Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Tiny Gift Boxes

These are cute and easy and are the perfect size for a tiny tree ornament or a chocolate truffle.



1. Take a Christmas card and cut along the spine to make two rectangular halves.

2. Cut each half along one edge to make a square.

For the box top
3. On the half that was the front of the card and using a ruler, draw light pencil lines diagonally from point to point on what was once the inside of the card (see picture #1).

4. Fold the four corners in toward the center, the points meeting at the crossing of the two pencil lines (see picture #2).

5. Fold the left and right straight edges in toward the center, each edge about 1/8" short of the center point. It doesn't matter which sides you designate as left and right (see picture #3).

6. Unfold the straight edges and repeat step 5 with the top and bottom straight edges, folding them now into the center, but also 1/8" short on the center on either edge.

7. Unfold the entire piece of paper and lay it on its back.

8. Along the fold lines for guides, make four cuts, two on each side (see picture #4).

9. Refold the points in toward the center, tucking in the sides (see picture #5).

10. If necessary, glue the points down to the inside of the lid to keep things in place.

For the box bottom
Repeat steps 3-10 using the other half of the card, varying only in that when you fold left, right, top and bottom straight edges in toward the center (steps 4 and 5), make sure the edges meet directly over the center point rather than 1/8" short of it. This will make the bottom ever-so-slightly smaller than the lid, allowing them to fit together more comfortably.

Check in with Rocks in My Dryer every Wednesday for other good tips.




17 comments:

Domestic Slackstress said...

How do you find the time? Goodness. These are too cute. Thanks for checking in regularly. I've been slacking on visiting others' blogs lately. Keep the clever ideas coming.

Rae said...

Great idea! They're so cute. I can't wait to make some. Thanks for sharing =) Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

That is such an awesome way to recycle cards!

Anonymous said...

That is such a fabulous idea!

Stephanie Appleton said...

adorable! You are too crafty for me! :)

J said...

Boy, that looks kind of complicated! I know someone who makes a slightly bigger version from pretty pictures on old calendars. :)

Anonymous said...

These are adorable you have tons of great ideas!

Anonymous said...

You are a talented lady.

Scribbit said...

Also, remember you can click on a picture to enlarge it to full-screen size if you have a hard time seeing in miniature.

Anonymous said...

Great idea. They would make perfect favor boxes!

Marie N. said...

This is a nice way to recycle cards. Currently I cut out pictures from cards taht will make gift tags for next year's gifts. But not all cards have a section that can convert to gift tag. Those that have a nice picture taking up the entire paper will make lovely boxes.

Shalee said...

My daughter LOVES to make thse for me. And to be honest, I love receiving them.

Lauri said...

Very cute! Thanks for the fun ideas!

Anonymous said...

Aw, those are too cute. I used to make them a long time ago, but forgot how. Thanks for the reminder. Oh, and thanks for popping in to say hello over at my place...

Kristin said...

That is the cutest little box I have ever seen... now, if only someone would tuck something shiny in it for me!

Pieces said...

Wow, I hadn't seen this before. I'm glad that I have a stack of old Christmas cards to try it with!

Nicole said...

Thank you so much for this!!! I made little cinnamon ornaments and I needed some gift boxes...perfecto!