When you’re looking to make a special gift for the tiny people in your life, it’s always rewarding to gift something from the past, a treasure of sorts. As holiday season rolls around it’s a time when I like to get creative. bah…I always like be creative, honestly. haha. However, making gifts for children really delights me to no end. It’s time to raid grandma’s closet to create an upcycled flatware chest dress-up set fun for kids of all ages.

Now, before I continue, I want to invite you to see what I’ve done with other upcycled flatware chests in the past:

• Washboard Silverware Box Cupboard
• Upcycled Silverware Box into Jewelry Box
• Upcycled Silverware Chest for Home Decor
• Repurposed Silverware Box to Luggage

Here’s a peek at the inside of this one. Nothing special, but definitely has potential to be more. When my friend, Mandy, offered this to me, it did have a mixed lot of stainless steel pieces in it, but those are not piquing my interest.

Also, why are these boxes almost always lined in red? Why not blue, or purple, or green. meh.

DIY TIME

As you can imagine, the first order of business is to remove that lining. I will be honest and say that this is my least favorite part of repurposing these boxes.

However, it’s a necessary job and it feels good when it’s all clean. For this particular box, I just mist with water, let it soak in, and scrape out. Sometimes, I sand too. Next, I use a black paint to give the box a couple of coats letting cure in between.

Then, once the paint cures, I line the interior of the box with black felt as well. With that in mind, here’s a video demonstrating how I line my boxes with fabric.

That makes it dressed up and a perfect blank slate for what’s next. Check out what my local thrift store shopping spree scored.

One of the most fun and most affordable ways to bring the imagination to life are scarves! They can be used to dress up, make tents, banners…you get the idea. Many moons ago when my children were tiny I made a huge basket of scarves over time. They STILL play with them to this day for skits or just plain ol’ silly time.

PLAY TIME

Here’s my dated and dingy upcycled flatware box turned into a box of creative play. Care to join us?

Just imagine a case full of loved ones accessories and goodies…even the case can have a memory too! My kids never cease to fail me with their creativity. Also, I gifted a vintage kids luggage full of scarves to my nephew a few years ago. Since then, he has sewn together his scarves into a quilt for his bed. So fun!

Additionally, if you look close, I added a luggage handle and closure to the top.

Plus, I also add rubber feet to the bottom to make it more functional too. Can you tell I have fun with my projects?

So…who’s game to live a little and have some fun? There’s no reason you can’t join your kids, your grand kids, or the neighbor kids in some fun. It’s a treat to play at any age!

In addition to sharing your fun childhood dress-up memory, do pin and share to inspire others. Spread the love.

With that in mind, stay tuned to see what becomes of this I just pulled off the curb from my neighbor’s trash. eep! Come see it now HERE.

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Also, more fun projects like my upcycled flatware chest: