Hello dear friends! Today, I’m joining my Trash-to-Treasure girls and sharing how you can upcycle an old flatware box for Christmas!
I went to a craft show this past weekend and seeing all the festive holiday decor for sale made me want to have a little fun with Christmas too!
And, this gives me the opportunity to share all the fabulous holiday transfers I have in stock for all you makers out there!
Here is what I started with:
I picked this old flatware box up at the thrift store for half off of $3.75…a steal! For that price, who cares if I messed it up, right?
I started with a good cleaning with White Lightning and then a quick rinse.
Remove the innards
Then I needed to tackle the least fun part of these flatware box makeovers, removing the insides!
It looked like this to start:
The red actually would have been perfect for a Christmas makeover, but I removed it before I knew which direction I wanted to go…
Don’t worry about removing every last bit of glue, paper, etc on the interior since it will be covered anyway.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Paint
Next, it was time for paint! I chose Drop Cloth for the top and Barn Red for the bottom:
It took two coats for each.
Once that was dry, I reached for Gold Digger, one of the Moonshine Metallics and added a stripe all the way around the bottom.
It took three coats, and I removed the FrogTape (my favorite painting tape) as soon as I applied the third coat:
Embellishing the top
Then it was time for the fun part…the embellishing!
I started with these moulds I had made for another project a little while back but never used. They got a coat of Barn Red:
Barn Red is a perfect holiday red!
Once that was dry, I used a little bit of Gold Gilding Wax to highlight the details.
Then, I pulled out this Xmas Tag Transfer that I just love:
As the name implies, it is perfect for Christmas Tags but also the perfect size for many other small projects!
For today’s flatware box turned Christmas Box, I used a few together!
I laid them out how I liked first…
(The painted moulds weren’t glued in place yet.)
Then I used the included burnishing stick to burnish the images to the top:
Once they were all in place, I sealed the entire box with Best Dang Wax in clear using my Best Dang Brush:
Once that was good and dry, I attached the moulds with E6000 glue (They have a no stink version now!!) and let that dry for several hours.
Then I added a pretty pull to the front that I had left over from redoing my Mom’s Oak Dresser, and the cutest feet ever!
The result
Here is how this plain thrift store clearance flatware box got a little fancier for the holidays…
The stripes are bit bold, but I love it for Christmas!
I enjoy lots of color in our home at the holidays!
Isn’t that pull gorgeous??
And you can really see the sheen of the gold paint so much better in that photo above.
Let’s get a look at the top…
I wanted to add a little something with some dimension to the top and that’s where the moulds come in…
You can see how easy they are to make HERE.
I also found this pack of gold keys in my stash that I picked up at Michaels forever ago:
I thought it was a cute addition to the top with a little added ribbon…
I just hot glued the ribbon to the box to hold it in place.
And did you notice the cutest feet ever??
I hit those and the pull up with a little Gold Gilding wax as well to brighten them up a bit.
The Inside
The inside was lined with fabric I found at Walmart…
The choices were very limited, but this did the job.
See how I line boxes with fabric in my simple tutorial HERE.
This box would be perfect to hold holiday cards!!
I still send cards, do you? I always love getting them in the mail, especially since it is a dying tradition these days.
These boxes are so fun to redo! And by redoing this one for the holidays, I got to play with colors I don’t usually use throughout the year.
My elf was so excited to be out of storage…he thought it was Christmas already!
Here are a few more holiday transfers I carry that you might like:
Classic Christmas:
Holiday Spirit: 
A Gilded Moment:
Winterberry:
Holly Jolly Xmas:
Evergreen & Holly:
My favorite might still be the Xmas Tag Transfer though!
I don’t do a ton of holiday makeovers, but Christmas will be here before we know it! At least I’m ready to collect those cards!
My friends have four more fabulous Trash-to-Treasure projects for you to enjoy today:
That’s another makeover complete from this haul!
