Reusable wrapped gift canisters

Food canisters wrapped as gifts, photo

Here’s a last-minute idea for us last-minute gift wrappers. I felt guilty about discarding those round, sturdy cardboard canisters that hold nuts, cocoa, and other foods. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think they can be recycled (aluminum + cardboard?). But they definitely can be reused! Here, I covered them in gift wrap and tied on ribbon — and they can be reused year after year to hold anything from cookies to socks. Or you could wrap them in everyday decorative paper and use them as pencil holders or storage containers. I just thought they were too cute to toss. (The blue and green is for you, Carolyn!)

Food canisters, photo

How to make reusable wrapped gift canisters

SUPPLIES & TOOLS
  • wrapping paper

  • scissors

  • glue (I used rubber cement)

  • ruler

  • round food canisters

  • clear cellophane tape

  • ribbon

  • paper towel

INSTRUCTIONS
Supplies for gift wrapping canisters, photo

1. Gather your supplies. Clean out the empty canisters with a dry paper towel.

Measure the can, photo

2. Measure the height of the cardboard portion of the canister. (You will not cover the metal part of the can.)

Cut wrapping paper, photo

3. Cut a piece of wrapping paper that height, roll it around the can, and trim to fit—leaving a couple inches of overlap.

Glue on the wrapping paper, photo

4. Apply glue to one end of the paper, then stick it to the canister. Pull the paper tight as you wrap it around, then apply glue to the other end of the paper and press down. If you wish, you can apply glue to more than just the ends.

Tape the ribbon to the bottom, photo

5. Reattach the lid and tie a bow around the package. For a quick video tutorial on how to tie a perfect Tiffany-style bow, click here. Just tape the ribbon to the bottom of round packages first — it makes the process so much easier. By the way, thinner ribbon looks better and is easier to tie around small round packages.

Adjust and cut the ends of the ribbon, photo

6. Adjust the ribbon and cut ends as desired.

Tape the other side of ribbon to the bottom, photo

7. Tape the other side of the ribbon to the bottom as well to keep it secure. You’re done!

Crafty Nest reusable wrapped gift cannisters Pinterest image

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Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!