Christmas Decorations Using Coffee Cups

Every so often I search through the contests that are currently listed and see if I have any specific ideas that will fit in line with the guidelines.  A few times I have seen a contest come up, and only come up with a good idea for it after the fact.

A while back Instructables sponsored a coffee-cup re-use contest, and at the time I didn't have any ideas for it.  Then I came up with an idea of what to do with them... and this instructable is the result.  Luckily for me, it once again fits right in line with a current contest, so I decided to give it another go.  In addition to the tree, I've also added a bunch of ways to help decorate it.  The idea here is cheap, green, and/or crafts that can be done as a family.

Step 1 Build the Tree

I mentioned the coffee cups in the last step, but any paper cup will do.  I also tried styrofoam cups, and they were not suitable because the spray paint was making them dissolve without really covering the writing on them.  The cups can also be all one size, or you could vary them from small to big, possibly even in layers.  I tried to alternate from small to big and back again.

The first thing you will need to build is a base for the tree.  I built mine out of various sized circles of cardboard, each a 1/2 inch smaller than the last.  I started at 10" and worked down to around 5 inches.  This will help give weight to the base and make the tree unlikely to tip over.  I then ran a 3' leftover piece of CPVC up.  Eventually I had to add an extra support to the base made out of a plastic subway cup and used a hot glue gun to attach it.  This kept the tree straight instead of leaning to a side.  I was going to paint everything green, but at the last minute called an audible and spray painted it red instead.

I then painted all the cups green, both inside and out.  Once they were dry, I made a bunch of vertical cuts on each one.  At first, I was marking them off, but then just started cutting them via guesswork.  I can't really tell which was which after the fact, so that's probably easiest.  I then made a hole in the base of each, and glued them to the CPVC center.  At the top is an old party hat, which got the same treatment.  To bend the limbs out slightly, just stick the next cup inside and gently move it in.  You don't want to go too far, or you'll end up with hard bends instead of genltly sloping out.  After it's all together, give the limbs another quick coat of green paint.