If a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or other large gathering is in your future and items such as party favors are on your list of things to buy, save yourself a few dollars, and make your own. They are both simple to do and cost efficient. In addition, with the wide variety of colors and finishes of card stock available, you will be able to make them to fit any occasion imaginable.
Computer Generated
Several computer programs have templates specifically for small boxes. After selecting the program and template that will suit your project, print directly onto cardstock, cut out, and assemble. Example: Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 9 has a Create a Project link on their opening page. From there, click on Photo Crafts. From Photo Crafts, click on Other Crafts, two headings exist here, the second one being Gift Boxes. Highlight the gift box heading and select Square Gift Box, select Open. Once you have selected to open the project you will be offered several choices. Do not select any of them, simply select Next and Done. The gift box template will now be open. Highlight the gift box design and shrink by dragging the corner until the box size will allow four to fit on a page. Select copy and paste three times, so you now have four boxes on the one sheet, print. Directions for assembling the boxes are available on the same page as the original template. Print one copy. If the pattern is not to your liking, simply print in black and white or other light color and assemble inside out. You can also print one and cut out to make your own template. Trace by hand directly onto cardstock of your choosing and cut out.
Plastic Templates and other Design Options
With the popularity of crafts such as scrap booking and other handcrafts on the rise, plastic templates to trace a box outline by hand directly onto your cardstock are available. Look at your favorite craft or scrapbook store. If you live in an area with a limited choice of stores, search online for similar products or for software or books that contain templates.
Freehand Templates
A simple box template can be constructed freehand. Draw a heart shape and duplicate. With a paper punch, make a series of holes around the outer edge of two hearts at a time. Weave ribbon through holes; fill with contents before closing with knot or simple bow. This can be recreated in just about any block style shape imaginable, a simple train or cowboy hat for a boy�s birthday party, a bell shape for an anniversary, etc.
For a basic box shape, make two rectangle shapes with rounded ends each approximately five inches long by one and a half inches wide. Overlap two rectangles so they form X. Glue together at centers. Let dry. Fold up each end to form simple box shape. Punch holes in all four top pieces and tie closed with ribbon.
Decorating in Style
Once you have cut out your templates, but before you assemble them, have some fun with the decorations:
- For a stylish look, purchase a gold or silver inkpad along with a stamper such as wedding bells or the bride and grooms first initials.
- For a bit of fun, use a stamp that depicts a simple design such as squiggles, covering each box as much as desired.
- If you are following a strict color theme, look for an inkpad to match. Stamp your boxes before cutting them, out. To finish them in style, tie each shut with a ribbon that matches the wedding colors.
Whatever style box you use, fill each with a few small tokens or candies such as mints.
Close each with ribbon or stickers that fit the occasion.
