The Surprisingly Stylish Way To Upgrade Empty Food Cans This Holiday Season

It feels good to reuse or recycle items over the holidays. So much waste can be associated with the festive season, and finding ways to reduce this can be good for both the environment and your state of mind. While saving old tin cans for cute toilet paper storage (great for when guests come to visit) or making decorations from household items are certainly great ways to reuse things during this time of year, it might be an unexpected pantry staple that becomes the most stylish decor for your home. Tuna cans specifically (or similar small cans) can be transformed into the sweetest hanging ornaments with just a few simple additions. Before you scrunch your nose at the thought of reusing these particularly aromatic tins, take a gander at how awesome they turn out and what great gifts or tree ornaments they make. Think of a tiny diorama filled with magical moments you create with craft animals, flora and fauna from your yard, and even any special items or trinkets you've saved.

The biggest hurdle when reusing leftover cans around the house is washing them thoroughly enough so no scents or oils linger. For this you have options, including using dish soap or even a little bleach to remove food particles. You could also use vinegar and water or just rinse the tin with hot water and dry thoroughly. Once your cans are clean, you can begin creating your dioramas.

If your can has any sharp edges from the can opener, make sure to flatten these with pliers or cover them with hot glue. Also remove any labels so you're only left with the shiny metal. Before filling the inside, you can paint the cans to match them to your theme or leave the metal as-is for a more rustic look. Start at the back of the can, adding in any foliage, sticks, rocks, or even decoupage or printed paper for your "backdrop." Use a glue gun or super glue to secure these pieces inside, keeping in mind that the bottom of the can will actually be the back when hung. Next, you will want to add your foreground. This could be small figurines of animals or characters from craft stores or just a few tiny items you really want to display in your diorama ornaments. You could even make them with cardboard and paint. Secure these with glue, too.

Your last steps are to add in any fake moss or grass to finish off the perception of a scene. For example, if you went with a forest motif, moss around the animals would give it a more realistic feel. You can also use fabric or small rocks instead, so long as the scene you created gives off a completed aesthetic. You can glue string, twine, or ribbon to the top or back of the can so you can hang it. Another option is to puncture two small holes in the top and thread the string through.