See anything you might have missed at these links:
Upcycled Picnic Basket with a No Sew Liner
Painted Empire Dresser
Neutral Rocker Makeover
Pink Painted Night Table
Mass-Produced Shelf Makeover
Repurposed Cabinet Door
Oak Drop-Leaf Table Makeover
Child’s Rocker Makeover
Vintage Banker’s Chair Makeover
Terra Clay Paint Case Makeover
Tea Kettle Makeover
Tray Update with Stencils
Painting the Smalls #18
How to Turn a Spindle Bed into a Bench
Dated Shelf Makeover
80’s Clock Repurposed
Stenciled Demilune Table
DIY Fabric Lamp Shades & $5 Thrift Store Lamps
Thrift Store Dresser Makeover
I’ll be back with this sweet chair on Thursday:
UPDATE: I’m still amazed at what a simple paint job can do! See what it did for this chair HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
Oh my it turned out so beautiful. I love the barn red, such a great color, and those feet and pull are all amazing!! I have a silverware box in my stash, its time to do something with it, this would be perfect. I am here in Michigan waiting for the email that I have won!! LOL, I already have a cart full of items that I want on your Etsy shop!! How fun that Jack surprised you, he is a sly one!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Mary!! Barn red is great, especially for the holidays! I am getting ready to choose the winners…fingers crossed for ya!! And yes, I am always so thrilled to have Jack home!! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a fun, whimsical makeover, Christy. The details make it over the top ❤️
Christy says
Thank you so much, my sweet friend! XOXO
Janice Holt says
How pretty and festive this box turned out. Love the colors and transfers. If this don’t speak Christmas, I don’t know what does. Great job as always.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Janice! It was fun to play with! XOXO
Geri says
Love the flatware box made into a Christmas box, nice job!
I do still send out Christmas cards, I find them more personal than just posting a message on the internet. But you are correct it’s definitely a dying tradition. Thank you for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! I too still love sending them and really appreciate those that take the time to send them also! XOXO
Julie A. Henry says
I LOVE THIS!! I’M LEAVING FOR FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER SOON AND I SHOP THE GOODWILLS AND THRIFT STORES ALOT WHILE THERE. I SEE THESE BOXES ALL THE TIME, SO NOW I HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR ONE! I’M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WASY TO DISPLAY MY CHRISTMAS CARDS AND THIS IS GREAT AS I DO SAVE THEM SO IT’S PERFECT FOR STORING THEM ALSO. THANK YOU FOR A BEAUTIFUL IDEA…..HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Christy says
Aww yay! I’m so glad you like it, Julie! I hope you find a good one! Enjoy your day too! XOXO
Cathy Volker says
Wow how beautiful that box looked.
I wanted to find out from you. I am in South Africa, if I order any of your beautiful transfers. would it be via an Etsy shop, and do you then post to South Africa or is it a download.
I cannot find such beautiful transfers here in South Africa.
So enjoy your weekly emails I get so encouraged
Thank you for sharing your work with us
Cathy Volker
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cathy!! You can see if there is possibly a retailer there here: https://dixiebellepaint.com/find-a-dixie-belle-paint-retailer/, and if not, I believe you can order from the Dixie Belle website. They would be shipped to you. I hope you can get them! XOXO
Christy says
Forgive my foggy brain today, Cathy! I was thinking Dixie Belle, but these are actually from Redesign with Prima. That just occurred to me, and so I looked it up, and there is a retailer that you can purchase from online in South Africa! I’m not sure if she has this exact transfer, but you can see what she has here: https://www.grannyb.co.za/ 😊
Cecilia from Georgia says
Very festive!
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! This makes me want to bring all the Christmas boxes down lol! I have to give my hubby time to forget all the work it was to bring down and put away Halloween first ha ha! XOXO
Cat says
I discarded an empty box exactly like that one. I had just moved and simply could not make room to save another thing. I loved how yours turned out. I wish I had kept mine now as I see inspiration for something I could have done with it.
