From Candy to Keepsake: Upcycling Cavendish & Harvey Tins

Once the last sweet has been savoured, don’t be too quick to toss your Cavendish & Harvey tin. These elegant metal containers—embossed with festive motifs and rich gold tones—are just waiting to be transformed into something beautiful and useful. Whether for décor, gifting, or organizing, they’re perfect for creative reuse.

🕯 Make a Container Candle

One of our favourite ways to repurpose the tin is by turning it into a container candle. Simply clean the tin, remove the lid, and pour in melted wax and a wick. Once cooled and set, you’ll have a charming candle ready to light. The result is a cozy glow and a unique piece of Holiday ambiance. (We’ve even got a photo to inspire you!)

These little container candles also make wonderful handmade gifts—especially when paired with one of the Cavendish & Harvey tins in its original festive wrapping.

🧂 Kitchen & Office Storage

These tins are also incredibly handy for small-item storage. Use them in the kitchen for tea bags, herbs, or spice packets. Or place them on your desk to store paperclips, USB sticks, and odds and ends. The secure lid and compact size make them ideal for drawers, shelves, or on-the-go organization.

🎁 Gift Giving, Labels & Table Décor

Fill a cleaned tin with homemade cookies, loose-leaf tea, dried orange slices, or even plant cuttings—and you’ve got a ready-to-go gift in sustainable packaging. Want to add a personal touch? Create your own round label for the lid—design something festive or customized on your computer, print it out, cut to size, and simply glue it onto the top of the tin. Voilà! A one-of-a-kind gift that’s both thoughtful and charming.

Or, use the tins to serve holiday treats on your table—once guests enjoy what’s inside, they’ll love taking the container home to reuse.

🪴 Plant a Tiny Succulent

Give your tin a fresh, green second life by using it as a mini planter for succulents. These hardy little plants don’t need much soil or water, making them perfect for the compact size of the tin. Line the bottom with a few small pebbles for drainage, add cactus soil, and nestle in your plant. The result? A sweet little living decoration that looks great on a windowsill, desk, or shelf. (We love the version from Cavendish & Harvey's own Facebook page!)

🕯️ Create a Tealight Centerpiece

Turn your tin into a cozy tealight candle holder! With the lid removed, the shallow base of the tin fits three standard tealight candles side-by-side. Decorate the outside of the tin with ribbon or twine, and you’ve got a simple but beautiful centerpiece. Add a sprig of greenery or some pinecones around it for an extra festive touch. (We’ve got a great image from Facebook to show you just how magical it can look!)

🌱 A Second Life Worth Sharing

Cavendish & Harvey themselves love to share upcycling ideas on their DIY blog, including turning their tins into macramé vases and terrazzo-style desk organizers. Their tins aren’t just packaging—they’re designed to last and to be enjoyed well beyond the final sweet.

So next time you enjoy a tin of Cavendish & Harvey drops, think beyond the candy. That little gold tin has a whole second life ahead of it—and it might just become your new favourite candle, container, or personalized gift box.