How to Make a Gift Box: The Perfect Size For The Perfect Gift!

Giving personalised gifts is a fantastic way to show you care – but what if you knew how to make a gift box as well as a gorgeous gift to go inside, so you could truly wow friends and family on those special occasions? The lovely Sue Hardman shows you how, right here! This step-by-step project takes you through exactly how to cut, score and fold your cardstock, then assemble it to produce a beautifully decorated gift box with lid. Keen to give it a try? You could create more than one, and use them to store crafty essentials in too! Read Sue’s instructions below, and discover exactly how to make a gift box or two in no time at all…

My friend asked me to create a box to fit mugs inside… more specifically, to fit those personalised mugs you can purchase from the photo shops! She’d had some printed herself which she wanted to gift, so I came up with this design, which uses very little cardstock, but is a substantial size. It’s quick to make, sturdy and stable, offers plenty of flexibility when it come to how you decorate it, doesn’t require any die cutting… and yes – a mug does fit inside!

You Will Need:

• 3 A4 sheets of Kraft Cardstock
• 1 A4 sheet of Coloured Cardstock
• Paper Trimmer – I used the Cutterpilla Crop
• Double sided tape and/or glue
• Score Board – I used my Hunkydory board, which features box base and box lid lines
• Scissors
• Corner Punch and Hole Punch (optional)
• Twine or ribbon
• Embellishments from your crafty stash

How to Make a Gift Box Step-by-Step Instructions:

Take 3 A4 sheets of Kraft card, and for the box base, cut 2 pieces at 6 x 8.5″, then for the box lid, cut 1 piece at 5.5 x 7.5″

Step 1: Scoring and Folding the Base Sections

Working on the box base on your score board, place your cardstock horizontally on the board and score at 3” and 8”. Next, rotate your cardstock so it sits vertically on your score board, and score at 4”. Bend on all the score lines, and cut as indicated below. Repeat this on the 2nd base section.

Step 2: Scoring the Lid Section

Working on the box lid on your score board, place your cardstock onto the board and score at 1.1” on all sides.

Bend and score on all the score lines, and cut into each corner of the tabs as show in the picture below.

Using PVA glue, stick all the corners together, ensuring all the corners line up.

Step 3: Putting the Box Base Together

Run red liner tape down each of the narrow edges of the cardstock.

Attach one box base section to one narrow section of the other box base.

Join at the other side.

Attach red liner tape, or use PVA glue, as shown on the base sections. Stick the two longer sections together first, and then the two shorter sections.

You now have a box base and lid, ready to decorate!

Step 4: Decorating the Box

I have decorated with panels created using coloured card. For the box, cut two panels at 4 ¾ x 3 ¾” and two panels at 3 ¾ x 2 ¾”, and stick them to the sides of the box. These measurements will allow for a nice mat and layer effect, and also add strength.

To cover up the join in the base of the box, cut one piece of coloured cardstock measuring 5 x 3”, and stick inside the bottom of the box. I used a contrasting colour to add interest inside the box!

For the lid, cut one piece of coloured cardstock at 5 x 3”, and one piece of Kraft cardstock at 4 ¾ x 2 ¾”. Attach the coloured card to the lid and then the Kraft to the coloured card, creating a mat and layer effect for a truly gorgeous finish!

To create the tag, cut a rectangle in either coloured or Kraft card, measuring 1 ½ x 3”. Round off the corners if you have a corner rounder, and punch a hole in the top so you can thread twine or ribbon through.

Use embellishments in your stash to decorate the top of the box, and then secure the tag in place. Your beautiful box is now finished!

Keen to get started? Stock up on quality card now, and start creating!

What are you going to fill yours with?