DIY Repurposed Gift Cans

I'm officially in the get-ready-for-the-holidays mode, which means lots of holiday related handmade projects. Making handmade gifts has been one of my holiday traditions for years. I try to make most of the presents I give to my loved ones myself or at least include a handmade element into them. It's not always easy to squeeze in many big projects into an already busy season, but there are some quick and easy projects you can do to incorporate a little something handmade into your holiday givings. And if it includes repurposing trash items... Well, we have a winning combination.

These repurposed tin cans can be used in so many different ways. You could use them simply as gift wrapping if the item is small enough, or you could fill the can with delicious candy. And the best part is that the recipient can reuse it as storage for jewelry or other knick-knack.

Find out how to make these gift cans after the jump.


REPURPOSED TIN CANS

1. You will need a tin can, glue, thick white paper, gift wrapping paper, ruler, marker and scissors.
2. Take a sheet of thick paper and mark the hight of you tin can on paper. Roll the paper around the can until the paper overlaps by about 1 cm, make a mark there.
3. Now draw a quadrangle that's shorter side is the hight of the can and the longer side is the circumference of the can. Cut it out. Also cut the same quadrangle out of the pretty wrapping paper.
4. - 5. Time to clue the white thick base paper to the can. This will create a nice clear coat to apply the wrapping paper on. Cover the quadrangle you just cut with glue and glue it to the can. Let dry.
6. Once the base coat has dried, it's time to apply the top layer of wrapping paper. Cover the base paper with glue and glue the wrapping paper to the base paper. Make sure to line the edges correctly.
7. If you're using liquid glue like I was, you could be faced with the problem of air bubbles between the two layers of paper. This might not be a problem when using a glue stick (which I'm not sure why I didn't, lol).
8. To get the bubbles out and flatten the surface, add a little water to the glue and wet the surface of the paper and then smooth the bubbles with a tissue and your fingers. Be careful not to rip the paper.
9. Let it all dry completely. You can add ribbon, name tags, stickers, lace or whatever suits your fancy to personalize the can.

Happy making!

As always, leave your questions and other thoughts is the comments!