You’re a college student planning the ultimate dorm party, and the theme is “Anything But a Cup Party.” It’s a fantastic idea, but it can be challenging to come up with unique party ideas. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This party should be creative, quirky, and a ton of fun, aiming to bring people together and create lasting memories.
That’s why it’s going to be an unforgettable anything but a cup party! There’s no denying the appeal of a well-organized and enjoyable party. But why not take it up a notch and engage your guests in a unique theme? Anything but a cup party are gaining immense popularity on social media, especially on TikTok and Reddit.
It’s one of the best party trends as it encourages all your guests to get involved and showcase their creativity. If you’ve received an invitation to anything but a cup party and aren’t sure what to bring, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
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What Is Anything But A Cup Party?
Friends make for great support systems, and any reason to throw a party for them is always well-received. In an ideal world, people would host parties for their friends daily, but party planning can be overwhelming. That’s where an “Anything But a Cup” party comes in as a fantastic way to celebrate with your friends economically, especially when serving mocktails and cocktails.
The concept is simple: nobody is allowed to drink from cups during the party. Instead, each guest brings a non-cup item to use for their drinks throughout the event. You’ll witness crazy items like shoes, buckets, flower vases, and more being used as drinking purpose. It’s a similar idea to “Anything But Clothes” college party themes or “Anything But A Backpack” spirit days you might have experienced at school.
This party theme’s goal is to encourage creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and most importantly, having fun with it! Your guests will have a blast inventing unusual ways to consume their drinks beyond the usual party supplies. It adds a unique twist to any event and ensures active participation from everyone.

Here are our list of the best anything but a cup party ideas:
1. Water Pitcher
How about hosting an anything but a cup party where you can get creative with your drinkware? One amusing suggestion is using a water filter pitcher. The humor lies in its enormous and over-the-top size, making it a hilarious choice. And imagine the laughs when people drink from the water dispenser spouts all night long!
2. Soap Dispenser
For a fun twist at your anything but a cup party, consider using a soap dispenser as a humorous drink container. Just be prepared for some handle-pumping action throughout the night! You can either thoroughly clean out a soap dispenser from home or grab an inexpensive one from Target or the dollar store. To add to the hilarity, choose a drink that resembles hand soap for some bonus points!
3. Plastic Baseball Bat
One incredibly inventive concept for an anything but a cup party involves using a hollow plastic baseball bat. Just unscrew or cut off the end, and fill it with your preferred drink. However, be aware that this choice might be challenging to set down when not drinking, so you could end up carrying around a baseball bat all night for your refreshments.
4. Watering Can
Here’s another uproarious idea for your anything but a cup party: why not quench your thirst using a watering can throughout the night? You can either drink directly from the spout or insert a straw into the filling hole for a laugh-filled and unconventional drinking experience.
5. Bucket
If you’re searching for a straightforward and convenient anything but a cup option, consider bringing a small plastic bucket similar to the ones used for building sandcastles. It’s an inexpensive choice, functions well for holding liquids, and can be easily set down whenever you’re not actively drinking.
6. Traffic Cone
Add some laughter to your “anything but cups party” by using a traffic cone as a humorous drinking vessel. Don’t worry ,you won’t have to pick up a dirty cone from the street. Instead, you can find clean and affordable plastic traffic cones on Amazon for a comical and quirky drinking experience.
7. Frisbee
We are totally on board with the idea of using a frisbee as a cup for your college theme party. It’s an inexpensive item that you likely already have lying around the house, and the best part is, it’ll look absolutely hilarious to drink from!
8. Toothbrush Holder
In search of an exceptionally distinctive drink holder? Look no further! Just take the toothbrush holder from your bathroom and use it as a cup for a quirky and original drinking experience!
9. Hummingbird Feeder
Imagine the laughter and amusement as you walk around all night sipping from a hummingbird feeder! It’s a fantastic cup alternative since it’s designed to hold liquids, and its flat base allows for easy placement on the table whenever needed. Get ready for a truly unique and entertaining drinking experience!
10. Rubber Glove
Looking for a low-cost and effortless anything but a cup party option? Grab a rubber glove and poke a tiny hole in one of the fingers to use as a drinking vessel throughout the day. It’s a simple and quirky idea that won’t break the bank!

