Okay, so imagine this—you just inhaled a tub of mint chip (or rocky road if you’re one of those people), and now you’re in possession of a strangely sturdy plastic container that is too substantial to toss away. You might be wondering whether you can recycle an ice cream container. Okay, technically it’s trash, but… is it?
I don’t know when it started, but I, at some point, fell into the trap of hoarding these things. Not in a “I’m going to build a fort out of empty Häagen-Dazs tubs” way, but just—I would look at them and think, there has to be something I could do with this. Said ice cream container is actually kind of perfect for DIYs. Especially if you fancy that slightly Pinterest-core, “I made this from literal trash” aesthetic. One of the quickest and, dare I say, cutest things to make is a little decorative basket. Kind of like a storage basket, but not trying too hard.
So basically, you’re going to cover an ice cream tub with some yarn or twine or something lying around the house, maybe glue a few faux flowers on it, and bam—it becomes a little holder thing for whatever is cluttering up your life: pens, cotton balls, the one charging cable you keep but convince yourself you don’t need. Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it satisfying? Weirdly, yes.
Wait—Why are we Doing this?
Okay, hold on. Before you get out that glue gun, just think for a quick second about the actual structure of these containers. They are made to hold cold, kind of heavy, sometimes sticky things. Therefore, they are leak-proof, and also, fairly sturdy. Which is somewhat uncommon when you consider how often we’ve tossed stuff out.
They can be of different materials like plastic or cardboard, but the surfaces are smooth and reasonably good to decorate. And they stack nicely. You can use them to store things, but they’re also small enough to fit into things. They’re helpful and look nice.
If you’re not into baskets (that’s fine), here are other quick ideas I’ve seen some people do – or just a reasonable explanation of things I told myself I’d try and have totally not done:
- Line with soil and make a planter (be sure to poke holes in the bottom though or you’ll regret it.)
- Organize kid toys, crayons, and tiny chaos machines.
- Wrap up a DIY gift box.
- Use it as a way to corral those random things in your desk drawer – like paper clips, batteries you’re scared to throw away, etc.
But anyway, back to baskets.
You Don’t Need Much – Here Is The List
So, go ahead, check your junk drawer or closet for:
- cleaned out ice cream tub (oval ones are the easiest, but honestly any shape will do.)
- some fabric or tissue paper for the inside lining.
- yarn, twine or ribbon to wrap on the outside.
- hot glue gun (or strong craft glue if you like torturing yourself).
- scissors.
- optional but fun: buttons, lace, fake flowers, felt (for the bottom), scraps of ribbon, all that cute clutter.
How You Actually Do This (Mess Is Part of The Fun)
Step 1: Clean The Grossness Out
Obvious but worth mentioning – remove all the sticky residue. Any label residue, rinse it and make sure it is fully dried. If it has a handle (some do), you can keep it or take it off, totally up to you and the look you want. If it doesn’t have a handle and you want one, you will MacGyver that later.
Step 2: Cut the Top If It Is UGLY!
Some containers have this really thick lip that, as you progress up towards the top, you are trying to wrap an uneven edge around. Again, not saying you have to do this, but cutting off like a half cm off of the top edge helps. Whatever you cover it with will look more like “something I intentionally covered in yarn,” instead of “trash I covered in yarn,” if that is helpful.
Step 3: Line Inside of It, So It Doesn’t Look So Sad!
Cut some random fabric, or thinner tissue paper to fit inside of yours. Do not think of this as a perfectionist act. Mainly you are trying to hide whatever branding or glue, or etc. has been left over from the original product. You are going to glue this in with hot glue (and yes, you can burn your fingers) and try to flatten it as best as possible. If it crinkles a bit and you are not worried about it, that’s even better because it is handmade! It’s the character!
Step 4: Wrap It (This Is Where It Starts To Look Legit!)
This step may take longer than expected especially if you are using thinner yarn. It also could be something you find meditative. Before you begin, have a little too much yarn controlled at the base. The first and foremost concern is not to pull the base yarn too tight, with using the hot glue to guide upwards in a spiral. The important concern is to not leave space in between the two coils. If you leave a few spaces, pretend it is “boho rustic.” As for color, it’s totally your call. Bright colors look fun and loud, neutrals go in the “Farmhouse Instagram Mom” route, and pastels are always a safe choice.
Step 5: Add A Handle (Optional but Cute)
This part depends on what you want; if you’re going for a permanent handle, grab some rope, yarn, or even pipe cleaners (those still exist right?) and just glue both ends in the container. If you want to look fancy about it, you can wrap the handle with whatever you wrapped the outside in, so it all matches.
If you are more of the “let’s make it adjustable” type, punch holes on both sides, and just thread a ribbon or piece of rope through instead. Tie knots on the inside to hold it. Boom, collapsible handle.
Step 6: Go Wild With Decor
This is the part where it switches from “DIY project” to “probably an unhinged craft experiment.” Which is fun. You can hot glue some lace around the edge, stick on fake flowers or flower buttons, whatever you feel like. If it’s a gift basket, you can even theme it: red and green for Christmas, florals for spring, or chaotic glitter for birthdays.
Honestly, this is the step where kids get so into it, so if you are looking for a weekend distraction, hand them the glue gun (with your presence) and let them take the lead!
Okay, so what do I do with it now?
Here’s where the basket starts to REALLY come in handy and is not just “a thing you made and now have to find a place for”.
- Use it as a gift basket – throw in some snacks, a candle, maybe a gift bag of bathing stuff and bam!
- Put it in your bathroom for washcloths or fancy soap you’re pretending to use in which case you should just throw the whole basket in there.
- Put it on your desk for pens, sticky notes, that mystery key you’ve had for years.
- Just throw whatever tiny bits keep going missing in there – craft stuff, sewing thread…
- Make it a mini toy bin for Legos or action figures or… whatever is always underfoot.
- Use it for seasonal decor – fill it with pinecones, fairy lights, fake snow, plastic eggs… you get it.
A Few Random Tips to Keep You From Losing Your Mind
Don’t go crazy with the glue. Especially on fabric. It’ll seep through and look strangely crunchy.
If your yarn is super thin, double it up or go slowly – otherwise you’ll be wrapping for hours.
If color matching is not your thing, try not to go too wild. Matching embellishment colors to your room vibe (or the theme of your gift) makes it feel less like… a preschool project.
These are fairly sturdy but still… it’s a former ice cream container. So maybe don’t use it to hold rocks.
So, Is it Worth the Trouble?
Honestly? Yes. It’s one of those low-stakes, low-cost, things you totally feel like you did something mildly productive with today. You’re saving a tiny bit of plastic from the landfill, you have a tiny basket, and you scratched that “I want to make something with my hands but don’t want to be overwhelmed” itch.
Plus, if you’re looking for a craft where you want to zone out while binge-watching your latest show, or something to do with the kids, it fits the bill. You don’t need any fancy skills. You don’t have to make a trip to Michaels. It’s just… stuff you probably already have.
So, the next time you finish that ice cream—and you will—don’t toss the tub. Grab some yarn, plug in the low temp glue gun and go make yourself a not-quite-perfect, kinda cute, basket out of your dessert garbage.
