I have three boys: ages 5, 3, and 10 months. There’s a chance I might be biased, but I happen to think they’re the most charming, adorable, and intelligent kids on the planet. They’re also kind of loud. And busy. And they destroy things. Lots of things. They have a need to eat, run, and make sound come out of their mouths pretty much 24 hours a day. If it wasn’t for the fact that I cope with stress by eating, I would have the body of super model from all of the running around I do. I love my kids like crazy. They make me laugh constantly and I love being a stay at home Mom. But as all Mothers know- it’s not easy! There are days when the only thing that gets me through is Diet Coke, stashes of chocolate, and the knowledge that I have shows on my DVR waiting for me after those little angels fall asleep.
So on that note- I’m always trying to think of fun ways to supply Mother’s with much needed goodies on Mother’s Day because every Mom needs a secret stash right?? I’d made these tin can treats before at a church craft night and completely forgotten about them until my sister was talking about them recently. They’re so fun- I’m going to show you how to customize a tin can and fill it with goodies or trinkets of your choice for the recipient to crack open. (**And since so many of you expressed interest in making these for Teacher Appreciation Week, I’ve made up some tags for that as well, see links at the end of this post!**)
Supplies Needed:
canned fruit with tab tops, suggested size 7-8oz
candies for filling
tissue paper
hot glue gun
decorative paper
ribbon
side can opener or safety can opener (optional)
You can make these with any size can you can find with a tab top. Technically you don’t even need the tab top, but if you’re using my printables you do. Plus a tab is just way more fun! I like the little mini cans, the 7-8 oz size, which is about half the size of a standard tin can if you’re trying to visualize. Look for generic brand fruit in cans this size; they’re super cheap! Make sure to use cans from something like fruit or fruit juice. You don’t want the insides of your cute treat cans to smell like beans or chili!
Step one: Remove labels from cans. Use a can opener to remove the bottom end of the can. It’s the side without the tab top folks! A side can opener works great here because you won’t have the sharp edges and the pieces will be a breeze to glue back together. If you plan ahead, you can eat the fruit along the way in your normal meals. If you plan at the last minute like me, you can dump it all in your blender, blend it up, freeze it in ice cube trays, and use for smoothies. Or it’s great poured right into Popsicle molds.
Tip: If you’re using a traditional can opener, make sure when you are removing your lid, you don’t remove it completely. You want to leave it attached at one point like seen in the picture above. Wash the cans well with soap and rinse clean. Make sure to dry completely.
If you use this type of can opener, your life will be much easier:
See how nicely it takes the lid off?
And it fits back on seamlessly, with just a small amount of glue
Step 2: Time for the fun part! Fill those cans up with any form of deliciousness you choose.
My coping mechanism of choice:
Leave about 1/2 inch of head-space at the top of the can. Another reason I use small cans is because you need quite a bit of candy to fill these if you’re using something small like M&M’s. But you could use little wrapped chocolates or candy bars or whatever.
Step 3: Fill the empty space with a little tissue paper. This is important and you’ll see why in the next step.
Step 4: Use hot glue to reattach the bottom of the can. If you use the safety can opener, this part is simple, and it takes very little glue. If you use a traditional can opener, like I did in these photos, it isn’t hard, but it’s a little tricky. I find it easiest to bend the lid back down flat and then fill in the open space with glue. This is why the tissue paper is there- to catch the glue that goes through so it doesn’t end up stuck to the treats.
Now. I consider myself to be relatively handy with a glue gun, and fairly crafty, and I have never managed to glue the lid on without it looking like a complete mess. The good news is that it doesn’t matter even if it’s ugly like mine because once you see how cute the finished product is, you’ll understand why no one will be looking at the bottom! So just leave the can sitting like this until the glue is dry.
Step 5: Cut a piece of decorative paper the same height as the can. Wrap it around and attach with tape, double-sided tape, or a glue stick.
Step 6: Tie a few matching ribbons on the tab.
At this point you’re ready to go! These cute cans are ready for giving, and people will be SO surprised when they open up the fresh can and find goodies inside!
But.
In honor of Mother’s Day I thought it would be more fun to put this on the front:
I’ve made a version of this tag for teachers as well-
get the download at the end of this post!
How fun are these??
You can print the labels out on colored paper to match your theme
And if you don’t feel like being silly, I also made a generic “Pull my tab” label suitable for any lovely lady in your life!
Now go get creative! You can really put anything in a can- how about this one with a small un-scented candle (so it doesn’t scent your candies!), a Reeces PB Cup and a set of ear plugs? My kind of survival gear.
I have some really fun variations for all kinds of holidays and events- but we’ll focus on one day at a time!
