The history of tin containers

Tin containers, also known as tin boxes or simply tins, are frequently used for packaging coffee, biscuits, breath mints, holiday treats, and sewing supplies. Tin containers originated in England in the early 1700s as a means of packaging snuff, but today’s tins have evolved to be both functional and decorative—with some enthusiasts even treating tins as a collector’s item. Artsy collectors often modify tin boxes with embellishments and paint to add their own unique flair. While tins are, of course, made of tin, other common materials are ceramic, plastic, wood, and aluminum. The result? Endless uses and designs to choose from.

Tins are one of the most versatile items in your home. Here are a few pretty and practical ways to use them throughout your house: Tea tins: Tea tins and coffee tins are tall, wide tins designed to store your favorite coffee or tea bags. Whether you’re after customized containers decorated with a jaunty saying or vintage tins with hand-painted borders that harken back to antique china, artisans on Etsy outdo themselves with every new design. Storage tins: Medicine, utensils, candies, cords, or hair ties. When it comes to storage tins , the only limit is your imagination. These tins come in a kaleidoscope of shapes and sizes to suit your storage needs, and many shops on Etsy offer personalization options to ensure that you’re getting the exact style you’re looking for. Decorative tins: Sometimes, all you want is a tin shaped like a Polaroid camera or an oblong tin container decked out with Art Deco engravings. From collectibles for your curiosity cabinet to dining table centerpieces, decorative tins offer a fun way to dress up your home.

Organizing with tin containers

In the modern home or business, there’s a call for discreet and space-conscience storage options. Tin containers hear this call and deliver. Even vintage cookie tins reflect how storage can blend in seamlessly with the existing aesthetic of a room, rather than cluttering your spaces. Alongside their variety of uses, endless design options, and ease of cleaning, tin containers are more than just a home decor trend—they’re nothing short of a must-have staple.

Tins

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Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

debbie shaffer

5 out of 5 stars

"After replacing the first one, the second one was perfect and after I added a line too. 3 lines fit nicely on the bottom. Tom was quick to replace and very responsive. A nice 10th anniversary tin gift for our traveling family."

Custom 10th Wedding Anniversary Engraved Sundial Gift for: Parents, Grandparents, Couples, For Him or Her, Tin Anniversary
Melissa

5 out of 5 stars

"Bought it as a 10th year anniversary gift for our cousin. Its a perfect combination of tin and rose Anniversary. Thanks!"

10th Anniversary Tin Rose - Solid Pure Casted 100% Tin - Rose
Chris Welch

5 out of 5 stars

"Great tins to hold meds"

3 Pack - Metal Tins | Blank Altoid Tins, Hinged Lid Tin Boxes for Wedding Favors, Embroidery Supply Storage, Craft Projects - RECTANGLE TINS
meganmyburgh

5 out of 5 stars

"My husband was so impressed with the craftmanship and originality of our wedding song tin sign. I ordered it late and was sure it would not make it in time for our anniversary, but Honeycomb was so great and got it to me with a day to spare! Its beautiful!"

Wedding Song on Tin, Anniversary Tin Gift, 10th Anniversary Gift, Our Song , Metal Sign, First Dance Anniversary Gift, Ten Year Anniversary

Tins

Rare Vintage Biscuit Tin in Blue & White Antique Floral Tin Ginger Jar Look Asian Cherry Blossoms ? Flowers Farmhouse Cottage Décor

Crayola Collector Tin W Lid Storage Gift Box Limited Edition NO CRAYONS Vintage

10 Metal Tins for Crafting, Wedding Favors, Baby Shower Favors, Plain Hinged Lid Tin, Altoid Tin, Blank Tin, Gold Tin, Copper Tin

Someone Added A Different Lid To This Antique Campfire Marshmallow Tin And It’s Perfection

Pouch Keeper Tin - Zyn Pouch 3D Tin Container Compact and Stylish Nicotine Pouch Holder | Perfect Gift for Him, Her, Christmas & More

Crow tin, stitch marker tin LARGE (017)

Asthma Medicine Tin Potter's vintage mid century

Nico Tin

Antique French Tin Botanical Vasculum, Plant Specimen Storage Bag

Goose Tin Can Rusty Tin Can, Rusty Home Decor,

Tooled Leather Engraved Tin, Stash Tin, Travel Tin, Gift Box

Vintage Aluminium Quiles Ear Plug Tin Paris

Vintage 1995 Wookiee Cookies Chewbacca Wookie Half Moon Bay Bath England Biscuit Barrel | HMB Lucas Film Merchandise Metal Tin Collectibles

vintage tin box with lid | decorative storage container

Vintage Piglet Tin- Winnie the Pooh Tin - Rare Piglet Tin - Tiny Piglet Tin - Hunkdory Tin

Vintage Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Tin, Cookie Tin, Oriental Tin, Old Tin, Storage Tin

Cactus tin LARGE, Notions tin, treasure box, jewellery box

Altoids-Esc Metal Hinged Tin Wallet Gift Card Holder Box Stash Trendy Cute Wizard Crystal Castles Hello Kitty Gummy Bear Anime Manga Mouse

