Skip the wine and chocolates. Make an easy DIY Thanksgiving hostess gift: an upcycled tin can door hanger she can use year after year.
Looking for an easy DIY Thanksgiving hostess gift? Skip the usual bottle of wine or box of chocolates and make a smashed tin can door hanger instead.
It is an upcycled planter the hostess can use year after year, and it comes together quickly. Fill it with greenery, add a gift tag and you are all set.
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Updated October 2026. First published November 2022.
Quick Guide: DIY Thanksgiving Hostess Gift
- What you are making: a smashed tin can door hanger, also called a wall pocket planter
- Skill level: easy
- Supplies: tin can planter with a lip on the bottom, can opener, hammer, wire cutters, floral foam, greenery, twine or ribbon and hot glue
- Finishing touch: a free printable Thanksgiving gift tag
- Also works for: Christmas, with a seasonal tin
DIY Thanksgiving Hostess Gift
Table of Contents
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is the food, but let’s be honest: the real star of the show is the hostess.
After all, without her (or him!), there would be no Thanksgiving feast for us to enjoy. That is why it is important to show your appreciation with a thoughtful hostess gift.
It does not have to be anything expensive, but you never want to show up empty-handed.
Go for something unexpected, like an upcycled tin can door hanger. These adorable planters are super easy to make, and they are a great way to dress up a front door for the holiday season.
When you see how quickly this hostess gift comes together, you will want to make one for yourself too!
Why a Tin Can Door Hanger Makes a Great Homemade Thanksgiving Hostess Gift
Like so many of you, I am in my element this time of year. I am one of those annoying people planning Christmas decor in July and counting down the days until it is reasonably acceptable to put up my Christmas tree!
So I am super excited to share this hostess gift idea with you.
If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have seen my tin can wall pocket planters. They were my most popular project in 2022, and there is a little trick to making them.
Once you make one, you become obsessed with all things smashed cans. There was even a viral TikTok trend for smashed can crafts.
Whenever I see unique things made out of tin, I automatically think about smashing them. 🙂
Wine, Chocolate or Handmade? Thanksgiving Hostess Gift Ideas Compared
Not sure what to bring to someone’s house for Thanksgiving? Here is how a handmade planter stacks up against the usual choices.
| Gift | Why people choose it | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle of wine | Easy to grab on the way over | Not everyone drinks, and it is gone after dinner |
| Box of chocolates | Almost always welcome | Gone long after the feast is over, and easy to forget |
| Handmade tin can planter | Personal, reusable and pretty on a door, wall or shelf | Takes a little time, and you need the right kind of can |
If you would like more DIY hostess gift ideas, try my easy DIY candy cups Thanksgiving favors, pinecone fire starters with a free printable gift tag or crystal candles.
Supplies Needed to Make a Smashed Can Door Hanger
- Thankful tin can planter: mine was from Dollar Tree, but you can also find them at Hobby Lobby
- Can opener
- Free Thanksgiving gift tags
- Floral foam
- Assorted greenery or floral stems of your choice
- Hammer
- Wire cutters
- Hot glue and twine or ribbon for hanging
How to Pick the Right Tin Can for This Craft
The hardest part about tin can crafts is finding a can that works with a can opener. Look for a small lip on the bottom of the can.
Not all tin cans are made this way, and lots of food cans have flat bottoms, so they will not work for this craft.
If you ever see someone in the grocery store checking out the bottoms of soup and vegetable cans, chances are they are a fellow crafter!
I was so happy when I spotted this planter at Dollar Tree and saw it would work with a can opener.
How to Make a Smashed Can Door Hanger
Step 1. Remove the tin can bottom
Use a can opener to take the bottom off the can. Be sure to set the can bottom aside for later.
Step 2. Flatten the bottom of the tin can
Removing the bottom lets you flatten the can into a wall pocket or hanging planter.
Start by pressing the open end down to close it. You should be able to press it almost completely flat with your hand.
Step 3. Seal the bottom of the can
When the can is almost fully closed, switch to a hammer. Then tighten it by using wire cutters to press all along the edges.
