Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Estimated time to make this decoration:
a few hours (paint has to dry)

Materials:
Large coffee cans, fruit juice cans

Wire (optional) for "handle"

Spray enamel

Fabric w/large motifs to cut and glue on the can

Ribbon (optional)

Glitter (optional!)

Rick-rack or lace (optional)

Instructions:
Turn the coffee cans upside down, and spray them with paint, in a well ventilated area, following directions on the can.

If you want the can to look like a "bucket," you may take a long bit o' wire, and wrap it 'round a dowel for that "curly" wire look that's popular at the moment. Cut 2 small holes opposite each other, near the top rim of the can (a "die cut" will be neater and cleaner than just hammering a hole with a nail).
Attach each end of the wire "handle", using those 2 holes. It's probably not wise to really carry the can with the wire handle; it's mostly for the Country Look.

Cut the fabric motifs out, and glue them on the cans, as desired. (Have sufficient glue along the edge of the design to prevent fraying of fabric.)
Attach ribbon or rickrack, if desired.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
These can be used for anything from cookies and candy, to cards and pine cones or potpourri.

I was pokin' around a thrift shop today, and saw one already made up. It has that "cute, and not Rocket Science" quality that makes it a natural kid craft.

If I were doing these with young children, I'd probably just round up a bunch o'cans and "prep" them with paint (and possibly the hole punching) before calling the troops in to help. It sort of depends on the age of the kids. The primary fun for them, though, is the cutting and gluing.

If the fabric is a little limp, starch will perk it up and make it easier to cut the designs. New fabric is generally stiffer than fabric that's been laundered.

"Country colors" are very nice for this. The can I bought today is a sort of John Deere tractor green, with teddy bears wearing red sweaters, and red bow and holly motifs, too.