These are a great alterative to a gift basket or party favor.

The paint cans are really great. We made some for my daughter's wedding shower one time and

filled them with flowers as the gifts we gave away.

They were a big hit! Something unique and different and no one had ever seen them before.

Supplies:

Gallon Size Metal Paint Can (purchased them new(unused) at any paint store or Best Containers

Cardstock

Double Sided Tape

Transparent Tape

Clear Contact Paper or Laminate

Cotton Fabric

Curling Ribbon

Feather Boa (optional)

Glue Gun

Scissors

Gift Can Printables

Instructions:

1. Save the printable to your computer and open up in a paint program and print off on cardstock

(depending on your paint program, printer and the can,

you may need to adjust the size to fit the can).

I suggest printing off a sample onto regular paper in gray scale to test in order

to get the right size. You will be printing off 3 graphics total on

3 pieces of cardstock (front, back & lid). 

2. Cut out graphics, making sure to cut out the half round notches

on the front and back as this will be where the handle is on your can.

Now apply either clear contact paper or laminate the fronts only of all 3 pieces.

3. Take double sided tape and apply it to the back side of the printed pieces.

I usually do a long strip at the top and bottom and along the sides. 

4. Position your printed pieces on the can.

The front and back pieces will meet on each side by the handle so that the entire can is covered.

5. Take clear tape and cut off 2 pieces long enough to go along the 2 seams on the sides of the cans.

This helps to keep them from pulling up away from the can. 

4. Now comes the fun part where you can decorate it.

In the sample above, take a long piece of cotton fabric (about 20 inches long by 4 inches wide)

and sew it together wrong side out to create a long tube.

Then turn the fabric right side out and take your handle off of the can and

scrunch the fabric on to it and put the handle back on the can.

Then take a feather boa and cut it to fit around the bottom of the can

and used a hot glue gun to glue it along the bottom edges.

Of course if you were making a design for a boy, I would suggest leaving off the boa!

Then take your curling ribbon and cut several pieces and tie them to the sides of the handle

and use your scissors to curl them.

And you now have a great gift can!

Other Methods & Tips:

You can also use large full sheet labels to print the design off on and then cover with clear contact or laminate.

Then peal off the backing of the label and very carefully apply it to the can.

This method is trickier as you have to be careful not to apply it wrong

but it does have a great look and sticks to the can well.

Another way to do the handles is to cover it with pony beads or wrap with ribbon. 

Get creative, the possibilities are endless!