I’ve received countless tins of cheese, caramel, and buttered popcorn over the years, and I’ve always thought what a shame was is to throw those large empty decorative tins away. Many are covered in beautiful winter scenes and designs, and they look nice . Once the popcorn is gone you can use these empty decorative tins in many practical ways.
If you’ve received large tins of popcorn for Christmas or for any occasion, before you throw the empty tins away, consider these ways to use them around the house. You may discover a practical use you’ve never thought of! Large tins of popcorn are really inexpensive considering the many ways they can be used and reused once they’re empty.
Wrapping Paper Storage
For years I stored rolls of wrapping paper in a big plastic handle bag, and for years I struggled with my big bag of wrapping paper. The old plastic bag finally developed holes, but I found a new way to store rolls of gift wrap. Instead of purchasing a plastic container especially for gift wrap, I began storing the rolls in large empty popcorn tins received as gifts. No, the tins don’t completely cover the paper, but they successfully keep it from unrolling, and I store it neatly in a closet until ready to use.
Bow and Accessory Storage
This is a another great way to use those empty popcorn tins once the popcorn is gone, and the metal containers will last for years when kept in a dry location. I use two empty popcorn tins to store gift bows, tags, tape, scissors, stickers, resin miniatures, and other gift wrapping accessories. Until storing my bows in empty popcorn tins I had many flat bows that didn’t regain their shape and weren’t worth using, but now the bows stay in great shape, and everything I need for wrapping gifts is well organized.
A Decorative Magazine Holder
If you receive popcorn tins that are embellished with beautiful scenes or designs you’d like to display, consider using your empty popcorn tins to hold magazines. A large popcorn tin will hold dozens of magazines, and it doesn’t matter if they’re slightly curved. Magazine holders don’t have to be rectangular or square in shape. I’ve been storing magazines in one of my favorite popcorn tins, and they don’t remain curled up after removal. My popcorn tin magazine holder keeps the magazines in good condition and ready to read in any room of the house.
An Extra Trash Can
Many people use empty popcorn tins as trash cans. They’re the perfect shape and size, and they do a fantastic job of holding trash in a bedroom, bathroom, or anywhere you can use an extra waste receptacle. Keep in mind that popcorn tins will rust, and they’re not watertight, so be sure to always line them with trash bags before using to dispose of liquid or perishable items.
Fire Starter Holder
I keep my favorite tin by my fireplace to hold pinecones and small pieces of kindling used to start fires. This tin is decorated with a picture of a lovely winter cottage with a smoking chimney. The tranquil winter scene looks appropriate in my living room next to my fireplace, and the tin provides a great storage container to keep fire-starting accessories covered and out of the way. Best of all, I can put the lid on to keep my cat out of it too. He’s been known to play with the pinecones I keep by my fireplace, and the tin has put an end to the destruction of many pinecones.
Pet Food Container
Dry pet food can end up stale just like dry food meant for humans, and it’s a good idea to keep it in a sealed container. If you have extra popcorn tins, consider lining them with plastic and using them to store dry pet food. My friend uses popcorn tins to store her cat’s dry food and treats, and it’s a great way to store food bags that could otherwise open and become stale. I plan on using the popcorn tins I’ve purchased to store my cat’s and dog’s food and treats once my popcorn tins are empty.
