Build It Yourself: DIY Party Cup Holder (with Marker Slot!)

Lauren Twitchell
Jul 9
2 min read

Looking for a simple, fun, and super functional project for your next backyard BBQ, holiday gathering, or birthday bash? This DIY Party Cup Holder is a crowd-pleasing addition to any celebration—and it’s beginner-friendly, too!

Whether you’re wrangling Solo cups or Dixie-sized drinks, this build keeps things tidy and helps guests keep track of their drinks thanks to a built-in Sharpie holder and optional fun signage.

👉 Watch the full video tutorial here: https://youtu.be/5Tc6WZBOYLg

✂️ What You’ll Need:

We’ve included two size options, so you can choose what works best for your favorite party cups:

Small Version (Great for Dixie Cups):

Materials:

3 feet of 1x4
Wood Glue
1 ¼” Brad Nails
Drill + Drill Bits
Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)

Cut List:

(3) @ 6.5” – Bottom, Front, Back
(2) @ 5” – Sides

Large Version (Perfect for Solo Cups):

Materials:

3 feet of 1x4
8” of 1x6 (for the base)
Wood Glue
1 ¼” Brad Nails
Drill + Drill Bits
Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)

Cut List:

(2) 1x4s @ 6.5” – Front and Back
(2) 1x4s @ 5.5” – Sides
(1) 1x6 @ 6.5” L x 4 ⅛” W – Bottom

🛠 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Cut & Fit – Measure and cut all your pieces. Do a quick dry fit to make sure everything lines up nicely.
Sand Smooth – Sand down each piece (start with 120 grit, finish with 220). Don’t forget to wipe off the dust between grits.
Assemble – Glue and brad nail your holder together. Let the glue dry fully.
Add Sharpie Slot – On one side panel, find the midpoint and drill a hole for the marker. Start with a 5/32” bit, then widen with a ¼” bit.
Finish Touches – Optional: Fill brad nail holes with wood filler for a polished look.
Customize – Add stain, paint, or even wood-burn a cheeky phrase like “Mark Your Cup & Drink Up” on the front.

💡 Why We Love This Build:

Beginner-Friendly: Minimal cuts, low material cost, and simple tools
Customizable: Change the stain, add vinyl, woodburn a design—make it yours!
Practical: Keep party cup chaos under control and help guests avoid drink mix-ups

🪚 Want to Build Along With Me?

🎥 Watch the YouTube tutorial here: https://youtu.be/5Tc6WZBOYLg 👩‍🔧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you love easy woodworking projects made with women in mind!

🎉 Make It Your Own

This project is a great gift or craft fair item—consider making a few with different finishes or sayings:

“Sip Happens”
“Cheers, Y’all!”
“Party On”
Add seasonal motifs (snowflakes, pumpkins, etc.)

For more beginner-friendly woodworking tutorials, downloadable plans, and tips for building with confidence, check out the blog at ThirdShiftCrafts.com and follow along on Instagram @ThirdShiftCrafts!