Christmas crafts

ReinCarnations of Creamer Bottles

By editor ⋅ August 2, 2007 ⋅ Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Ok, I admit it.  I have a weakness for Nescafe Columbian instant coffee, with 1 heaping teaspoon of Carnation CoffeeMate Creamer Light and a good-sized dollop of skim milk.  It’s my morning wake-up beverage and very often my afternoon pick-me-up when energy levels flag but duty relentlessly calls. 

 This daily habit leaves behind umpteen empty coffee creamer bottles, which are simply too good to toss in the recycle bin.  These white plastic containers are sturdy, designed to keep the contents inside dry and free-flowing, and once you remove the brand label (easily done), they are a natural for reusing or recycling in craft projects.

I made this Coffee Creamer Snowman last year from one empty CoffeeMate bottle.  It’s designed so you can still open the lid hidden under the top hat.  That means you can use it simply as a Christmas snowman ornament or fill it with a homemade hot chocolate mix or spiced tea mix for Christmas gift giving. 

I then found directions to make this Coffee Creamer Santa, which also looks very appealing. So that’s at least two coffee creamer bottles that didn’t make it to the landfill.  Check out the following list for more crafty recycling ideas - just remember to label your new storage containers to keep things organized and easy to find later.

Other Uses for Coffee Creamer Containers:

Canisters:

• store dry food staples that you buy in bulk and pour out just the right amount using the flip-top spout.  Perfect for flour, cornflour, salt, sugar, coffee, baking soda, baking powder, instant drink granules, dried potato flakes, powdered gravy or soup bases, rice, etc.
• store larger food items and dispense by unscrewing the lid - this works well for macaroni, small pasta shapes, dried beans, lentils, split peas, barley, oatmeal, cereal, raisins, dried fruit or nuts.
• coffee creamer containers make great food storage canisters for camping trips
• use in the fridge to store homemade syrups, salsa or sauces
• send cookies and left-over food treats home with the grandkids in a coffee creamer container so you don’t have to worry about getting the container back
• use as a handy container for pet treats

Organize Craft Supplies:

• great for storing craft paint brushes, pencils, pens, markers, chalk, glue sticks or other essential supplies
• keep an empty coffeemate container especially for buttons
• here’s a place for your ribbons
• use as a yarn dispenser when knitting or crochet; slip the ball of yarn into the container then thread the end up through the flip top; this keeps your yarn from getting dirty or tangling
• small packets of scrapbook charms, stickers or rub-on decals will fit nicely in a coffee creamer container

In the Freezer:

• use your coffee creamer containers to freeze handy servings of soups or stews
• fill with water and leave in the freezer; they will help keep the freezer cold in the event of a power cut
• fill with water, freeze, and use as needed in your picnic cooler
• fill with cut up rhubarb or other fruit for easy pie filling or the makings of jam in the winter

For the Gardener:

• use to store small bulbs or seeds
• fill with bird seed and use the flip-top opening to fill your bird feeders
• remove the lid, fill with water, and use as a vase for cut flowers
• cut down the container to make a nice white cover for a flower pot, or punch holes in the bottom to use as a flower pot with drainage

For the Kids:

• use to store small toys
• use a coffee creamer container as a coin bank; decorate the outside, if you like, with decoupaged tissue paper or magazine pictures
• fill with homemade playdough or bubble mixture
• use to collect all those wax crayon stubs; when you have enough make your own chunk wax candle
• save up the containers until you have enough to make a bowling game.  Fill each container with just enough sand or soil to weight it down a little.  Number the bottles, if you wish, then arrange them like a skittles in a bowling alley.  Try to knock down as many as you can with a rubber ball.
• Fill with some dried beans or rice to make musical shakers.

Shaker Bottles:

• dispense skim milk powder or icing sugar from a recycled coffee creamer container
• in winter, store one in the car filled with kitty litter to put under the tires if you get stuck on ice
• fill one with sidewalk salt and store near the door for easy shaking on icy front steps or  entranceway
• keep one filled with laundry detergent for visits to the laundromat
• fill with bulk baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (optional); use instead of expensive carpet deodorizers

Some of the ideas outlined here are courtesy of the WasteNothing Yahoo Group, a great resource for anyone who hates to waste anything and loves to recycle.