If you’re looking for a gift for a friend who is hitting a monumental birthday (or just a regular birthday), our DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift is perfect.
For more craft ideas, check out all of our DIY posts.
A few years ago, so many people we knew were turning 40. And they all seemed to dread it, like a rite of passage they’re just not ready for. I get it. Any monumental birthday past 21 sucks. And what better way to get that across than with a DIY lollipop tower with 40 lollipops — suckers, if you will — and the words “40 Sucks” on top.
It really was a great way to get everyone to laugh about the momentous special occasion.
Every time we brought this gift to a party, the birthday girl or boy put it out in the center of the table where the food was. Guests would come up for a sweet treat, which meant the birthday person wasn’t left eating the entire candy tower by themselves.
Now, quick side note. I’m calling this a lollipop tower because that’s the word I use. And calling this a sucker tower just sounds weird. But it’s a play on the word sucker.
If you got Blow Pops instead, you could write, “40 Blows” on top. Either works. But Blow Pops are way more expensive and heavier than regular lollipops. So, in our opinion, Dum-Dums (or whatever brand you find in store) are the best lollipop for this. They’re lighter, so the tower won’t fall over, and they’re lighter on your wallet too.
And, of course, you can make this for any age over 21. Because 21 is amazing. Everything after that kind of sucks or blows … until you get to around 80. Then every birthday after that is a blessing.
DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift
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DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift Supplies:
How To Make A DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift:
Cut a piece of decorative mesh. Affix it to the bottom of the foam floral cone with a pin.
Wrap the decorative mesh around the cone completely, using a pin at the top to hold in in place.
One layer of decorative mesh is enough.
Count out 40 lollipops (or whatever age your recipient is turning).
Stick the lollipops all around the tower. You can stick the lollipop stick haphazardly, but keep in mind that you want the tower to stand on its own when you’re done. So try and keep the lollipops symmetrical, if you can, and add more to the bottom layers so the tower isn’t top heavy.
When you have all the lollipops in the tower, cut another piece or two of decorative mesh and weave it between the lollipops to give the tower a little more fullness.
Write your message on the white card stock with the marker. Cut it out and tape it to the skewer.
Stick the skewer down the center of the top of the tower. Push it down as far as it will go without coming out the bottom of your foam floral cone.
If it does go through the bottom, it’s not the end of the world. Just push it back through the bottom. You don’t want it to stick out of the floral cone because then, the tower won’t stand.
DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift: Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve made this gift numerous times and sometimes I’m able to find floral cones in craft stores and sometimes they’re sold out. In that case, I just purchase a foam wreath base. It’s basically the same thing, but round instead of a cone. That one works better if you’re giving it to an older person because you’ll need more lollipops to fill it.
I did that for a neighbor’s 60th birthday party and it was such a huge hit. In fact, everyone assumed it was a crown and made the birthday boy wear it on his head.
Another alternative, which I’ve gotten when I couldn’t find a foam cone, was a floral foam block. You have to be a little more methodical about how you’re putting the lollipops in when you’re using that, but you can make it work.
When I made one using the foam wreath base, a wooden skewer was just too tall and didn’t look right. So instead, I used wooden chopsticks.
I wouldn’t suggest using wooden dowels instead because those are generally pretty long and require a table saw to cut them and that’s just too much work.
I like decorative mesh because you can get it in a bunch of different colors, so you can fit the theme of the party (if you’re making this tower for that). Plus, it’s meant for floral décor, so it really plays well with the floral foam.
If you can’t find any in store, or if you’re just looking for something you already have at home, you could use tulle instead.
More homemade birthday gift ideas:
If you’re looking for more gifts to make, we have a few ideas for you. If you like candy gifts, our DIY Candy Puns Birthday Gift is a great gift idea for someone with a sweet tooth. It’s filled with candy bars and boxes of colorful candies with funny birthday-related puns attached to them.
If you’re sticking with the turning 40 trend, our 40 Is Fine When You Look 29 Mug is a fun way to make your recipient feel better about hitting 40.
And, if you want something personal that’s not necessarily age or birthday related, our Homemade Photo Coasters are a nice way to relive some memories from birthdays past.
More lollipop crafts:
If you have extra lollipops left over from this craft, hang on to them for Halloween. Then, make our DIY Halloween Ghost Lollipop Holders. Those are really cute to give out to any trick-or-treaters who come to your door.
DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift
If you're looking for a gift for a friend who is hitting a monumental birthday (or just a regular birthday), our DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift is perfect.
Materials
- Foam floral cone
- Decorative mesh
- Lollipops
- Fine straight pins
- Wooden skewer
- Tape
- White card stock
- Marker
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut a piece of decorative mesh. Affix it to the bottom of the foam floral cone with a pin.
- Wrap the decorative mesh around the cone completely, using a pin at the top to hold in in place.
- Count out 40 lollipops (or whatever age your recipient is turning).
- Stick the lollipops all around the tower.
- Cut another piece or two of decorative mesh and weave it between the lollipops to give the tower a little more fullness.
- Write your message on the white card stock with the marker. Cut it out and tape it to the skewer.
- Stick the skewer down the center of the top of the tower.
Notes
Try and keep the lollipops symmetrical, if you can, and add more to the bottom layers so the tower isn’t top heavy.
Did you make this DIY Lollipop Tower Birthday Gift for a friend? Let us know how it went in the comments.
Sandy
Saturday 23rd of April 2022
This is so cute!!!! My husband will be 60 this year and I'm going to give this a try! Any ideas for sayings on 60?
drugstore diva lisa
Sunday 24th of April 2022
For this tower, you could still say, "60 Sucks" (since it's 60 lollipops). But my favorite saying for turning 60 (or any age 40 or older) is: "You're Not 60, You're 20 With 40 Years Of Experience."
Cindy Ingalls
Wednesday 20th of November 2019
This tower is so fun. I love that it works for both adult and kid bday celebrations.
Erin
Friday 15th of November 2019
I love it! Such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing.
Linda S
Monday 11th of November 2019
very fun idea! It's always great to be able to give a unique and clever gift for a special birthday.
Myrah Duque
Thursday 7th of November 2019
I like this cool tower. It's something I have a feeling my daughter would be interested in. Great birthday idea indeed.