Upcycle Dollar Store Tins Into Trendy Gift Containers
Get multiple uses from budget tin boxes with this easy decorating hack.
![Dollar Store Tin Upcycle Upcycled Tin Boxes With Dot Paper, Gold Accents, Yard Handles](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Beauty-10.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169856.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/editorial/profiles/editors/Rachael-Jones/rachael-jones-headshot.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.91.91.85.suffix/1677080765411.webp)
It’s that time of year: gifting season. Round up a few of those holiday tin boxes you’ve been collecting and give them a trendy makeover. See how HGTV.com stylist Cassidy Garcia turns dollar store Christmas tins into festive, fun containers perfect for any occasion.
![Dollar Store Tin Upcycle: Christmas Gift Tins Holiday Lunchbox and Mailbox on Work Table](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-1.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169535.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Materials + Tools
- tin lunchbox
- tin mailbox
- decoupage glue
- chalk paint
- card stock
- assorted ribbons, yarn
- wood ball knob
- glitter
- adhesive glitter sticker
- scissors
- low-temp hot glue gun
- pencil
Tin Mailbox Makeover
![Dollar Store Tin Upcycle Upcycled Tin Box With Polka Dot Paper, Gold Accents, Wood Handle](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Beauty-7.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169767.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Paint + Decorate
Paint the tin mailbox with a coat of white chalk paint (Image 1). Let dry according to the instructions on the paint. Create a cutting template by placing a sheet of decorative card stock onto the mailbox and tracing the shape with a pencil. Then use scissors to cut out the shapes. Tip: Use a ruler or paper trimmer for extra accuracy (Image 2). Next, add a coat of decoupage glue to the mailbox and affix the trimmed, decorative card stock to the tin (Image 3). Once in place, add another coat of decoupage glue over the decorative card stock to seal. Repeat the steps above until the tin is fully covered and sealed. Let dry for several hours or overnight.
![Paint the tin lunchbox and mailbox with white chalk paint.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-2a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169438.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Turn holiday gift card holders into fun containers for any occasion with Cassidy Garcia's easy step-by-step guide. To make, you will need a dollar store tin mailbox and lunchbox, chalk paint, cardstock, ribbons, ball fringe trim, decoupage glue, decorative adhesive paper, glitter, a low-temp hot glue gun, ruler, scissors, paper trimmer and a wood bead knob.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-2b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169237.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Add a coat of decoupage glue to the painted mailbox and then add the trimmed decorative paper on top.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169476.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Glitter Flag + Gift Tag
Lay the mailbox on its side with the flag side facing up. Add a coat of decoupage glue to the flag. Then hold a spare piece of paper beneath the flag while sprinkling on a generous amount of glitter (Image 1). Tip: Sprinkle the excess glitter back onto the flag to ensure good coverage. Next, use a low-temp hot glue gun to adhere a wood ball knob to the top of the mailbox (Image 2). Next, tie together a few pieces of leftover ribbon, yarn or ball fringe trim to make a personal gift tag (Image 3) and loop around the wooden ball. Place a cute gift inside and surprise a friend (Image 4).
![Add a coat of decoupage glue to the mailbox flag, then sprinkle a layer of glitter on top.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-5.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169531.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Add a dot of glue from a low-temp hot glue gun to the top of the decorated tin mailbox. Then add the wooden knob to the glue.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-6.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169573.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Create a cute yarn gift tag by looping together ribbons and ball fringe trim and affixing to the wooden knob.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-7.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169352.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Turn holiday gift card holders into fun containers for any occasion with Cassidy Garcia's easy step-by-step guide. To make, you will need a dollar store tin mailbox and lunchbox, chalk paint, cardstock, ribbons, ball fringe trim, decoupage glue, decorative adhesive paper, glitter, a low-temp hot glue gun, ruler, scissors, paper trimmer and a wood bead knob.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Beauty-10.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169856.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Tin Lunchbox Makeover
![Dollar Store Tin Upcycle Upcycled Tin Box With Sparkly Letter "B" and Gold Accents, Yarn Handle](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Beauty-6.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169808.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Paint + Decorate
Remove the handle from the lunchbox. Paint the tin with a coat of white chalk paint. Let dry according to the instructions on the paint (Image 1). Create a cutting template by placing a sheet of decorative card stock onto the lunchbox and tracing the shape with a pencil. Then use scissors to cut out the shapes. Tip: Use a ruler or paper trimmer for extra accuracy (Image 2). Add a coat of decoupage glue to the lunchbox and affix the trimmed, decorative card stock to the inside (Image 3) and outside of the tin (Image 4). Once in place, add another coat of decoupage glue over the card stock to seal. Continue until the tin is fully covered and sealed. Let dry for several hours. Then, add an adhesive glitter sticker to the lunchbox to give it personalized flair.
![Paint the tin lunchbox and mailbox with white chalk paint.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-2a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169438.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Turn holiday gift card holders into fun containers for any occasion with Cassidy Garcia's easy step-by-step guide. To make, you will need a dollar store tin mailbox and lunchbox, chalk paint, cardstock, ribbons, ball fringe trim, decoupage glue, decorative adhesive paper, glitter, a low-temp hot glue gun, ruler, scissors, paper trimmer and a wood bead knob.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Step-2b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828169237.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Add a coat of decoupage glue to the inside of the tin and apply the decorative paper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/11/0/Original-Cassidy-Garcia_upcycle-tins_decorate-inside.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1607702543928.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Add a coat of decoupage glue to the outside of the tin and apply the decorative paper.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/11/0/Original-Cassidy-Garcia_upcycled-tins_decorate-lunchbox.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1607702543813.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
Make Ribbon Handle
Carefully press the sharp end of the scissors through the holes from the previous handle, piercing the decorative paper (Image 1). Combine leftover ribbon and yarn to make a new handle. Push the ends of each through the two holes in the tin and use scissors to trim the inside excess. Then use a low-temp hot glue gun to affix the ends to the inside of the lunchbox (Image 2). Fill with a thoughtful gift and send some glittery cheer (Image 3).
![Carefully use scissors to make a new hole where the previous handle holes were in the tin.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/11/0/Original-Cassidy-Garcia_upcycle-tins_make-handle.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1607702543881.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Using a low-temp hot glue gun, apply a few dots of glue to secure the inside ribbon handles to the tin.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/11/0/Original-Cassidy-Garcia_upcycled-tins_glue-handle.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1607702543719.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Turn holiday gift card holders into fun containers for any occasion with Cassidy Garcia's easy step-by-step guide. To make, you will need a dollar store tin mailbox and lunchbox, chalk paint, cardstock, ribbons, ball fringe trim, decoupage glue, decorative adhesive paper, glitter, a low-temp hot glue gun, ruler, scissors, paper trimmer and a wood bead knob.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2020/12/1/0/Original_Cassidy-Garcia_Dollar-Store-Christmas-Mailbox-Tin-Gift-Card-Holder_Beauty-2_WIDE-AS-REQUESTED.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1606828170464.webp)
Cassidy Garcia
![Dollar Store Gift Box Hack](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/8/88/887/8873/8873999.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1660745782946.webp)
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