Don’t Trash Your Stash! - Reuse Greeting Cards to Make Gift Boxes
Since it’s getting close to the gift-giving holiday, I thought I would share a cute craft courtesy of one of my local clients: how to create small gift boxes from greeting cards. To give credit where credit is due, my client told me she got this from her mother, who got it through someone at her church. So, the originator of this craft is unknown, but “thank you” to whoever it is, because it is super cute! This is a great way to give greeting cards one more life before being recycled, since it doesn’t matter if there is writing on the inside.
Step 1: Open the card and cut on the creased fold line, separating the front of the card from the back.
Step 2: Shorten the length of the back section of the card by cutting 1/8” off each end.
Step 3: Mark the center on the inside of each side of the card with a small X by placing a straight-edge diagonally from corner to corner.
Step 4: Fold each card piece to the center mark on all four sides and crease well (folding toward the inside of the card piece).
Step 5: On each card piece, cut along the crease lines on the long ends of the piece. Cut parallel to the length of the card piece, and stop where the width crease crosses the length crease. There will be a total of four cuts on each card piece.
Step 6: Create each side of the box. On each card piece, fold up the long ends, fold in the two cut sections, and then fold up the end piece. The extra length on the end piece gets folded down into the inside of the box side. If needed, hold this in place with a small piece of tape.
Step 7: Line the bottom half of the box with tissue paper, shredded paper or whatever lining you prefer.
Step 8: Place the lid of the box on top. As you can see, the image on the card will wrap down the sides to give a complete look.
With experience, you will be able to tell what part of the design on the card front will be centered on top of the gift box.
This will work with any size card, but remember the box will always be half the length and width of the original card size.
If desired, the card can be trimmed before folding and cutting to make the image on the card be centered on the box. Cards for any occasion make attractive gift boxes they can be matched to the event: birthdays, any holiday, for thank-you gifts, etc.
You can also use larger card stock and decorate plain card stock or paperboard with drawings, decoupage, painting, etc.
From an organizing standpoint, this means you no longer need to keep that collection of small gift boxes stashed in your closet in case you need one for a small gift. Now you can make one whenever you need it!
Use your imagination and have fun!
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