Every now and again, I spot some vintage canisters at the thrift store. They vary in design, but they are almost always made of wood and are ripe for upcycling. Especially this pair of canisters, which were missing lids and reminded me of gift boxes.
I *love* wooden anything from Goodwill- it means I can paint it and really personalize it to my taste. And a quick search on Etsy showed me that these were, in fact, part of a set. But since the set was incomplete, and they were missing their lids, well…upcycling seemed like the perfect plan.
And here’s a funny side story- after I posted a picture of these, a friend of mine sent me a message because she had been the one to donate them in the first place! Isn’t that too funny?
I suppose that’s what happens when you’re friends with other local makers, thrifters, crafters, and lovers of vintage!
NOW I could start assembling the tea and coffee gifts I had in mind.
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Upcycling the Tea and Coffee Canisters into Wooden Gift Boxes
First, I wiped down the vintage canisters with a damp cloth. Then, I set up a painting area by protecting my counters and wall behind them.
I chose a white chalk paint to work with for their transformation.
When the paint was dry and I was satisfied with the coverage, I distressed the canisters a bit to give them a shabby chic/vintage look. I used a piece of fine-grain sandpaper that we had in the garage, and spent a little extra time on the front where the word carvings were.
Next, I applied some clear wax on them– inside and out- and buffed them to a satin-y smooth finish. Gosh, that wax step is so crucial- they were smooth as butter afterwards!
Now it was time to assemble everything! I had decided to turn these into gift boxes, complete with a cute mug and coffee/tea from the grocery store. How great is that?
The perfect gifts for tea lovers and coffee lovers, if you ask me! And yes, if you watched the TV show “Modern Family”, then you may recognize that mustache mug. It’s the same one that Cam used throughout the series!
First, I grabbed the two mugs I purchased from the thrift store to set into each wooden gift box. I ran them through my dishwasher first, of course!
Next, I piled each mug and canister with coffee pods and tea bags! And yes, I hate those plastic coffee pods- but that’s what my husband’s office uses, and these were heading with him to work.
I will say, though, that he very proudly uses a reusable k-cup filter and brings his own ground coffee into work from home!
Tea and Coffee Gifts in Vintage Canisters
Finally, I wrapped the tea and coffee canisters with clear cellophane and tied each one with a pretty ribbon. Talk about “from thrift to gift”, right?
I love that thrifting can be used for gifts as much as it can be done for yourself. I’m fairly certain that no one would have guessed that these were inspired by and created from items found at Goodwill- but my wallet sure knows.
And if you love coffee-inspired craft projects, then you’ll also enjoy these insulated coffee sleeves. They’re included in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”!
Here’s another great idea for gifts for tea lovers – a secret hidden pincushion and sewing caddy in a vintage teapot!
And if you’re interested in another way to upcycle some coffee mugs from the thrift store, this suet bird feeder is easy and perfect for your yard!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Love them! They look fantastic, Sadie, and you’re absolutely right–you’d never know they came from Goodwill. They are very professional looking–
Thank you so much, Diana!!
I love what you did with those boxes, Sarah!
Thank you so much!
well, aren’t you just so clever & talented! LOVE it! 🙂
Thank you, Brenda!
Such a cute idea!!
Thank you, Rose!
love this sarah pinned xx
Thank you, friend!
Fabulous upcycle of basically throwaways…. You prove one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Thanks
Thank you, Mary!
Found your blog on A Tray of Bliss and fell in love with your thrifty GW makeover.
Thank you so much!! Mimi’s great, isn’t she??
Wow! What a great idea! I love being thrifty and I love that no one would know that these came from goodwill!
http://www.thenannysaga.wordpress.com
Thank you- I’m hoping that’s the case!! 😉
What a great idea & thoughtful gift! I am always looking for new gift ideas for co-workers, etc. Thank you so much for sharing at Friday Favorites! Have a great weekend!
You are so welcome, Michelle!! I find that caffeine always makes my colleagues smile. 🙂
Coming from Best of the Weekend… What a super cute and sweet idea! I’ll have to keep my eye out for canisters to do something like this with! Thanks for sharing! ~Rhonda
Thank you, Rhonda!! (and thanks for the follow) 🙂
PS… Now following you! 🙂
I love thrift store shopping. I’ve stocked my cupboards with great dishes, my closet with great clothes for little to nothing, and my vintage camper with vintage goods that are far too expensive when you go looking for them in an antique store 🙂 I love your coffee and tea boxes. Isn’t repurposing so much fun 🙂 Found your link at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes Best of the Weekend!
Thanks!! That’s what my blog is all about- upcycling and repurposing, so you could say I love it just a little bit. 😉
I love these! What a great goodwill find!
Thank you!!
Super cute! I would love to receive that as a gift!
Right?? Me, too! 😉
I cannot believe what you create out of other peoples cast-offs Sarah! You never cease to amaze me. Thanks for sharing this at Five Star Frugal this week. Love, Mimi xxx
Awww, thank you so much, Mimi- I really appreciate that!