Your Choice Vintage 1 Pound Coffee Tins w/Original Lids: Folgers, Chase & Sanborn, Golden Wedding

Jelly fish tin LARGE, Notions tin, treasure box, jewellery box (034)

Vintage GBC rectangula biscuit tin/metal box, embossed tavern/bar figures motif, made in Belgium,collectible, decorative,gift

Guildcraft Gold Tin

Vintage Floral Yellow Tin by Huntley and Palmers

12PCS 2oz/60ml/60G Aluminum Tin,Screw Round top Metal tins with Lid ,Small Container Storage Jar Lip Balm,Salve tin,Travel Tin

Dr. Worden's Female Pills - antique reproduction patent medicine tin for reenactors, cosplay - perfect gift for her

Vintage Tins. Collectable Antique Tins. Retro Advertising Tins. Boho Oxo/tea/Cigar/Money/Biscuit Storage Caddy. Small Vintage Storage Box.

3 Pack - Metal Tins | Blank Altoid Tins, Hinged Lid Tin Boxes for Wedding Favors, Embroidery Supply Storage, Craft Projects - RECTANGLE TINS

Ian Logan Village Stores Railway Station-House Vintage Storage Tin (11cm)

Sm. Vintage Retro Style Sunflower Seeds Metal Can With Daisies

Pouch Keeper - Zyn Pouch Container - Nicotine Holder - Screw Container for Nicotine

Vintage Macfarlane Lang & Co Biscuit tin

An original vintage pre Euro Panther Sprint rectangular black and gold 50 Cigarillos tin

Tin Sweet Shop Drawers for “Victory V” Lozenges circa 1910

Metal Picnic Basket Tin LU Biscuits Tin Lefevre-Utile Weave Tin Hinged Lids Two Openings Bale Handle Vtg 1930 Litho Lunch Box Collectible

Vintage Tin - England Made Tin

1950s Large Antique Tin Can / Jar Sweden 25 cm

Vintage Tin - Big Ben Pocket Tobacco Tin - Vintage Tin Ad

Churchill's of London - Carousel tin (empty) - highly collectible

36 Sets 1oz/30ml Silver Aluminum Tin,Small Screw Round Lip Metal Tin Storage Jar Balm Container Lid

Ogden's Redbreast Flake - Tobacco Tin C.1920

Personalised Own Message Heart Metal Tin Gift Box - Sentimental Romantic Keepsake - Gift For Boyfriend, Girlfriend, Husband, Wife, Valentine

Churchill's of London Carousel Tin

Gift card box, solid copper, free engraving with your message

Sara Miller Purple Bird Tin | Food Storage Container

Celestial swallows tin (022)

Altoid Tin Tackle Box! Tool Box! Jewelry Box!

Vintage MOORES The Coffee Merchants and Blenders Traditional delivery Truck tin Collectible 1991tin box England vintage tin Red vehicle tin

Vintage 1930s Jacobs' biscuit tin with Tower of London design in great condition

Antique Soap Dish, Silver Tone, Clasp Travel Toiletries, Cosmetics Case, Anniversary Gift,Wedding Favor,Romantic Couple,Picnic by the Water

Vintage Metal Canister Green Hand Painted Folk Art Man Woman Peacock No Lid Rustic Farmhouse Kitchen PanchosPorch

Vintage Art Deco Cake Tin, Buszards of London Cake Tin, Cookie Tin, Old Tin, Storage Tin

Tin Cans 4"x3", 12 count MIXED, Smooth Edges, Mixed Flat & Round Bottom Edges, Empty Soup / Veggie Cans, Cans for Crafting. Recycling

Mariana Madrani Cocaine Chewing Gum - reproduction patent medicine tin for reenactors, cosplay, gamers - perfect gift

Vintage Kitchen Vignette with warm wood tones, brass and glass, and shades of blue and white

EDC Titanium Alloy Can Sealed Storage Box Camping Gear Portable Medicine Organizer Coffee Can

Art Deco Blue Bird Toffee Tin

Farmhouse Decor, Cookie Tin, Personalized Tin, Metal Cookie Tin, Personalized Bakery Tin, Bakery Box, Kitchen Decor, Cookie Box, Gift Mom

SCHILLING NUTMEG TIN 1977 Vintage Kitchen Free Shipping

Edition 017: AMERICA Metal Snus Can, Metal Container for Zyn, ON, Velo, or Lucy, Snus Container, Tobacco Container, Dip Can, Gift for Him

Whale notions tin LARGE (032)

Coffee Grounds Bin, Antique Tin Metal Can, Coffee Grinder Bin

Vintage Art Deco Era Biscuit Tin Embossed Belted Trunk Design, Domed Lid - Very Decorative!

Vintage Huntley & Palmers Cake Tin, Windsor Cake Tin, Old Tin, Storage Tin

Vintage…1980s English Dana Kubrick…Hunky Dory Design Cat Tin

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