Tin Can Treats
Tutorial by Our Best Bites
Supplies:
canned fruit with tab tops, suggested size 7-8oz
candies for filling
tissue paper
hot glue gun
decorative paper
ribbon
1. Use a can opener to remove bottom (non-tab top side) of can, but leave it attached at one point.
2. Wash cans thoroughly and dry completely.
3. Fill with candies/treats/trinkets, leaving about 1/2 inch space at top.
4. Fill remaining space with tissue paper.
5. Use glue gun to secure lid back to can and let dry completely.
6. Measure a strip of decorative paper the same height as can. Wrap around the can and secure with tape or glue.
7. Tie decorative ribbons through the tab on top of can.
8. Attach tag if desired.
Download free printable tags here:
Mother’s Day Tin Can Labels: Silly
Mother’s Day Tin Can Labels: Generic
Teacher Appreciation Tags
Also we have
Christmas Edition
Father’s Day Edition
Valentine’s Day Edition (coming soon)
Questions & Reviews
I just LOVE this idea!!! I passed it on on my FB page 🙂
Love it!!!
This is such a great and do-able idea! I am going to share a picture and the link on my Sunday 5/1 “Links to Love” wrap up at http://www.momof6.com
Warmly,
Sharon
Could you make a cute little label for teacher appreciation? I would love to give this to my kids teachers next week.
I’m gonna whip up some teacher tags over the weekend- check back!
THANK YOU Sara!! There are actually some cute ones over on Eighteen25.blogspot.com. But, it would be good to have a “pull tab” one too!
These are ABSOLUTELY amazing! Thanks for sharing the idea!!!
adorably cute!! You all are my absolute favorite website…your stuff is so doable (if that is a word) and practical for a mom of 3 young ones!!!! And every recipe I’ve tried have been HUGE hits in my house!!!!!
I LOVE these! I just may have to send my followers over to your site to see these. I will definitely be making some. Thanks!
I was thinking teacher appreciation too. These would be perfect. Anyway you have a cute saying for teacher appreciation in your creative head? 🙂 Come on I know you do, just spill it!
What a cute idea! I love it. Thanks for sharing.
I’m doing Teacher Appreciation week and this would be perfect! Now what to do with the fruit from 60 cans… hmm… 😉
OMG! those are so much fun! I think I’ll be making a few for mother’s day!! 🙂
That is just to dang cute!
This is my kind of craft! People always show me things and say, ‘No really, it’s not that hard’ And guess what. It really is hard, for me! This is absolutely adorable. Can’t wait to make them!
This is absolutely a fantabulous idea!!!! *thumbs up*
I can see making these for my sons’ teachers as they are all mothers! (next week is teacher appreciation week)
thanks for such a wonderful idea!
I think I’ll skip the crafty paper/ribbon part and keep the jars of “fruit” in the cupboard. This incognito way to treat-stash probably only works if you’re the main cook in the house. And it’ll make me giggly knowing chocolate is in those innocent lil’ jars.
Good luck with those boys! Enjoy the craziness!
Hahaha LOVE it!
That is an awesome idea! I’m going to do it! Thanks!
Great idea! My kids always manage to find my secret chocolate stash no matter what I do- this might just solve the problem!
What a great idea! My nephews would love this.
This is TOO cute! I am hosting Mother’s Day dinner this year and needed a fun treat to send home with the Mommies! Thank you!
i’ll make one for my self :o) , hide it, and find it one day when I’ll really in need for it :o)
thanks for great idea
I made these for the birthday gifts from primary one year. The can opener that doesn’t make sharp edges and actually cuts from the outside works best. It makes a seamless edge when glued back on.
Ohhh good tip Kristi! I need to go get one of those, lol
Where did you find a label for birthdays? I’ve searched and searched and haven’t found any.
Those are so cute! I totally sympathize with you, I have twin 2 1/2 year old boys!
love, love, love this! especially with the smaller cans…so cute! and i think these would make super fab (& inexpensive) teacher gifts…gonna have to give it a whirl. thanks for always sharing such awesome ideas & recipes! hugs!
I am doing teacher appreciation gifts this week and I think I am going to do this for one of them!!!
I’m seeing a lot of canned fruit in my kids future so I can make these ADORABLE treats. SO CUTE!! Thanks
I love this idea. I need an activity for YW, and our girls would love this. Thanks for sharing!
I know exams are right around the corner. Wouldn’t this make a great gift for your college or high school student?
What a great idea for anyone special. The variations in my mind are endless.
I know right?!
As a mom of 4 boys I totally relate!
What a cute idea!
Each stage of motherhood has its stresses. My friends and I are mothers of high school senior boys. You would think by this stage of our mothering “careers” we wouldn’t need something like this but this is exactly what I think my buddies need to provide a little comic relief to the stresses of college decisions, dating issues, cars and teenage boy things,etc.
What a wonderful idea! This is perfect for someone like me who has to mail Mother’s Day presents.
Did you know that you can put an address label on the can and just mail it as is. I have used an empty 2 liter pop bottle and a HUGE Easter egg with an address label on it and mailed it. Fun to find cute things in the mailbox.
Love this! It looks like I will be making peach smoothies this week, lol! Wonderful idea.
I absolutely love this idea. I have the good fortune of getting together with some of my favorite moms this year on Mother’s Day. It will be great to surprise them all with a fun treat. Thank you!