![[Valid RSS]](/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
I was teaching a card-making class over the weekend, and the nicest woman ever said to me, “Have you tried making boxes from your old cards?”
Well, I hadn’t, so she showed me the coolest method for converting an old greeting card into a spanking little gift box. And not only that, at the next day’s class, she brought me a pile of blank greeting cards, so I could show this to the next Church of Craft meeting. Unbelievably kind! Thank you so much, Deanna.
So, this technique is so exciting, I had to share. You may not be ready to look at Christmas stuff yet, so just imagine a Halloween card in its place if you need to.
Start with a greeting card. If there’s writing on the inside, you can glue-stick some paper over it to cover it up.
Cut the card in half along the fold.
Take one half of the card. Trim about 1/8″ off of one long side, and one short side. (If you have a paper cutter, of course, use that.) You do this so that the bottom of your box will be slightly smaller than the top, and they’ll fit nicely together.
Now, make a score 1″ from the edge on all four sides. (If you have a paper cutter with a scoring blade this is easy. If not, you can use a ruler and a bone-folder, or even a ruler and an empty ball-point pen to make the scoring.)
I’ve marked my score lines in heavy pencil here, so they’re visible in this tutorial. You probably won’t want to make any marks on your card.
Fold the card along all four score-lines. Then, score and fold the other half of the card in the same way.
Now, at the shorter ends of each piece of card, you’re going to make two small cuts, where the two folds intersect. The second photo explains this better than I’m doing.
Put a little tab of double-stick tape on each of the resulting flaps.
Now, fold up the long sides of your box, and fold these tabs in as shown.
. . . And fold up that end flap and press the tape to stick it in place.
Make the other half of the box in the same way, and presto!
I can see these for little gifties, but also for cool holiday-dinner favors/placecards. And keep in mind that you can vary the size and depth of these by simply changing the location of your scores. You can score 2″ from each edge, for example, and get a much smaller, deeper box – suitable for a gift of homemade truffles.
Looking for more paper tutorials?
I have lots! Such as:
How to turn a cardboard box into a splendid notepad
How to turn a paperback book into a picture frame
How to turn an old cardboard mailer into a To-Do List organizer
Thanks, I’ve been searching for something like this. It’s perfect for the small gifts kids like to gife to teachers etc. Well done!
OMG that’s is really good!!!! and it is a great idea!!!! i am going to use it no doubt!!!
OMG that’s is really good!!!! and it is a great idea!!!! i am going to use it no doubt!!!
I am looking for a box my grandma use to make back in the 50′s. Top & bottom was hexagon shape, sideswere ( ) like that, they were crocheted together . She use to put hankies in it that she croched the edges. And give them as gifts. Let me know if you find any.
I am looking for a box my grandma use to make back in the 50′s. Top & bottom was hexagon shape, sideswere ( ) like that, they were crocheted together . She use to put hankies in it that she croched the edges. And give them as gifts. Let me know if you find any.
Hi Shirley did you ever find out how to do this?
I am looking for a box my grandma use to make back in the 50?s. Top & bottom was hexagon shape, sideswere ( ) like that, they were crocheted together . She use to put hankies in it that she croched the edges. And give them as gifts.
[...] Transform an old card into a new gift box with this tutorial from Crafty Pod. All you need is a card, a pair of scissors and some double-stick tape! [...]
This is great! Very simple to follow the directions. How do you hide the signature though? I did one, and the signature is right there in the bottom of the box. Don’t really like that. How can it be hidden?
This is great! Very simple to follow the directions. How do you hide the signature though? I did one, and the signature is right there in the bottom of the box. Don’t really like that. How can it be hidden?
Wow, thank you so much for this fab idea! Im getting Married and will be getting all the girls together to help make these boxes as my favor boxes for our Guests filled with wee chocolates! You are a real life saver! Much appreciated! x
Wow, thank you so much for this fab idea! Im getting Married and will be getting all the girls together to help make these boxes as my favor boxes for our Guests filled with wee chocolates! You are a real life saver! Much appreciated! x
Thank you for this tutorial, was really useful and the easiest to follow!
Thank you for this tutorial, was really useful and the easiest to follow!
this box is so easy and helpful thank u
this box is so easy and helpful thank u
[...] how to give old greeting cards new life as a small gift box. Cut the front side of the card into strips and use them to hold your place in your latest reads. [...]
I absolutely love this! I can’t tell you how many times I wished I could think of something useful to make with greeting cards. Thank you!
I absolutely love this! I can’t tell you how many times I wished I could think of something useful to make with greeting cards. Thank you!
