Holiday Craft Project: Gift Boxes Made from Used Greeting Cards
A great way of wrapping a gift is to make a special box for the item, and what better way than to make a gift using recycled materials? In this guide you’ll learn how to make fantastic gift boxes out of old greeting cards.
Gift box from recycled greeting cards. (© Robert Schroeder)
These decorative little boxes made from old greeting cards are perfect for little gifts like jewelry or rare coins or gems.
Level: Moderately easy
Time frame: Half hour
What you need:
- One greeting card per box
- Scissors
- Ruler and pencil
- Cut the card in two along the folded edge.
- Cut the front of the card into a perfect square using a ruler.
- Cut the back of the card into the same shape but trim approximately ⅛ inch off two sides.
- Draw an “X” on the nonpicture side. Fold ends to the center.
- After all ends are folded to center, fold each side horizontal to the center line and then unfold to crease top of box.
- Cut along the vertical creases on two opposing sides to the point until it would start to cut another side.
- Unfold except for two corners. Unfold long arms and fold up to meet and form the box shape.
- Fold the uncut portion to cover and then meet the tips in the middle.
- Repeat steps 4 through 8 for the back of the card. You should now have a colorful top and plain bottom to make a small gift box.
How to fold greeting cards into a gift box. (© Melissa LeBon)
Another great idea to reuse gift cards is to decoupage them onto wood or cardboard you find at a craft store. A little paint with stencils or stamps will give them a finished touch. Have fun, and happy crafting!
From The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Making Great Gifts by Marilee LeBon
