DIY Paper Ice-Cream Cone Centerpieces

A little ice-cream shop feeling does not need to melt before the party starts. These paper cones bring soft color and playful height to a dessert station or a grown-up-managed display. Make a few in strawberry, vanilla and mint shades, then let the rest of the table stay simple.

What you’ll need

• Three sheets of tan cardstock
• Six to nine sheets of tissue paper in your chosen colors
• Three short, wide paper cups to use as bases
• Scrap paper for filling the cups
• A pencil, brown marker, scissors and tape
• A dinner plate or another round object for tracing

1. Shape your first cone

Trace a circle approximately 8 inches across on the tan cardstock and cut it out. Cut the circle in half. Curl one semicircle into a cone, letting its straight edges overlap until the opening looks proportionate to your cup. Tape the seam inside and out. Use the second half for another cone or as a spare.

2. Draw the waffle pattern

Before shaping the remaining cones, draw light diagonal lines across the flat cardstock in both directions. Keep them loose and widely spaced. A brown pencil gives a softer look than a dark marker. There is no need to make every diamond identical; the tissue scoops will be the focal point.

3. Create full paper scoops

Loosely crumple one tissue sheet into a ball, then wrap it with a second sheet. Tuck the outer edges underneath to create a rounded top. Make each scoop slightly wider than the cone opening so it sits on the rim. Add a third sheet if you want more volume, and secure the tucked underside to the inside of the cone with tape.

4. Set each cone in a stable base

Pack a short paper cup firmly with scrap paper, leaving a small hollow in the middle. Nest the pointed cone into that hollow and tape it to the inner cup edge. The cup should stay flat on the table. If the display wobbles, shorten the cone or choose a wider base. Do not add skewers or toothpicks.

5. Style a small trio

Place the three cups together on a flat decorative tray, away from food service and table edges. Keep them below guests’ sightlines. Label the display “Paper treats” if it sits beside real desserts, and keep it out of reach of children who may try to mouth the tissue.

Finish with one repeated color

Choose napkins in one scoop color and let that be the connection to the children’s table. Skip loose glitter, confetti sprinkles and tiny decorations. For another paper detail, try our mini menu cards. Pack the cones upright after the party and replace any crushed scoops before using them again.