Originally published November 16, 2012. Updated December 2020.
This repurposed Santa treat box is a great way to give homemade baked gifts to friends and neighbors. It’s also an easy craft to make with children. You can create this simple craft for free with an upcycled container and paper scraps you may already have.
I love crafting for the holidays. Wait, who am I fooling? I love to craft anytime of the year. But it extra fun to craft during the excitement of the Christmas season. It makes me even happier when I’m able to craft with a repurposed container or jar. And then I’m even happier when the projects turns out as adorable as this repurposed Santa treat box did. This would be a great craft to make with your child. It’s a fun and easy kids craft.
You can use the Santa treat box as a decoration or to give homemade baked treats to friends and neighbors.
At some point this year I noticed that French’s Fried Onions changed their packaging. I’ve held onto this container for several months thinking about what I wanted to do with it. Then it called out to me one day, “I’m perfect for a Santa craft.” Good thing I was listening.
Repurposed Santa Treat Box
Santa Craft Supplies
- Red Plastic Container – The fried onion container is perfect.
- Red and White Card Stock Paper – A great project for using up paper scraps.
- Greeting Rubber Stamp and Ink – You could write a message by hand, if you prefer.
- Paper Cutter or Scissors
- Decorative Scalloped Scissors
- Decoupage Glue
- Rubber Bands
I briefly tried to remove the label, but it was going to be more difficult than I had the patience for today. Next time I’m going to work longer on removing the label, but for today, I simply covered the labels with red paper and Mod Podge decoupage glue. Because the container is curved use rubber bands to hold the paper in place while the Mod Podge dries.
While the red paper was drying, I cut a strip of white paper with decorative scissors for the trim on the coat. I also cut strip of black paper for the belt and a piece of silver paper for the belt buckle.
Because the sides of the container are curved I used rubber bands on the belt and belt buckle to hold the paper while it dries.
The top of the lid has the logo that I wanted to cover. I simply cut a piece of white paper and rounded the corners so it would fit the lid. I stamped the paper with a greeting and left space to write a personal note.
The entire process took less than an hour and cost nothing since I used a plastic container that would have gone into the recycling bin and scraps of paper that I already had. Now I only have to wait until after the green bean casserole at Thanksgiving so I can make another repurposed Santa treat box.
More Easy Santa Crafts
More Free Fun Christmas Activities
- Christmas Scavenger Hunt
- Christmas Hallmark Movie Scavenger Hunt
- Free Christmas Printables
- Printable Christmas Coloring Pages
Be sure to pin this repurposed Santa treat box so you can find this adorable craft every Christmas season.
Check out the snowman treat box I made from another repurposed box.
I’ve collected all my favorite Christmas crafts, printables and recipes in one spot – Simple Christmas Ideas.
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran and military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them.
cathy crosson says
I love to re-purpose things. This is a great idea! Good job:) I saw you over on Sew Many Ways.
Kat says
This is adorable! I’m adding french fried onions to my weekend shopping list, just so I can get a container like this :-).
SuperMomNoCape says
Visiting from Find a Friend Friday. This is so cute!
4 You With Love says
This is so cute. I love it when you can take a potential “trash” item and save it from the landfill by giving it a second use! GREAT job!
WTFab says
What a great idea, this is so cute! Would love it if you linked up on my blog hop http://www.w-t-fab.com/search/label/bloghop. Also let me know if you’d like to follow each other!
Calista @ A House and Yard says
Love this idea! Thanks for sharing. I am visiting from Shine On Friday’s link party.
Anonymous says
This is sooooooooooooo cute. Just voted for you over on Totally Green Crafts. Good Luck.
Mackenzie says
These look amazing! You are a Featured Favorite this week at Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! Thank so much for sharing this and others last week; we love having you! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us this week!
Have a great weekend!
Mackenzie 🙂
A Primitive Place ~ Tammy says
So cute!!
Thanks for sharing.
Tam
Kathy Shea Mormino says
I’d like to invite you to join me at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week! http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/11/clever-chicks-blog-hop-8-turkey.html
I hope to see you there!
Cheers!
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
That is too cute! I love that the little container already kinda looks like a santa, great choice! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Julie redheadcandecorate.com says
Well looky here! I love this idea. Very clever from that onion box. Thank you so much for stopping over at our party and linking up 🙂 ~ Julie
Morena Hockley says
This is a really cute idea!
Larissa @ The House on Harrison says
What an awesome idea! I’m going to have to use this for teachers’ treats this year. Thanks for sharing.
4 You With Love says
This project is so great! I’m thinking I could do this on my old vitamin box! Thanks for sharing on the homemade holiday party.
Marilyn
4you-withlove.blogspot.com
April S. says
What a great idea! I am always looking for ideas to repurpose containers like this and I give a lot of food gifts that sometimes get crushed in the little baggies so this is perfect! Found you from the Homemade Holiday link party at 4 You With Love. I’m a new follower!
Rose :: Fine Craft Guild .com says
Oh, that’s just brilliant! I adore it. Great recycle, upcycle really! Thank you for sharing it on our blog at the linky party. Oh, I cant’t wait to find out what you’ll link up tomorrow!
Shelly says
This is soooo cute! I’ve been saving mine up to make these. I’m curious to know what you filled yours with for gifts. I’m thinking of Hershey Kisses or something like that.
Also, did you find a solution for removing the label??
susan says
Shelly, I couldn’t figure out how to remove the label because it appears to be painted on the surface. I simply covered the label with a piece of red paper. I filled mine with holiday candy. If you air it out long enough to remove the onion smell, you could fill the container with homemade candy. Have fun and I’d love to see a photo of the Santa boxes you make.
Shelly says
Thank you! Actually, I just pulled out my containers and they are white! I had forgotten!! Lol
I saw your snowman idea and these will be perfect for that and so cute!! I’m thinking of homemade cookies now. 🙂