events, and more if the party runs long or multiple drink types are on offer. For hot summer BBQs, larger sizes reduce constant refills. For classrooms and OSHC programs, small cups minimise half-finished drinks and tidy the bin count.

Practical set-up and pack down

Unwrap and fan stacks just before guests arrive to keep rims clean. If wind is an issue outdoors, place stacks in a tray or shallow box. After the party, nest cups together, wipe the station and bundle crumbs into your tablecover for a fast reset.

Finish the look

Match cups with plates, napkins and tablecovers. Pastels love pom poms and lanterns, brights pair with streamers and hanging decorations, and metallic accents shine beside foil curtains. Add a few balloons near the drinks station to guide guests over without signage.

Why these cups make hosting easier

Paper cups keep your celebration moving and your styling consistent. They are easy to stack, simple to match and quick to clear when the night winds down. From the first clink to the final toast, they help you run a neat, self-serve station that looks sharp in every photo.