Safety tip: Cut metal edges can be sharp, so wear work gloves and go slowly.
Step 4. Add floral foam and greenery
Place a piece of floral foam into the can. Just cut a piece that fits in the middle. It does not have to fill the entire can.
Then add your choice of greenery, faux flowers, fall leaves or whatever you like. I used a pine stem bunch from my craft stash and it fit perfectly!
Step 5. Add twine for hanging
Hot glue a piece of twine or ribbon to the back so you can hang it. Because the can has a flat bottom, you have created a wall pocket that can hang on a door or wall, or sit in a bookcase for a pretty display.
Add a cute gift tag and you are all set to surprise your hostess with a pretty planter she can use year after year, long after the chocolates are gone!
Ideas for Filling Your Tin Can Planter
For Thanksgiving, try greenery, faux flowers or fall leaves tucked into the floral foam.
You can use the same idea for Christmas with a seasonal tin. It would look so pretty with red berries and poinsettias.
Don’t Toss the Can Bottom: Make an Ornament
Do you remember I told you to set aside the can bottom? I turned mine into a decoupage Christmas ornament with an adorable vintage graphic.
Thanksgiving Hostess Gift FAQ
Bring something thoughtful that does not have to be expensive. Instead of wine or chocolates, a handmade tin can planter is an unexpected gift the hostess can keep using after the holiday.
A smashed tin can door hanger is easy and quick to make. Remove the can bottom, flatten the can, add floral foam and greenery, then hot glue on twine. It can hang on a door or wall or sit on a shelf.
Use a can opener to remove the bottom, press the can down by hand until it is almost flat, then switch to a hammer. Finish by pressing along the edges with wire cutters to tighten the seal.
Choose a can with a small lip on the bottom so a can opener can remove it. Many food cans have flat bottoms and will not work. My planter came from Dollar Tree.
Cut a piece of floral foam to fit the middle of the can, then add greenery, faux flowers or fall leaves. A pine stem bunch fit mine perfectly.
Yes. Use a seasonal tin and fill it with red berries and poinsettias for a Christmas version.
More Thanksgiving Crafts and Fall Decorating Ideas
- Tin can wall pocket planters
- Dollar Tree succulent tin can planter ideas
- Free printable Thanksgiving gift tags
- 15 simple ideas for a beautiful Thanksgiving tablescape
- 53 Dollar Tree pumpkin makeovers
- Fall decorating ideas
- Buffalo check and sunflower fall tablescape
- Easy dough bowl styling
Serving guests 21 and over? This apple cider mezcal margarita is a favorite.
What do you think of this super simple tin can craft?
Leave a comment and let me know if you give this DIY a try, and save it to your Thanksgiving board on Pinterest so you can find it next year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Amy Sadler Designs – Heirloom Pumpkin Kitchen Dish Towel
Simple Nature Decor – Pine Cone Napkin Ring for Rustic Thanksgiving Tablescape
Zucchini Sisters – Thanksgiving Door Hanger Dollar Tree DIY
Sonya Burgess – Styling a Simple Thrifted Thanksgiving Table
Hazel Avery
Monday 21st of November 2022
I love these hostess gift ideas. How fun! I think they will look great with the new cabinet painting I'm wanting to get. Thanks for the ideas.
Mary Beth
Friday 18th of November 2022
You seriously are so creative and have the most wonderful DIY ideas! Happy Thanksgiving, friend! xo
Vicki and Jenn 2 Bees in a Pod
Wednesday 16th of November 2022
Just stop the cuteness! Michelle - you are so very creative. Your tin planter is absolutely adorable. Thanks for sharing your knowledge about smashed can crafts. Happy Thanksgiving!
Cindy
Tuesday 15th of November 2022
This is such a fun idea Michelle and something I'd be proud to gift! Happy Thanksgiving my friend!
Kristi
Tuesday 15th of November 2022
What a clever idea, Michelle! I absolutely love it. Would be fun as a door pocket, too, in place of a traditional wreath. xoxo, kristi