How to Recycle a Cookie Tin

Cookie tins are a useful—and fetching—way to package baked goods or other homemade items to give as gifts. They ship easily and do not even need to be wrapped. You can find cookie tins at thrift stores and yard sales, often for a quarter or less. However, if the tin is old, scratched up or otherwise unattractive, you may not want to give it as a gift. These steps will show you how to make a cookie tin look better than new.

Things You'll Need

• Cookie tin
• Medium-grit sandpaper or sanding sponge
• Spray paint
• Glue or hot glue gun
• Old holiday card or calendar page
• Clear acrylic spray
• Cardboard box

Instructions

1. Measure the size and shape of the top of the cookie tin lid. Cut a holiday card (or calendar or magazine page) to fit. Also consider making a collage using several holiday cards.

2. Sand the entire outside of the cookie tin and lid. While you do not have to remove all of the original paint or artwork, you do need to make sure it is no longer shiny anywhere.

3. Place the lid on the cookie tin and set the tin inside an old cardboard box.

4. Spray the cookie tin with a coating of spray paint. Allow the paint to dry and spray on another coat of paint. Repeat this process until the tin is the color you desire and there are no bare spots. You do not have to paint the bottom of the tin. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

5. Glue the holiday card or other picture you cut out in Step 1 onto the cookie tin lid. Place the tin back inside the cardboard box and spray it with clear acrylic. Allow it to dry and add another coat. This will give the tin and picture gloss and help the picture adhere better to the lid.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are artistic, you may want to hand-paint a design on the cookie tin lid. Consider personalizing it with the recipient's name or the date.

• Make sure you paint in a well-ventilated area and on a flat, even surface.

Resources

• Sanding Sponges
• Clear Acrylic Spray