Paint Can Gift Container Ideas For Your Holiday Gifts

Have you been baking a lot this holiday season? If you like to give your goodies away, then you will need a container for them. You can certainly share cookies on a plate or buy a plastic container. But I like to make my gift containers special. One of my favorite containers, over the years, has been to decorate paint cans. It’s easy, inexpensive and they’re reusable. Here are some paint can gift container ideas.

You can purchase brand new, empty paint cans from your local hardware store. They will usually come in a quart or gallon size. Choose the size that works well for the number of cookies or treats you want to give. Then decorate the outside with fabric, paper or even paint. Add some trim and fill them up for a unique gift container.

And you don’t have to stop with food. You can use these containers to give other gifts or even for display in your home. They also make a fun container for a bouquet of flowers. Let me show you how easy it is to create one-of-a-kind paint can gift containers. I made a variety of containers in an afternoon.

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Supplies…

Paint cans in various sizes
Seasonal craft paper and chalkboard paint
Craft glue for paper
Embellishments, tags, and ribbon
Scissors
Foam paintbrush

How to make Paint Can Gift Containers…

Wash the inside of your cans and allow to dry. These containers are not produced to be food safe so make sure and wash thoroughly. Then when you fill them, be sure to line the container with wax paper, saran or foil just to be safe.
Measure the height and circumference of the paint can.
For paper: Cut the paper to fit your quart size paint can. You will need to add an extra section of paper as the standard size craft paper is not long enough. Glue the small section on first and then the full-size sheet. For the gallon size paint cans, cut a front side and back side piece of paper. Here’s how to cut holes around the handle. Take a 3×5 card and place it beside the handle area, flush with the top. Estimate where the hole is and draw a half circle. Cut this out and test to see if it fits. Keep trimming until the half circle fits over the handle area about halfway. Now cut 4 half circles on the top sides of your decorative paper. Just line up the 3×5 card with the top and side edges, mark the hole and cut. Check to make sure the holes line up and the side seams completely cover the paint can.
Spread glue on your can. Carefully place the paper on the can adjusting while still wet. Smooth out any folds or air bubbles as you go.
Allow the glue to dry. Then you can add contrasting fabric such as ricrac or additional layers of paper if desired. I kept my cans simple with just one layer.
Finish with ribbon or twine. Tie on ribbon, attach embellishments such as bells, bits of faux evergreen, mini-pinecones, words, tags, and other decor items.
For chalkboard paint: You can paint free-hand or use painters tape to mask off the lines. I used a paint bucket that had natural markings so I just followed those. Paint a layer of chalkboard paint onto your can. Allow to dry. Add at least 2 more paint layers, allowing to dry between layers. After the final layer, let the paint dry for 24 hours. Then season your chalkboard by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk all over the surface. Wipe clean and you’re ready to write on your can. Add ribbons and tags as above.
Line your paint can gift container and fill with your goodies or gift item. Top with a piece of saran and then seal the container with the lid. Use a soft mallet to gently hammer the lid on. You might want to give a paint lid can-opener with your container. For the bucket, line with tissue and fill with gifts. For food, line with saran or wax paper and add food items.