Christy says
Oh darn! Isn’t that always what happens? I see them in thrift stores all the time, so maybe you’ll come across another! XOXO
Mary Smart says
Christy you are so lucky to be able to find these old silverware boxes at your Goodwill and Thrift stores. I never see these for sale at any of our thrift stores. I have my Grandmothers with the Silver service in it but I don’t want to use that one. Another great piece!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I see them quite often…maybe now that you are wanting one, you’ll get lucky! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Hi Christy! It turned out so pretty. I love the Gold with the red.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! It was a fun one to work on! XOXO
Meg Habasevich says
OMGOSH Christy this is amazing. Your creativity is beyond great it is spectacular !!! I would have never thought to have red and gold stripes. I’m so used to white or black everything! I need to get a broader palette of paints! 😘
Christy says
Aww thank you, Meg!! That means so much! I loved having the opportunity to play with color for a change! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Perfect!! I love it and now I want to go make Christmas pretties too!!😁xoxo
Christy says
Aww thanks, my beautiful friend! I seriously want to pull down all my Christmas boxes now ha ha! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
This Christmas Box is magical my friend! And is this weird? I REALLY look forward to what you do on the inside of your projects. 😂 So festive and cute. And I have that hardware in my inventory as well… it is beautiful!!! XOXO
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my dear friend! Ha ha I love that! I was limited on choices of holiday fabrics, but I think this one did the job lol! Have an amazing week! XOXO
Debra Hubbs says
Love this!
Christy says
Thank you, Debra!! XOXO
shan says
Absolutely love that fabric on the inside. So festive!
Christy says
Thank you, Shan! XOXO
Cyndi says
That is so, so cute! I love all your details!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cyndi! XOXO
Michele M. says
What a SWEET Christmas card box you have created! Who wouldn’t want that to give as a gift or a present to oneself? It truly is difficult to even see what it used to be. Well done, Christy!!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! It really came a long way from where it started lol! XOXO
Cheryl says
Love it!! I like your choice of fabric better than what came with the box. I have three of these silverware boxes and I should do something with them. You have given us so many ideas for them!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! There are so many possibilities with these boxes!! XOXO
Charlene says
Christy, this is the cutest Christmas card box ever! But I say that about all your projects! And I mean it! I love the red molded embellishments on the lid. They make it look like hinges on the box. I have a box similar to that, so you gave me an idea what to do with it. Thank you.
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Charlene! Thank you so much! Yay…I was going for the look of hinges! Have fun with yours!! XOXO
Constance Colvin says
That’s a real blast of Christmas! ❤
Christy says
Right?? Ha ha! XOXO
Niki says
I like the bold colors on this one Christy! Very festive. It’s a cold, snowy, and blustery day here in NE Montana so any good cheer is welcome.
Christy says
Thank you, Niki! Oh no…too soon for snow!! Stay warm, my friend! XOXO
Dorothea Hiebert says
I know a lot of people like this look (Christmas box) …. but for me …. it’s just too gaudy looking …. too many embellishments. Sorry about that. I much prefer a simpler, less busy look. However, I always look forward to see what you’ve created and gives me inspiration to work on my own projects. Thank you!
Christy says
That’s okay, Dorothea…I appreciate your honesty and thank you! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
It’s so very cute! Great job.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Caye! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh nice! I’d be hard pressed to choose one of the transfers but the tags are pretty cool. I like how the box turned out!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! XOXO
Karen C says
Christy,
That little box is amazing! Love the red and gold stripes!! So festive! I love filling my house with Christmas pretties and this is such an inspiration. The red molded pieces look like hinges, you are so clever. I still send Christmas cards too, especially photo ones since some family members live too far away to see often. I always look forward to your emails. You rock!!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Karen! This has really gotten me in the mood for Christmas! Yay…hinges are what I was going for! And I really appreciate those who still take the time to send holiday greetings in the mail! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
How festive! I love the way the appliques look like hinges on the top.
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
Super cute and festive, Christy!! xo
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! XOXO
Karen H says
Oh, my word, Christy! That is just gorgeous! I am even a neutral girl, but I sure love that makeover! Great job! xo
Christy says
Thank you, Karen! You know I’m usually a neural girl too, but I do love some color at the holidays! Have a lovely weekend! XOXO