The questions keep on rolling in! Put your thinking caps on – we have an “out of the box” question. Reader Linda V. asks: I would really like to see some projects created with the great containers from these chocolates! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the heart containers will be up for grabs! I also have Christmas trees, a star, a pyramid, a bunny, etc. these just have to be great for SOMETHING!
Does anyone have any good creative ideas for reusing these boxes?
Heather Mann is chief editor of Dollar Store Crafts, and specializes in transforming inexpensive materials into stylish and simple craft projects. She has appeared on the Martha Stewart Show, in Reader’s Digest and the New York Times. DSC has been recognized as named one of Babble.com’s Top 10 Best Overall Craft Blogs (2011 & 2012) and Apartment Therapy’s 10 Crafty Blogs We Love (2010). Her work has been viewed by millions on the cover of FamilyFun magazine and on top websites such as RealSimple, Huffington Post, ABCNews.com, and others.
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16 Comments
Amy G.
Decoupage and turn into a gift!
Laura
Jewerly storage
Heather C.
Would it be possible to make the heart one into some sort of pendant lighting? Like in a little girl’s room or a nursery???….
modpodge some tissur paper or decorative napkins on the outsides and use the bottoms of the containters for dips and veggie serving trays around the holidays. Maybe deviled eggs in the bunny? Or use them as creative packaging for gift giving. Baking cookeis for someone for Valentines day or Christmas? Put them in one of these containers and tie with a festive ribbon. Make them into a centerpiece with a big pillar candle in the middle, and potporri filling the dish, or multiple smaller votive candles. Fill with battery operated Christmas lights and use for mood lighting!
Uta
The heart shaped container would be great for a child or a teenager to keep fashion earrings or rings.
You could paint the clear lid with window colours or mod podge them, then insert some led lights.
Fill them with some decorations like flowers or potpourri (punch some holes into the lid).
Make an accordionstyle scrapbook in the shape of the container (e.g. photos of last years Easter egg hunt for the bunny).
teri
Use them as big cookie cutters.
Another idea, fill them with colored tinsel (green for the tree, red and/or pink for the heart) and use them as holiday decorations.
The jewelry holders sound great, but I would think the chains and rings would get tangled if you just dropped them in there. My idea is to use the shaped bottom as dip containers for dinners or as desk organizers for loose paperclips and what-not.
I’ve used the trays from the square Ferrerro Rocher candy boxes as paint pallets for my young kids- they don’t hold much, which is great for limiting the amount of paint out at a time. You could also use the trays as molds for melt-old-crayons-and-pour-new-crayons.
We never get to repurpose old boxes like this, because my kids claim them as treasure boxes for rock, stick, sticker, etc. collections.
kath
I’ve refilled them with a different type of candy and given them as gifts to my family and friends. My hubby likes Goobers and peanut M&Ms, so I replace the original candy with them. My daughter likes to make candy like peanut butter cups, so the containers are great for that also.
Hertzey
Use marbles and paint on the inside to make a cool swirly pattern, then use for pretty storage or as wrapping for small presents.
I saw on Craft where they took a regular heart shaped cardboard box and made another insert for it with different sized compartments and then filled them with electronics parts for someone who likes to electronic work. You could so similar with scrapbooking supplies, beads, jewelry findings, etc.
Refill them with homemade chocolate dipped candies and truffles & give out as gifts.
Nicole
Use the containers as ring holders. Fill the circles with sponges and make a slit in the centre to hold the ring in place. Also you could use felt by folding the felt like an accordion. Then glue the outer sides of the felt but leave the centre for the ring. Also with the shaped boxes, you could make a wreath for your door by removing the packaging and use whatever materials you have or want to create a shaped wreath ornament. With the Tree shaped box, you could even drill holes in the centre of each spot and stick Christmas lights in the holes, and there you have a lit tree ornament.
Mary Lou
Heres an idea: paint the inside with stained glass paint (u could even use faux leading to make a stained glass picture on the inside bottom. Place the lid on, mark and drill a hole at the top through both lid and bottom, Add a hanging wire or string. Glue lid to bottom securely and hang as a sun catcher. Also if you lubed the inside u could use them as two part molds for plaster, etc. When dry, unmold paint for wall/door decor
The heart shaped one would be perfect to display elements from a Valentines or birthday party and the tree would be great to showcase Christmas events or any trip to the outdoors.
