Inside: 29 easy and inspiring upcycled tin can Christmas crafts to make today for unique holiday decor.
Rather than chucking your empty tin cans straight into the recycling, why not keep a few for Christmas crafts? They’re a free resource that is strong and sturdy; the Christmas ornaments and decorations you make will last for years.
Upcycled Christmas crafts are the best and always add something unique to your decor. They’re better than the usual cheap, mass-produced decorations in the shop. Just because you have made your decorations from household waste doesn’t mean they can’t look high-end.
How To Prepare Tin Cans For Upcycling
Not only are tin cans sturdy to upcycle, but they come in various shapes and sizes, making them a versatile resource.
Here are a few things you can do to prepare your tin cans before upcycling them.
- Wash the tin cans in hot soapy water to remove any traces of food and smells.
- The labels should come away after soaking in hot water. But if they don’t, and to get rid of any sticky residue, use WD40 or rubbing alcohol.
- Smooth any sharp edges around the rims with a metal file.
How To Craft With Tin Cans For Christmas
There are many ways to decorate, manipulate and upcycle tin cans.
- Paint them with chalk and acrylic paints
- Decorate with spray paints
- Decoupage with paper & fabrics
- Cover with wallpaper
- Punch holes into the cans.
- Cut up and even crush cans for decoration.
Christmas Crafts WIth Upcycled Tin Cans
These are the best ideas for upcycling and repurposing tin cans for Christmas. From fun decorations and ornaments to hang on the tree to decorative centrepieces and lanterns, there will be something here you will want to try.
Rustic Farmhouse Floral Can Craft for Christmas
Craft an old tin can into a beautiful floral centrepiece for the table. The red truck print gives it a lovely vintage vibe.
DIY Personalized Snowglobe Ornaments
Turn old tuna cans and last year's Christmas cards into cute snowglobe ornaments for the tree.
Pine Cone Christmas Tree in Tin With Lights
Dip a small tin can in a tub of water and nail varnish to create a faux marble look. Then plant a pine cone Christmas tree to complete the festive look. A fun desktop Christmas decoration.
Rustic Christmas Centerpiece
Another joyful tin can centrepiece. It would also look fabulous on the mantle; so simple but stylish.
Sardine Tin Can Tree Ornaments
Decorate sardine cans with cut-up Christmas card pictures to make these beautiful diorama ornaments for the tree.
DIY Easy Upcycled Christmas Cannisters
Use vintage gift wrap and door knobs to craft retro Christmas tins. They remind me of the biscuit (cookie) barrel my grandma used to have.
How To Upcycle Tins With A Faux Marble Effect
Update some old coffee cans and cookie tins with a faux marble effect. These make great Christmas gift boxes for homemade baked goods.
Upcycled Tin Can Advent Calendar
Save up 24 soup and vegetable tin cans to make this fun upcycled advent calendar. There is a treat and joke in every tin can.
Snowman Hat Centerpiece
You'd never guess that this snowman centrepiece hat used to be a humble coffee tin.
Mini Tin Can Christmas Tree
Make mini Christmas trees from tin cans in various sizes.
A Coffee Tin Christmas Tree
Cut a coffee can into the shape of a Christmas tree to make a festive tea light holder.
Tin Can Snowman
What a fun tin can Christmas craft, making a delightful snowman.
Vintage Christmas Butterfly Ornament
A tin can Christmas craft for nature lovers with these beautiful butterfly ornaments. You'll find more paper Christmas crafts here.
Tin Can Crowns
Cut the tin cans open and out to create these fun crowns. Use as tea lights or planters for the Christmas table or mantle.
Duck Tape Succulent Planters
Use Christmas-themed duct tape to make festive tin can planters.
Tin Can Christmas Tree Activity
This recycled Christmas tree is just the cutest. I love the colourful pom pom garland too.
A Glam Gold Sequin Tin Can Planter
Decorate a tin can with sequins to make a glamorous planter.
Tin Cans Succulent Christmas Tree
An alternative living Christmas tree with the tin can succulent planters.
Punched Tin Ornament Tutorial
A safe way to illuminate your tree is with these adorable tin can ornaments. There are so many different festive designs you could punch into the cans.
Recycled Tin Can Snowmen
Another cute snowman tin can Christmas craft. I love the ear muff detail.
Chunky Knit Planter
Give your tin can a cosy, chunky knit sweater with a platted clay surround.
DIY Snowman Tin Can Toss Game
Another set of cute tin can snowmen, but this one is a fun game for both adults and kids.
DIY Tin Can Christmas Wreath...
Paint and string tin cans together to make a festive upcycled wreath for the front door.
Christmas In A Sardine Tin Tutorial
Another sardine can ornament idea; this one uses scrap fabric and paper scraps for decoration
Flannel Cans
Repurpose old flannel shirts and cans to make festive winter centrepieces for the table.
Coffee Tin Santa Centerpiece
This Santa cans decoration is so cute and festive.
DIY Christms themed Pencil Pots
Craft tin cans into festive pencil pots for the kids. Choose from Santa, Rudolph and Elf.
Christmas Candy Cans
Get the kids involved with these Christmas finger-printed holiday designs on tin cans.
Make Repurposed Map Empty Cookie Tins
Upcycle your empty cookie tins leftover from Christmas with old maps. Add leather handles for a more sophisticated travel themed look.
Other Tin Can Craft Ideas
Tin cans aren’t just for Christmas! They are great fun to repurpose and upcycle all year round. Check out all these beautiful tin can planter ideas and Easter tin cans. Or even how to make a lovely decoupaged windchime for your spring garden.
Other upcycling resources to make Christmas decorations from include;
Pin for later!
Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal
Wednesday 18th of October 2023
What wonderful ideas! I always love when you share so many ideas in one post, such inspiration. <3
Claire Armstrong
Thursday 19th of October 2023
Thank you, I love to think of many ways to upcycle waste.