Hi Sarah,
Wow you did a great job painting the bins a pretty white color and I love that you added the mugs and tea coffee. How creative of you.
Thanks for sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
We love having you and enjoy the week.
Julie xo
Thanks so much, Julie! And thank you for hosting. 🙂
What a great idea! One of my favorite gifts was a set of miscellaneous tea cups and saucers that my sister picked out from several thrift shops. Something like this would go great to compliment a gift like that. They look amazing.
OMG these are such cute gifts!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks, Jess!
Popping over from Totally Terrific Tuesday =) super cute idea. I may have to hit up a thrift store and see what I can make. My mom has that cork tree placemat that was on the shelf below your bins at the thrift store. Come share your crafts, DIY’s, recipes & up-cycles at #2usestuesday (Mon PM to Fri PM) & your pinnable images at #Pinbellish (Fri AM to Tues AM) over at Sarah Celebrates if you don’t already!
Thanks for the invite, Sarah! I just linked up this post and my salad bowl pumpkin trinket box. 🙂
You have a gift, Sarah!
When I walk through the aisles at Goodwill, I don’t envision what you did! Great job on the transformations!
Found your post today on Grandma Ideas. I pinned you here: https://www.pinterest.com/melredd/blog-link-parties-and-blog-link-ups/
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Thank you so much, Melanie! I really appreciate it. 🙂
This is so awesome! I just went by my local thrift store yesterday and picked up some goodies! I was super inspired but all of the awesome things I saw!
Oooh, I’d love to see what you got!!
Here it is! http://www.lumberandlaundry.com/thrift-shop-find-pincushion-from-baking-dish/
What a great gift! Love what you have done! Thanks for sharing at Inspiration Thursday!
I love the wooden boxes with the white paint! Thrift shops are great places to find fun containers for gift baskets or boxes. Last year I started a tradition with my grands. I give them each a ‘thrift gift’. They loved it and had a hard time guessing which one was from the thrift shop. The adults loved it so much that I am going to give them a thrift gift this year as well. I’ve had all year to find that special gift for each. Can’t wait to give them to them this Christmas! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Hi, Sarah ~ I love wooden anything from our local thrift store, too! Such a fun and creative idea for gifts. I might have to head over to my local store tomorrow and see what I can find. Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday Link Party! See you Sunday night!
Thanks, Tiffany!!
This is an awesome idea and something to keep in mind this Christmas! I’d love for you to share this at our Wake Up Wednesday link party!
http://www.theorganizeddream.com/2015/09/wake-up-wednesday-88.html
Kate | The Organized Dream
Done and done- thanks for the invite!
Hi Sarah! Yet again, your wonderful post was one of the most viewed at Five Star Frugal. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on another feature. Love, Mimi xxx
Awesome! From trash to class in a jiffy!
Hurray for thrifty gifting! 😀
I can’t believe your friend donated them! That’s hilarious! They turned out fabulous… love anything thrifted that can be turned into a gift! Great job! Thanks for linking up over at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link Party! Can’t wait to see what you link up with us this week… hope to see you at the party tomorrow!
Too funny, right??
I love your creativity, these turned out great, I have pinned to share!!
Thanks for sharing on the #OMHGWW this week, hope to see you next week.
Following on Instagram now as well
Have a great week!
Karren
Thank you so much, Karren- I’ll be there! 😀
We love Goodwill at our house. Most of our furnishings and a lot of my closet have come from Goodwill but I’ve just started thinking about gifts from Goodwill. These are so cute and I love the fact that they have a “story” behind them. I like to gift all year to encourage people and let them know I care and these ideas are great !!! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much- it sounds like we’re cut from the same cloth!
Great idea for gifts. Thrifting is fun because you can find unusual things. Tweak them into a special gift is a great idea.
Thank you, Sarah!
I love handmade gifts like these. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Wow, you took something I’d never consider buying and made it fresh and gorgeous! Great job! Thanks for stopping by to Throwback Thursday with these darling gifts! Too bad it’s all virtual – I’d take that tea one in a heartbeat!
Thank you so much!
Sarah, these are fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Emily!!
I am so inspired! Perusing through the entires at the Creative Ways Link Party, I had to pause when I saw this. I love thrift shopping and looking for ways to make something new with someone’s cast-offs. This is just fabulous. Thanks for the inspiration. (And I bet that friend wishes she had not donated them now. 🙂 )
Thank you, Karen! She just thought it was the funniest thing- which it was!! 🙂
Super cute! Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Creative Ways Link Party.
Thanks, Anita!
Hi Sarah! You are a girl after my own heart! I love your Goodwill transformations! As a matter of fact, I am Featuring your Thrift-to-Gift tonight at our What to do Weekends Party! I hope you get a chance to pop over and see your Feature and feel free to grab our Party Button.
Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
~Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance
Thanks so much, Theresa- I’ll be there!!