Upcycling a Wicker Picnic Basket into a Magazine Box for Christmas Magazines

This, my friends, is what I like to call a “Post-Christmas Christmas Project”, if that makes any sense. It all started with this wicker picnic basket that I found on a thrift store shelf. I thought it had the cutest shape (like a small suitcase) and I chuckled over how dainty it seemed…compared to normal picnic baskets. It was, in fact, not much larger than a magazine (length- and width-wise, not depth-wise). And that’s when I decided it would be PERFECT for my endless collection of Christmas magazines.

It was in decent shape, structure-wise, with the only real blemish being bits of glued-on paper on one side. It was as if packaging had once been glued on and then ripped off hastily.

I knew I wanted to use it as a magazine box for Christmas magazines. Which meant I didn’t really need to give it a makeover. But, who am I kidding? OF COURSE I’M GOING TO GIVE IT A MAKEOVER.

Since I had thought that this wicker picnic basket looked like a little suitcase from the start, that’s the makeover direction I took. With a little paint and some Christmas ribbon, I would transform him into vintage luggage!

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Upcycling a Wicker Picnic Basket to hold Christmas Magazines

First, I decided to paint the picnic basket, inside and outside, white for a fresh, clean look. I used painter’s tape to cover the existing handle, hardware, and locking flap so that the faux leather popped against the white paint.

I painted it a satin white, allowed the paint to dry, then then removed the painter’s tape.

Next, I gathered some Christmas ribbon that I would use as suitcase straps on the wicker picnic basket. And Christmas ribbon seemed fitting since this would be used as Christmas storage, right?

I decided the plaid/velvet ribbon was a touch too wide, so I went with the muted plaid ribbon instead.

Using my favorite mixed media shears, I snipped off a length of ribbon, folded over one end, and slipped it between the front and back of the picnic basket. After lining it up against the now-white hinge, I hot-glued it inside the front of the wicker basket.

I did the same at the other end, again hot-gluing it in place.

I also added a few beads of glue underneath the suitcase straps along the front cover to keep it in place. Doesn’t that look great? Just like vintage luggage – AND it’ll be the most darling magazine box ever.

After doing the exact same thing to the other side, it was done! My wicker basket was now the perfect magazine box for the Christmas magazines. I loved the idea of keeping them all together with the rest of my Christmas storage.

A Magazine Box for Christmas Magazines with a Picnic Basket that Looks Like Vintage Luggage

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is over…but at least I have Christmas storage for my Christmas magazines.

And I’ll definitely smile next year when we go into the loft to retrieve all our Christmas decor…and there it’ll be, like a little vintage suitcase. Just the perfect magazine box or storage basket that is as cute as can be.

Plus, there is room for more mags! So I think I’ll be adding a new Christmas magazine or two for next year.

If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for Christmas magazines, then you’ll also love this eco-friendly idea for Christmas gift wrap using vintage sewing patterns, too.

Craft on!

S

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