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
Just wanted to say thank you for a great idea! I used Mod Podge to put the bottom back on and you can’t even tell it was ever off! Great idea. Thank you!
I want to make these for cub scouts. I think thier mothers will love these
I love this idea. I think they will be so cute for my friend’s baby shower. I was thinking we could play off the “she’s about to POP!” with the pull tabs… I wish i was as crafty as you to make the tags??!! I need a graphic designer friend… Could you tell me the dimensions of the tags that fit a 7-8oz container? I will send you a finished picture in her color palette (black,white, turquoise and grey!). LOVE your crafty ideas. I’m always impressed and inspired by you.
Keri, I’m not sure- I made my tags a while ago, you’ll just have to measure!
If the can is big enough, maybe put their handprints on the paper you wrap the can with.
I haven’t read all of the comments, but my first thought was…what a great idea for baby shower favors! You could either make them look like baby food jars, or wrap them in cute baby’ish paper. The wording on the label would even be appropriate! Thanks for the great idea!
What a FABULOUS & CRAFTY idea!!!!!! This would br great for so many things even birthday party’s, or school projects for kids to give to their parents !! And I love the idea of freezing the fruit for smoothies, since I love smoothies !! I am Definately hooked on this site now!!
Now that was FLY! Love this and can wait to present these to the teachers, sitters, etc!
this is such a fantastic idea! i’m going to try it with candy and gift cards! it’s always so hard to disguise gift cards — no one will guess whats inside!
Love Love Love this idea. So cute and an inexpensive packaging idea. Very creative. Just love it. Have shared your idea on our business facebook page – Mums Little Party Secret. I am sure our followers will love it as much as I do. Jo x
Just when I was looking for a way to package homemade candy for Christmas, too.
These are awesome! Just wondering if you had any suggestions for teacher gift labels? I was thinking of doing this for a Christmas gift this year….maybe some candy and a gift card inside? But I’m terrible with wording for this kind of stuff and you seem oh so clever!
Would it be possible to make printables for the holidays?
What kind of Can Opener is the Black one and where can you find one like that?
It’s oxo brand, from Target!
I would like to make these for other holidays too. Could you make up a “Blank” template for the labels that we could put our own text or pictures into?
Thanks.
Wow, absolutely a great idea. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Any chance you have printables for this in a “Happy Birthday” version?? such a cute idea!!
LOVE these! I just made the teacher version for end of school and can’t wait to give it to my son’s teachers. 🙂 I used a bigger size can and put in a gift card in each along with a handful of M&Ms. I want to make more…. one for everyone! 🙂 Posted pic on fb and had to share with this link with friends. Awesome idea and thanks for posting! 🙂
This is such a cool idea!!
Thanks! These are just adorable. They would make great little get well gifts or gifts for Pastor appreciation.
What a great idea!!!
I can’t wait to make these!!
I think these are sooo cute, thanks for the idea! I’ve featured you on my blog [email protected].
I love making pull-tab surprise cans, it’s how I gave my niece and nephews gift cards but they were a little hesitant on how to open them 🙂
I tried this for a gift for my boss and they turned out so great! She was so excited and grateful for the “bits of happiness” (M&M’s) she now has at her desk. Thanks so much for the idea.
These are absolutely ADORABLE! I will be making a few of these tomorrow for the end of school year! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
DARLING for end of school teacher’s gifts too! I included them in my teachers gift guide! THANK YOU! http://becomeshoppertunistic.blogspot.com/2011/05/teacher-gift-giving-guide-art-of-frugal.html
Hi I just wanted to share with you I took your fabulous idea and did a little graduation can. I used the bigger cans …it said.. Natalie’s emergency college food storage..in an emergency such as forgot to cook, or forgot how to cook PULL TAB! Happy Graduation!!! inside I put a pizza gift card. Thank you for your inspiration!!!
We are making these for my son’s teachers for end of the year gifts with gift cards inside.
Amazing thank you!! Any chance you will have Birthday ones as a printable?
I made these for my kids for April Fools Day in their packed lunches and they loved them! I kept the original label on so it looked the same and they thought they were getting fruit. Then when they opened it, it was full of candy! It was a big hit!
These are too cute!!! My moms birthday is Friday, I just stopped at the beauty supply (perks of being a hairstylist) to pick up mani and pedi gifts for my cans!!! I can’t Wait to make these for her! She will be super excited!