When you receive a gift basket, the first thing you notice is its contents. All the delicacies it contains instantly grab your attention and you can’t wait to tear off the wrapper and dive right in. Of course, whether it’s a Christmas hamper, birthday hamper, anniversary hamper, or any other hamper, the contents never last forever. That’s when you really notice the container that the trash has been placed in and start imagining how you can put it to good use. Unfortunately, over time, your wooden basket can age and can even suffer damage, but instead of throwing them away, how about giving them a new look?

 

Strip it down

The first thing you will need to do is strip your wooden basket of any decorative elements. Once you have a clean slate, you can deep clean your hamper. Use a regular household brush to clean the surface of dust and debris. While it may be tempting, don’t use furniture polish to clean the trash can. Instead, if you find stubborn dirt, you can use a small amount of dish soap in warm water to clean it up. However, if you use this method, you’ll need to let it dry completely before proceeding.

 

Inspect for damage

Now is the time to take a close look at every inch of your trash can and inspect your wooden basket for any signs of damage. Depending on the extent and type of damage, it will be necessary to choose the appropriate repair material. You may need to use raffia, wire, or even carpenter’s glue. If you use a chemical product, you need to make sure it is compatible with the material used to make the hamper. Some adhesive substances are extremely hard and can cause more damage than anything else.

 

Wood stain

Choose the stain you want to use on your trash can to give it a whole new look. Stir or shake well before starting. Every time you dip the brush into the stain, be patient and let the excess ink drip off. You don’t want to apply too much and you certainly don’t want a patchy result.

 

Careful painting

Start by painting the inside of the wooden basket, and once you’re done, you can move on to the outside. You may need to press the brush tip between spaces to ensure you get the desired end result.

 

Touch up

Once you’ve stained the entire wooden basket, you’ll need to inspect your work for any drip marks or spots you may have missed. Touch up where necessary. When you’re happy with the result, hang the basket by the handle using a hanger or hook.

 

Once it’s completely dry, you’ll have a fresh, new wooden basket to use however you like. Depending on the size of the basket, you can use it to hold any number of items and you could even use it to make your own gift basket to give to someone else when the time comes.