What would you do to reuse?

So, I've got this small collection of chocolate containers.

Sure, they're small now, but given time these tins could rule the world...

For some reason -- probably having grown up among the Depression Era memories of my grand-relatives -- I am loathe to throw away obviously useful things. When I lived in my house, I had amassed a collection of French Market coffee tins that I couldn't reuse fast enough. When I had to sell my house, I still had over 40 to get rid of. I don't drink coffee anymore, but I do have a tendre for drinking chocolate. This is an expensive addiction so I don't indulge it too often, still....Since there is no place around me that sells just refills (I'd have to order those online and deal with shipping that is almost as much as the chocolate), I instead go and buy more in a new container.

Anyway, there a number of ways I could reuse the pretty packaging -- Candy, tea, writing instruments, marbles, yarn odds-n-ends, etc. I'm sure given enough time, I could think of plenty to do with these things. But I'd also like to see what the Curbly community could come up with.

Please note: I'm not asking for help with this for myself -- I'm just interested in what others would do with something that's distinctive like this, given no restrictions.

So, what would you do with a durable, reusable, colorful, reasonably pretty container that once held a decadent treat? Feel free to share!

Tagged:
Reuse metal color mariebelle containers

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April 08, 2007

8 comments | 831 views |

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rucyrucy

April 28, 2007

Most tins can be painted, quite easily, giving them a whole new graphic impact, I use mine for: bathroom necessities (cotton balls, Q-Tips, etc); in my office to hold pencils, pens, scissors, etc; and occasionally to package homemade tea or spice blends for gift giving (a friend gets half the organic lavender I grow in my yard for cooking).

denisemichelle

April 14, 2007

I have some tins from a holiday gift set... I was thinking about making punch-tin luminaries out of them. One tip- fill with water and freeze before punching your holes- it helps the tin keep it's shape as you hammer the nail.

jasimar

April 09, 2007

I'm with Bruno. I keep Q-tips and cotton balls in my old Oolong Tea tins.

bruno

April 09, 2007

I think I'd use them for washroom materials (soaps, shampoos, etc.). I love the deep brown color.

malleron

April 08, 2007

Mi.Jo -- If you have a screwdriver and a hammer, maybe you could hand-drill a couple of small holes in the lid and and attach a drawer pull? Perhaps prime the outside of the big tin and let the kiddo have at it with some paints? Or maybe spray paint the outside with chalkboard paint so the kiddo can draw on it with chalk?

Wow! Some really cool ideas so far! Thanks, guys, for thinking about this!! :-)

lilybee

April 08, 2007

Ooooh, you know what else you can do with tins like this? You can mess with the heads of archaeologists in the future....time capsules baby! yeah!

OR mi.jo you could use your big tin to store coffee grounds to use as nitrogen fertilizer for plants. Or to keep your compost-able organic waste indoors until it's ready to go outside (an airtight lid is useful for the stink factor.) These folks know about indoor compost.

mi.jo

April 08, 2007

Oh, me too! I have a big tin (about 1 foot tall) that held a huge quantity of Chinese cookies. I have to tell you the cookies were not very delicious, and the tin is not all that beautiful, but it's just such a good useful container, I can't throw it away. Roommate is not amused by my packrat tendencies, so I promised her if I can't find a use for it before we move (in 3 weeks) I will throw it out. Thought I could keep toys in it, but the kid can't get the top off by himself. Suggestions? The planter idea is cute, but this tin is too big and not really pretty enough.

lilybee

April 08, 2007

There's something really appealing about tins like this. My dad sends me a Fortnum and Mason hamper every year and it has really decorative tea tins. Last year I poked some holes into the bottom of them (when they were empty) then nailed them to the windowsill and planted Lobelia in them. Martha S. has something along the same lines.