11. Crocs
Without a doubt, this is one of the funniest ideas we’ve encountered! Transform a Croc or any other shoe into a hilarious drinking container by lining it with a plastic bag. This clever choice also makes it easier to use a straw throughout the night. Embrace the humor and have a blast with this uniquely entertaining way to enjoy your drinks!
12. Soup Can
Looking for a cup-shaped but still hilarious option to drink from? Try using a cleaned-out SpaghettiOs or soup can! Just ensure you use a can opener that creates a smooth edge to avoid any lip cuts while drinking. For extra safety, using a straw might be a good idea! Enjoy the humor and convenience of this creative drink container at your party!
13. Tea Kettle
An excellent addition to your anything but cups party is a tea kettle! Designed to hold liquids and sit flat on a table, it offers great convenience for drinking. Embrace the uniqueness of this idea and enjoy sipping your favorite beverages from a tea kettle for a delightful and quirky experience!
14. Blood Bags
Give your party a creepy twist by drinking out of a blood bag for the night! Don’t worry, these blood bags from Amazon are designed for drinks, ensuring they are food safe and clean. Their realistic appearance is sure to freak everyone out, making it a perfect addition for a spooktacular and unforgettable event!
15. Squirt Gun
One of the most exciting concepts for this theme party is using a squirt gun or super soaker to hold your drink. Simply shoot the liquid directly into your mouth whenever you want a sip. Not only is it a fun and playful way to enjoy your drink, but it’s also a hygienic method for sharing drinks at the party. Just squirt the drink into someone’s mouth without any direct contact for a safe and enjoyable experience!
16. Doll Head
One of the eeriest ideas we’ve come across is using the head of a plastic baby doll as a cup for the night. It’s sure to elicit laughs and perhaps a few strange glances from other party guests. Embrace the spookiness and humor, as this unconventional choice will definitely leave a lasting impression at your party!
17. Cleaning Wipes Canister
Another inexpensive idea is to use cleaning wipes containers, which you likely already have lying around the house. Empty and thoroughly clean them before filling them with your drink of choice. Be cautious to ensure they’re completely clean to avoid any exposure to toxic cleaning chemicals. If uncertain, consider lining the inside with plastic wrap or a ziplock bag for added safety. This clever and budget-friendly option will surely add a unique twist to your drinkware selection at the party!
18. Gas Can
If you’re aiming to astonish your fellow partygoers, why not bring a gas can to drink out of for the night? This audacious choice will undoubtedly turn heads and elicit laughter. However, for safety reasons, make sure to purchase a brand new gas can specifically for this purpose. Remember, no amount of cleaning can make a used gas can safe for consumption. Embrace the novelty and humor of this idea, but prioritize everyone’s well-being!
19. Pet Feeder
Add some humor to your party by using a dog or cat feeder as a drinking vessel! While a simple dog bowl works fine, the giant dog feeder with the canister is even more uproarious and entertaining to drink from. Embrace the hilarity of this choice for a truly memorable and quirky experience at your event!
20. Ketchup Bottle
For an incredibly inexpensive and effortless option, consider using an empty ketchup bottle as a drinking vessel. The humor in this choice lies in the illusion of drinking ketchup, especially if you fill it with red liquid. Get ready to tickle everyone’s funny bone as you enjoy your drink from this comical and creative container!
21. Tissue Box
This is undoubtedly one of the most imaginative ideas we’ve come across for an anything but cups party! The concept involves using a tissue box holder filled with a cleverly chosen drink receptacle. It might require a bit of creativity, but if you can pull it off, it will look absolutely hilarious and make your party stand out with its unique charm!
22. Cleaning Spray Bottle
We must admit, we were initially fooled by this idea as well, as the liquid in the bottle resembled a window cleaner! To recreate this quirky concept, simply clean out a spray bottle and fill it with your preferred drink. For an extra touch of realism, you can add a few drops of food coloring to make it look even more convincing. Get ready to surprise and delight your guests with this creative and amusing drink presentation!
