Christmas will never be complete without presents, and creating special boxes from old greeting cards could be a fun and creative way of showing our loved ones how much they mean to us. These one of a kind boxes are also an excellent activity for children and anyone who wishes to recycle.

Materials Needed

Old greeting cards, Ruler, Scissors, Adhesive tape. Stapler, Pencil, Glue

Simple Steps in Creating a Gift Box


Step 1 Create the box pattern

Measure the present's dimensions, to get the ideal length, width and height of the box.


Step 2 Create one continuous surface

Ordinary greeting cards have a limited surface area and multiple greeting cards must be used to create even one small gift box. The total number of cards may depend on how big the present is.

To create one continuous surface, place the greeting cards side by side. Make sure that all the outer and more colorful portion of the greeting cards faces one side, and the inner side which usually contains the greeting cards message on the other. Use tape to temporarily attach the greeting cards together, creating one continuous surface.


Step 3 Marking the box's sides, base and cover measurements

The Base

Mark the desired measurements into the greeting cards. Be careful to make the marks in the inner portion of the cards making a square in the process. Extend the square by one inch on all sides, mark this extended portion, this will be used to join the sides of the box.

The base acts as a support for the present and be built more sturdily. You could use greeting cards which are thicker to provide ample support for the gift. If a thicker greeting card is not available, a good way of making the base sturdy is to create another base to double the base's thickness.

The Sides

Mark the side's measurements into the greeting cards. Extend the sides measurements by an inch and mark these extensions clearly. Repeat this process 4 times to form the 4 sides of the box.

The Top

Mark the top's measurement into the greeting cards and extend the sides measurements by 2 inches. You may want to choose cards hich have the brightest colors to make the top of the box more attractive.


Step 4 Cutting out the sides

Secure the greeting cards using the tape or staplers, place the tapes inside the inner portion to leave the outer box clear. Using another piece of paper and gluing it over the inner portion of the box is also a good ay of securing the greeting cards in place. Cut out the sides by following the markings. A square shape is then formed after cutting the greeting cards.


Step 5 Joining the sides of the box

Fold the inner lines leaving an extension. Attach the sides of the box to the base using the extensions. Join the extensions securely using glue and staples.


Step 6 Creating the box cover

Be sure to follow the cuts in Step 4. Pull the extensions downward in the outline of the covers edges. The extensions of the top cover are noticeably larger than the extensions of the sides and base, this gives the normal appearance of the box covers.

You would also notice that the edges of the extensions go beyond the length of the sides. Insert them into the next extension, this serves as an anchor holding the extensions firmly in place. Use a combination of staples and glues to hold them tightly in place.