About bucket alternatives, something I have bought (but not yet assembled) is a drybox from a store that carries outdoor camping/hunting equipment. Try this link to the manufacturer's website to see an example: http://actionp.thomaswebs.net/catalog/18.html
This website calls them "sport utility boxes." Here is where their product can be bought: http://www.actionp.com/WheretoBuyActionProducts.html
Mine cost me about $16.

Things I like about dryboxes are:
1. the dimensions are more rectangular so the boxes don't stick out so far
2. the lid is on a hinge, has a gasket making a watertight seal, and has a latch which will even take a lock if you like
3. the ones I found come in olive drab (green), white, or orange. By the way, the label on the side in the picture below peels off.

Here's another example of one, this one from Northern Tool: