Candy Tin Tool Kit
A handy, homemade holiday gift
My favorite way to utilize an empty candy tin is to turn it into a pocket sized tool kit. Useful and easy to personalize, these ‘in-a-pinch’ small boxes can be kept in suitcases, tote bags, junk drawers or glove compartments. As gifts they are crowd pleasers, can be customized for the individual and easy to make even if you’re not the crafty type. They are also completely thrifty if you’re on a budget and looking for a thoughtful gift that won’t set you back. And if you make one, you might as well batch a bunch, as these can be co-worker gifts, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, white elephant or just about anyone else on your list. The average 3.6” by 2.25” tin can be easily filled with much of what you already have at home, such as paperclips, safety pins, pencils, tape, and scrap paper. The candy tins and matchbooks can be purchased at most local grocery stores. If the packaging of these are less than ideal, simply cover the branding with stickers and or decorative tape and make it your own. Shipping labels as stickers (see below*) make for a great cover as you can paint, draw and easily cut them to size. You might also like to use them write a secret message on the inside bottom of your tin, one that will only be seen when the contents are emptied.
I’ve made plenty of versions of these craft kits, but the one I feature here might be my favorite. I did not overfill, so there’s plenty of space to add a personal touch (love notes, drawings, supplies) or leave room so the recipient can add their own bits.
Let me break down my top choice of crafting contents.
A mini pencil / tape dispenser. I snapped a regular sized colored pencil into three sections. The jagged broken ends I sharpened, so the middle piece has two points (and in less need of a sharpener). The tape is from my personal collection of assorted Washi tape and I layered quite a bit around the center to be torn off and used as needed. A nice touch would be to coordinate the pencil or tape color to the recipients preferred palette.
Needle and thread. Or threads, or embroidery floss, or string. I again used string I already had on hand and bundled it tightly on a piece of paper card stock (notching the tail end into a cut slit to prevent unraveling). If desired, you could do a gradation of colored thread or string and make the offering longer and more varied. The needle here has a slightly blunt end that can still be used for sewing but can also pierce holes and weave if needed. Simply tuck it into the wound fiber so it’s easy to locate.
An assortment of embroidery floss for bracelet making . Junk drawer of tiny notions. The junk drawer i’ve used here is a common matchbox. I covered with *diy stickers because the branding was meh, but you obviously don’t have to conceal if packaging is pleasing or meaningful. The matchbox can hold a surprisingly generous amount of multi-use supplies. The one here contains 3 paperclips, 3 rubber bands, 3 safety pins, metal fasteners, buttons and there’s plenty room for more. I like to keep things neat and wrap the rubber bands and clips over a piece of card stock, however it’s not at all necessary.
A note pad of handmade stickers*. These are my secret crafting weapon, one I have many uses for and am always in supply of. They are made from leftover shipping sticker labels in which I sloppily added some watercolor brushstrokes to. I then cut them up into small rectangles, fold the top edge of the coated backside down, so the sticky tops could adhere, and create a sticky-like notepad. To use, just peel off a sticker, remove the protective backing and stick anywhere. Use them as you would tape, or for decoration, you can write/draw on them for labeling, or cut them into fun shapes to craft with. Give to a kid and poof….multiple minutes of entertainment. Stick the pad to the inside of the tin cover by removing the bottom coating and adhere.
Mini scissors. The ones here are pretty lux in their gold sheen and delicate design, but there are many alternatives online or in your local craft store. Take note of the measurements if you're purchasing online to ensure they can easily fit inside the tin.
Paper This matchbook notepad is made using leftover papers and a lift from ‘Making Things’ the craft book that Erin Boyle and I wrote in 2024. If crafting mini notepad is too much of a lift, find a tiny one at your local stationary shop, again…make sure it fits inside the tin. Or, just cut up some paper and place it underneath the rest of the tin’s contents.
DIY scrap matchbook notepads. 
This chocolate tin from Spain was already delightful but I added a touch of my own labeling for whimsy.
These kits are also perfect gifts for kids, or for parents to have on hand while traveling or dining out. Just remember, if you are flying, the scissors will be confiscated in your carry-on luggage so be sure to leave it behind.
As mentioned before, i’ve been making a version of these tin kits for a while (the one below I called “an after school emergency kit”) and filled it with additional child soothers like a balloon lollipop, and bandaids.
This text from my friend proves their ‘in a pinch’ effectiveness.
You’re welcome, my friend.
Cute!!
Thank you my dear