23. Iron
To be completely honest, we are not entirely sure how this girl is drinking out of the iron, but it’s undeniably hilarious! It seems like she might have taken a new clothing iron and filled the water tank with her drink. However, do keep in mind that not all irons may have a hole that can accommodate a straw, so it’s crucial to check before committing to this amusing cup idea. Proceed with caution and enjoy the humor and creativity of this quirky choice!
24. Overalls Pocket
This idea has become one of our favorites due to its simplicity and cleverness! Just line the pocket of some overalls with plastic or a ziplock bag and insert a straw for your drink. However, be cautious not to dance too vigorously, as you wouldn’t want any wardrobe malfunctions! Embrace the ingenuity and have a blast sipping your drink from this quirky and practical setup at the party!
25. Hot Sauce Bottle
Here’s another amusing and inventive idea for your anything but a cup party: use an empty hot sauce bottle! It’s a straightforward, budget-friendly, and practical choice. For an added humorous touch, consider filling it with a red drink or adding a few drops of red food coloring to your preferred beverage. Get ready to spice up the party with this comical and creative drink container!
Other Anything But A Cup Party Ideas
26. Dog bowl
27. Coconut shell
28. Fish bowl
29. Flower pot
30. Cookie jar
31. Conch shell
32. Construction hard hat
33. Empty pill bottles
34. Piggy bank
35. Syringe
36. Plunger
37. Chemistry beaker
38. Medieval beer horn
39. Measuring cup
40. Rain boot
41. Blender
42. Frying pan
43. Light bulb
44. Pool noodle
45. Beer helmet
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an anything but a cup party?
An anything but a cup party is a creative and quirky college dorm party where guests are encouraged to bring non-cup items to use as drinking vessels. Instead of traditional cups, participants use items like shoes, buckets, flower vases, and more to enjoy their mocktails and cocktails.
How does anything but a cup party work?
The concept is simple! Each guest brings a non-cup item of their choice to use as a drinking vessel throughout the event. From there, they get to enjoy their drinks in fun and unconventional ways, embracing the theme’s goal of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Why should I host an anything but a cup party?
Hosting an anything but a cup party adds a unique twist to your gathering, making it memorable and enjoyable for everyone. The trend has gained popularity on social media, showcasing its appeal to partygoers looking for a fresh and engaging experience with friends.
How can I prepare for an anything but a cup party?
To prepare for the party, inform your guests about the theme, specifying that they should bring a non-cup item for their drinks. Encourage creativity and let them know that the goal is to have fun and come up with inventive ways to enjoy their beverages.
What kind of non-cup items can guests bring to the party?
The possibilities are endless! Guests can bring any non-cup item they find amusing and suitable for holding drinks. Common choices include shoes, buckets, flower vases, mason jars, teapots, and even quirky objects like mini umbrellas or toy figurines.
Do I need to provide cups for other uses during the party?
No, the essence of the anything but a cup party is to avoid using traditional cups altogether. Encourage your guests to embrace the theme fully and explore the creativity of using their chosen items for drinks.
Can non-alcoholic beverages be served at the party?
Absolutely! Anything but a cup party allows for both mocktails and cocktails. Whether your guests prefer non-alcoholic drinks or creative alcoholic concoctions, the party is about enjoying beverages in unique ways.
Is it difficult to organize an anything but a cup party?
Not at all! Planning an anything but a cup party can be a breeze. Simply communicate the theme to your guests, prepare a variety of drinks, and let the creativity flow. The unconventional aspect of the party adds to its charm and ensures a fun-filled event.
What makes an anything but a cup party different from other college parties?
The unique aspect of an anything but a cup party lies in the use of non-cup items for drinks. It fosters creativity, encourages active participation, and ensures a night full of laughter and bonding with friends in an exciting and unconventional setting.
Final Thoughts
The anything but a cup party is the ultimate college dorm party that promises to be creative, quirky, and a ton of fun. By embracing this unique theme, you’re inviting your guests to be part of a trend that’s gaining immense popularity on social media. It encourages everyone to get involved, showcase their creativity, and create lasting memories.
So, ditch the cups and bring out the shoes, buckets, flower vases, or anything else for your drinks. This party is all about celebrating with friends economically while embracing the joy of out-of-the-box thinking. With active participation and a touch of whimsy, your anything but a cup party is sure to be an unforgettable and one-of-a-kind event that will have everyone talking about it for years to come.