Fill them with photos, ticket-stubs, leaves, sand, shells, ribbons you received off presents and so on.
I made a jar out of leftovers from my daughter’s 4th birthday mermaid party, but the idea is transferable to just about anything!
16 Comments
Amy G.
Decoupage and turn into a gift!
Laura
Jewerly storage
Heather C.
Would it be possible to make the heart one into some sort of pendant lighting? Like in a little girl’s room or a nursery???….
Sara
modpodge some tissur paper or decorative napkins on the outsides and use the bottoms of the containters for dips and veggie serving trays around the holidays. Maybe deviled eggs in the bunny? Or use them as creative packaging for gift giving. Baking cookeis for someone for Valentines day or Christmas? Put them in one of these containers and tie with a festive ribbon. Make them into a centerpiece with a big pillar candle in the middle, and potporri filling the dish, or multiple smaller votive candles. Fill with battery operated Christmas lights and use for mood lighting!
Uta
The heart shaped container would be great for a child or a teenager to keep fashion earrings or rings.
You could paint the clear lid with window colours or mod podge them, then insert some led lights.
Fill them with some decorations like flowers or potpourri (punch some holes into the lid).
Make an accordionstyle scrapbook in the shape of the container (e.g. photos of last years Easter egg hunt for the bunny).
teri
Use them as big cookie cutters.
Another idea, fill them with colored tinsel (green for the tree, red and/or pink for the heart) and use them as holiday decorations.
Rebecca
The jewelry holders sound great, but I would think the chains and rings would get tangled if you just dropped them in there. My idea is to use the shaped bottom as dip containers for dinners or as desk organizers for loose paperclips and what-not.
Myrnie
I’ve used the trays from the square Ferrerro Rocher candy boxes as paint pallets for my young kids- they don’t hold much, which is great for limiting the amount of paint out at a time. You could also use the trays as molds for melt-old-crayons-and-pour-new-crayons.
We never get to repurpose old boxes like this, because my kids claim them as treasure boxes for rock, stick, sticker, etc. collections.
kath
I’ve refilled them with a different type of candy and given them as gifts to my family and friends. My hubby likes Goobers and peanut M&Ms, so I replace the original candy with them. My daughter likes to make candy like peanut butter cups, so the containers are great for that also.
Hertzey
Use marbles and paint on the inside to make a cool swirly pattern, then use for pretty storage or as wrapping for small presents.
JessA
You could make a nice wall hanging by gluing felt circles on them, like this tutorial I found on Pinterest: http://mycreativedeparture.com/2011/01/19/heartfelt-tutorial/
Caroline
I saw on Craft where they took a regular heart shaped cardboard box and made another insert for it with different sized compartments and then filled them with electronics parts for someone who likes to electronic work. You could so similar with scrapbooking supplies, beads, jewelry findings, etc.
Beth Miller
Refill them with homemade chocolate dipped candies and truffles & give out as gifts.
Nicole
Use the containers as ring holders. Fill the circles with sponges and make a slit in the centre to hold the ring in place. Also you could use felt by folding the felt like an accordion. Then glue the outer sides of the felt but leave the centre for the ring. Also with the shaped boxes, you could make a wreath for your door by removing the packaging and use whatever materials you have or want to create a shaped wreath ornament. With the Tree shaped box, you could even drill holes in the centre of each spot and stick Christmas lights in the holes, and there you have a lit tree ornament.
Mary Lou
Heres an idea: paint the inside with stained glass paint (u could even use faux leading to make a stained glass picture on the inside bottom. Place the lid on, mark and drill a hole at the top through both lid and bottom, Add a hanging wire or string. Glue lid to bottom securely and hang as a sun catcher. Also if you lubed the inside u could use them as two part molds for plaster, etc. When dry, unmold paint for wall/door decor
partycraftsecrets
Make Memory Jars!!
The heart shaped one would be perfect to display elements from a Valentines or birthday party and the tree would be great to showcase Christmas events or any trip to the outdoors.
Fill them with photos, ticket-stubs, leaves, sand, shells, ribbons you received off presents and so on.
I made a jar out of leftovers from my daughter’s 4th birthday mermaid party, but the idea is transferable to just about anything!
http://partycraftsecrets.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/memory-jar-magic.html