Tin can advent calendar

Upcycling idea for empty tins

A homemade Advent calendar has got to be one of the best surprise gifts of all in the run-up to Christmas. And it’s not just kids’ faces that light up, because even as grown-ups we look forward to receiving an Advent calendar every year! Here we show you how to make your own Advent calendar using upcycled tin cans. You’ll need a total of 24 empty cans – but don’t worry about having to eat tinned peas and carrots for weeks on end because, luckily, you can buy empty ones without labels in the shops. Each tin is then covered with a new label made from dark-coloured paper before being decorated in stunning metallic colours with the help of edding gloss paint markers. Next to the numbers, you can add stars, small Christmas trees and other festive motifs to enhance the overall look. We used a superfine gloss paint marker in our example, but you could use a paint marker with a broader tip if you prefer. There are three bullet nibs and two calligraphy nibs, plus a wide range of colours to choose from... so the only limit is your imagination!

Category: Christmas
Products: Paint markers
Materials: Paper, carton and cardboard
Difficulty: Easy peasy
Downloads: Images (ZIP)

Step-by-step

Step 1

Get together all the materials that you need. For the numbers, we used the edding 780 gloss paint marker in the shades light blue metallic (colour code 070), green metallic (074), violet metallic (078) and blue (003). First, peel away the labels from the cans (it’s not a problem if the labels don’t come off completely, as the new ones will go on top).

Step 2

To get the right dimensions for the label, measure the height and circumference of the tin as accurately as you can.

Step 3

Transfer the measurements onto the black paper in pencil. Use a ruler to ensure exact, straight lines.

Step 4

Cut out the paper covers neatly along the pre-drawn lines. You’ll need 24 in all, one for each tin.

Step 5

Before you can decorate the tin cans for your Advent calendar with bright numbers, you need to activate a new gloss paint marker as follows: shake the marker vigorously with the cap on, then remove the cap, place the nib on a piece of absorbent paper and pump the marker up and down gently a few times until ink appears in the nib. Now you’re ready to get started. (And after use, always replace the cap securely and store the marker horizontally.)

Step 6

Now draw the numbers 1-24 on the labels. We wanted all our numbers to look different – some with thick lines, others dotted, striped or ornate. Let your imagination run wild and decorate yours any way you like. You can also add other embellishments, such as Christmas trees, candles or snowflakes. The fine nib of the edding 780 allows you to draw illustrations and wording with lots of detail.

Step 7

Once your design is finished, glue the labels onto the tins. Now it’s time to fill them with small treats and gifts. To prevent the recipient peeking into the contents of the tins, seal them with a suitable cardboard lid.
This is a gift you’ll definitely enjoy giving!