Everyone knows that getting a fun fandom-themed tea tin to go with your new favorite blend is only one of the bonuses to trying a new tea, but when you're an adventurous sampler, it can be hard to know what to do with extra tea tins when they start to stack up.

Well, if your display shelf is starting to look a little crowded, look no further. Here are ten alternate uses to give your empty tea tins new life.

Hold Clues for a Scavenger Hunt

If you're throwing a party, leading someone on an adventure, or just entertaining the kids, a scavenger hunt can be a great way to go about it. The only problem is that if you're using small items or paper for the clues, there's no guarantee that your next clue won't blow away or fall out of its hiding spot. To keep your scavenger hunt from ending early, try placing clues in empty tea tins instead. Small, hardy, and heavy enough to be wedged into tight places, tea tins are also the perfect size to hold whatever small item might otherwise be missed.



Bonus tip: If you're feeling really adventurous, try burying your clues around your garden or yard. The tea tins will protect your clues, and since they're easy to clean, clean-up afterward is a snap!

Party Favors

Throwing a party to celebrate a birthday, wedding, or the next season of your favorite show? Use tea tins to send candy, toys, or jewelry home with your guests. Match them to your theme with the images already on the front or decorate them to add your own special sense of flair.

Change Sorter

Ever find yourself fumbling for the right coins at the drive-thru or before laundry? Try using empty tea tins as change sorters. Lay them out in a convenient place in your car or on your dresser and simply drop coins in as you go. Empty them into your rainy day fund when they're full or take them on the go if you need a bunch for the laundromat or arcade.



Bonus tip: Want to keep all of your tea tins in one place or make them easier to move for travel or cleaning? Place magnets on the back of your tea tins and stick them all to a single piece of metal!

Paint Wells

Painting is a fun activity, but it can get messy. Use empty tea tins to dole out reasonable amounts of each color and re-fill as needed. Set all the tea tins in a tray or dish to keep them from splattering, and you'll have an easy way to manage paint portions, avoid mixing colors in the original jars (especially useful if working with kids), and easy clean-up when you're done.

Bonus tip: Depending on the paint type, you may be able to preserve excess color for later if you've finally found the perfect shade. Simply put the lid back on; add a post-it with the color, date, and any other pertinent information; and store it in a larger container to avoid leaks. Just be aware of drying times to avoid caked on paint! We suggest using oils over acrylics if you're going to try this technique, as they take longer to dry.

Display case

Got a favorite mini-fig you want to display when folks come over for D&D? Ceramic animals? Jewelry? Use a tea tin to put your proudest possessions on display. Decorate the inside of the tea tin to match the theme (for example, add fake dirt, sand, or grass if you want to display a mini-fig or add fancy fabric/foam for jewelry), then glue a matching photo to the inside of the lid. Connect the lid to the base with a screw, nail, or glue and you'll have a permanent mini-display for your tiny origami unicorn, solid gold paper clips, or anything else you want the world to see!

Soap Molds

On a similar note, tea tins are also the perfect size for making sample- or travel-sized soaps. If you're working with kids or around a theme, consider tossing in fun add-ons to match, such as small plastic animal 'fossils' or glitter, and if you're throwing a party, consider using them as party favors.

Mini Bento Boxes

Trying to eat healthy, but having trouble finding the right container or controlling portion sizes? Try using tea tins to sort out your snacks before you go. Mix and match snacks like almonds, dried cranberries, or cheeses, and stack them in your lunchbox as quick snacks you can tackle one at a time or all together as a mini-feast.

Makeup Tins

If you make your own lip gloss, color, or lotion, try using tea tins as on-the-go containers, gifts, or samples. These also work great if you sell your products, need to pack specific combinations for a show or event, or want to brand your products to a specific theme. Just be careful to provide an extra layer of protection against the lid slipping off (we recommend a rubber band) if you throw them in your bag or pocket, and don't use them for thinner lotions or products.

Sorting Trays

If you're working on a project like building a clock, a model, or a bedazzled sweater for your niece, there can be a lot of little pieces floating around. Use tea tins as sorting trays while working on your project to keep screws, rhinestones, cogs, or other small pieces from rolling away. Use multiple tea tins to sort objects by step, size, or type, and store remaining pieces in order when you take longer breaks.

Ring Box

If your one and only is a true tea aficionado, this last one takes the cake. If you really want to take them by surprise for your engagement, hide your ring in a tea tin of their favorite character, fandom, or blend. With this secret waiting in your pocket--or innocently on the counter, you'll be giving them one more reason to say yes!