Easy DIY Vintage Tool Box Christmas Decor
What can you do with an old tool box? Repurpose an old metal tool box into upcycled Christmas decor with these simple styling tips. Easy DIY projects and junky vintage finds add to the flea market decor Charm.
While you’re pulling out the Christmas bins of decor, take a trip to the garage. Or maybe to your local vintage shop or estate sale. If you can find an old metal tool box or a wooden tool box, you have the foundation for a fun, junky Christmas arrangement. Here’s how to make an Easy DIY Vintage Tool Box Christmas Decor that will make your friends say, “I want one of those!”
Easy DIY Vintage Tool Box Christmas Decor
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Gather Your Materials
Once you find an old tool box, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean enough to use as decor in your house! Often these old toolboxes are greasy from their garage or basement days. My favorite degreasing cleaning product is THIS. Rinse with hot water and dry thoroughly. I also like to seal my vintage pieces with a coat of THIS. Then they’re all ready to use anywhere in your home for decor or organizing (you can find many of my vintage reviver’s favorites HERE).
Gather these materials, too:
- 2-3 canning jars with small mouths-clear or aqua
- old books/foam squares
- pinecones
- real or faux evergreen sprays
- votive candles
- votive candle cups (find them HERE)
- seasonal ornaments or junky bling
Arrange Your Toolbox with Decor
Depending on the depth of your toolbox, you may want to add a couple of books first to make your arrangement higher. This green toolbox is fairly deep and I wanted the two canning jars to be at different heights in the arrangement. You could also use floral styrofoam, which would allow you to poke faux greens in. I do like the stableness of books, though.
THESE fluted candle holders turn any small mouth canning jar into art. You could also fill the jars with decorative seasonal filler, like peppermint candy or epsom salts. Make a centerpiece out of a grouping of them in a canning jar lifter, which you can see in my Christmas kitchen HERE (it’s my most pinned pic.)
Next, add pinecones to fill the space around the canning jars. Poke sprays of real or faux evergreens in and around the arrangement. I clipped the trees in my yard for this one, buy you can use faux greens for a longer lasting display.
Add Junky DIY Accents to Finish
The arrangement could be done at this point, but I like to personalize each one with it’s own personality. Choose a theme and run with it. This green toolbox got a Merry Christmas theme by adding some simple Scrabble Holiday Art and a Vintage Folding Ruler Star. A couple red berries and a little bottle brush tree finish off the arrangement nicely.
Wouldn’t this be a fun gift to give to someone who loved vintage finds?
This toolbox is less deep and longer. It got a Let it Snow theme and could be used as decor all winter long. Aqua blue ball jars and DIY yarn balls (find the how to HERE) give a crisp and cozy vibe.
More Christmas Decor Toolboxes to Inspire Your Ideas
Years ago, my store biz partner and I use to whip up a bunch of these fun arrangements for the holiday season. Here are a couple more examples to spur your ideas:
A rustic winter snow theme with pheasant feathers, old wood accent, a snowflake ornament and a vintage snowy picture tied on with twine. Notice how adding texture inside the jars can be an additional accent.
Faux antlers and raffia tied around the necks of the jars add texture to this display.
This snowy version includes adding epsom salts inside the aqua jars. Vintage lightbulbs are scattered in and around the flocked evergreens.
Hopefully you’re inspired to find an old toolbox for yourself and start decorating! Most of these items you probably already have around the house; all you have to do is put them together in an artistic way.
More DIY toolbox ideas and inspiration:
“Repurposed Old Wood Crate Tote Caddy DIY”
“Quick and Easy Christmas Crate Centerpiece”
“10 Great Ways to Use Old Toolboxes”
These toolbox arrangements can be fun to use on an entryway table with their candles lit for a holiday greeting. They can also be a great gift idea for a friend who loves unique decor. Creative and budget friendly!
Hope you enjoyed this Easy DIY Vintage Tool Box Christmas Decor inspiration! Be sure to sign up to Become an Insider so I can send more ideas right to you! (sign up HERE)
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All funtastic ideas! Love the colors and all that greenery. I need to do this at the farmhouse. So cute.
You totally should!
I love what you’ve done with these old toolboxes. I pinned them, I do have a few myself and now I have some ideas to decorate them.
Glad to send ideas your way, Marlene!
Gosh Lora!! Every single time you use the ‘junk’ that you find it turns out absolutely amazing!!! The green toolbox is so perfect for the season. Pinned!!
Yep…I’m in love with junk! Glad you enjoyed it, Rachel:)
Wow! This looks amazing. So many great ideas.
Thanks, Renae!
The candle cups are genius. I have 17 antique blue Ball jars and it’s a pain when I use tea lights in the bottom of them. This will be so much easier. My favorite is your snowy version with the vintage Christmas bulbs. Where did ever find the exact color to match the jars!?
I believe these vintage bulbs are from the 60’s…when aqua was all the rage:)