[...] Recycled greeting card box [...]
My mum used to teach handicapped people all sorts of crafts, boxes being one of them and as children, my siblings and I learnt as well. Ufortunately, I seem to have lost the skill not having done it for so long and sadly my mother is no longer with us. The lids on the boxes sorted fanned round on the top and I cannot think how this was done and wondered if there was any possibilty that anyone reading this could enlighten me
Sorry, Sue – I have not seen this technique myself. Maybe someone else will have details…
My mum used to teach handicapped people all sorts of crafts, boxes being one of them and as children, my siblings and I learnt as well. Ufortunately, I seem to have lost the skill not having done it for so long and sadly my mother is no longer with us. The lids on the boxes sorted fanned round on the top and I cannot think how this was done and wondered if there was any possibilty that anyone reading this could enlighten me
Sorry, Sue – I have not seen this technique myself. Maybe someone else will have details…
LOVING THIS!!!!!! I stay home with our baby daughter now and I need to be as frugal as frugal gets! I'm really digging this idea THANKS!!!!
This is a great idea. I have been saving hundreds of old greeting cards for years and now I have a way of using them (If I have the time!)
I’ve always wanted to know how to make these boxes. They make great fudge boxes.
LOVE IT!
I love this!
A girl I worked with showed me how to do this, I love it. She makes them all year long and then at Christmas she gathers them puts a couple of pieces of candy in them and takes them to different nursing homes. Such a neat idea and kids can help also.
Sorry. Not that crafty. But for those like me, I re-use Christmas cards as present tags. I may cut them down to size, or just use the portions I want . . . but they make excellent tags for next years gifts!
this is excellent and so easy, i have yet to try it but you have explained it so well, i’m just about to try it out… its going to be so much easier and cheaper than having to buy them cos sometimes you cant get the right size or style and it recycles old cards, thank you ever so much for passing this on to others, i for one am extremely greatfull, with only a few days to go before Christmas this is excellent to do with the children i look after once they have made their cookies and fudge for family members as presents they can then put them in their own little hand made boxes thank you a thousand times over
Amazing tutorial. I’ve made these before, but you explain it far better than I ever could have. :)
This was just perfect! My daughter, 6, bought a cute, little necklace for her friend for her birthday, but I didn’t have a box. Because I’m not much of a card person, I ended up using two large index cards for the box and wrapped it in wrapping paper. It worked just fine for the purpose intended, and I didn’t have to run out into town with 3 young children to find just a box! Thank you!
lovely….many thanks!
wow it is simple & nice
hay da box was relly awesome lol home work club thanks lol ily
Wow that is amazing, I am going to get my kids trying out making these after the festive season, it will keep them entertained for hours.
To hide the printed/handwritten message inside the card, lightly spray paint the inside of greeting card and allow to dry before making the box. Gold or silver looks nice inside the finished box. Spray paint can also cover unwanted words on the front of the cards.
Thank you for the great instructions. I received one from a friend years ago and have always wanted to try and make them. Your directions make this easy for me.
Thanks for sharing,
Anne
Thanks for the great instructions. I used to make these boxes years ago but I forgot how to do it! They’re great in a craft fair, too. I used to sell them for a quarter a piece. Linda
the best ever
I’ve been struggling all afternoon to try to make some gift boxes and then I came across your demo and it is wonderful!! I have made three pretty boxes already and I am so pleased with them! Thank you very much!
Hi Diane.. I absolutely LOVE this idea… I was looking online for how to make little boxes to fit my little Christmas pamper kits in and your tutorial is perfect…
not only is it quick and easy, its also recycling which I love!!
Thanx!!
I use small animals, people, etc. cut from cards to glue into the bottom box in a 3-d effect to make scenes, etc. the bottom box is made of a card with a scene on it for background. kids love them, so do adults!!
I did this for some gift cards this morning before the family woke up. It was so easy! Thanks for posting this wonderful simple box idea and Merry Christmas!
I have used last years Christmas card with the writing on the inside and given back to the sender with candy or a special treat. Makes the box even more personal.
thank you for posting! it was just what i needed…i want to make prayer request boxes for the ladies at my church and in my family
nice
AWESOME! It looks so easy, im gonna make it for my mum for christmas!! thnx
Was looking for something for my students to put their reward tickets in, they love these! Always looking for something to make the students feel special, this was perfect!
Help! I want to print these instructions!! Not user friendly for me?!
Can you give me some more details as to what happens when you try to print these, Linda? I’d be able to help you better if I had more specifics. Are you getting some kind of error message? And please tell me what web browser you’re using.