How to Make a Gift Box: Easy Guide with Paper and Cardboard

How To Make A Gift Box: 4 Easy Steps To Follow
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Are you trying to find out “How to make a gift box at home?”. Making a present box from scratch is a fun and creative way to show someone how much they mean to you. Imagination and a few basic materials are all you need to make unique, delightful packaging for any event. No matter the occasion—a birthday, a holiday, or a special event—if you follow these easy steps, you can make packaging that no one else will have.

Tips for Choosing Your Gift Box Materials

How To Make A Gift Box - Materials Needed
Materials Needed

For most gift boxes, cardstock should be the primary material. It’s sturdy enough to hold most items and is compatible with most home printers for creating printable boxes. If you have thicker cardstock that won’t run through the printer, simply create a template first. Print your design onto a separate sheet of thin cardstock, then use this template to trace the design onto your thicker cardstock for a strong and personalized box.

While cardstock is ideal, there are options for smaller gift boxes that don’t require heavy-duty construction. Origami paper or even decorative gift wrapping paper can be used. However, it’s important to test these thinner materials first to ensure they can support the weight of your gift without tearing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Some Popular Gift Box Ideas

How to create a gift box out of cardboard with a lid

What you’ll need:

  • A4 sized cardboard
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Binder clips (optional)
Step 1 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 1 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 1: Grab your A4 cardboard and the ruler. On the long side, use the ruler to lightly draw a line across the bottom short edge. This line will determine the depth of your box.

Step 2 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 2 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 2: Turn the cardboard around and repeat this step to draw another line on the opposite short edge.

Step 3 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 3 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 3: Fold the card over the drawn lines to create the structure of the box.

Step 4 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 4 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 4: Draw lines vertically down the center of the cardboard and along the two outer folds you just created. These lines should all meet at the bottom edge of the cardboard.

Step 5 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 5 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 5: Carefully cut along these new lines, stopping just before the bottom horizontal line you drew in step 1.

Step 6 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 6 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 6: Bend the short flaps you just cut inwards, towards the center of the box. Apply glue along the edges of these flaps, then carefully press them down to stick to the sides of the box.

Step 7 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 7 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 7: You can use binder clips to hold the flaps in place while the glue dries. Repeat this process for the top of the box to create the lid.

Step 8 - How To Make A Gift Box Out Of Cardboard With Lid
Step 8 – How to make a gift box out of cardboard with lid

Step 8: Once the glue is set, remove the binder clips (if you used them) and admire your perfectly homemade cardboard gift box.

This cardboard gift box is suitable for both showcasing handcrafted goods and surprising your beloved. It offers a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to make your gifts truly stand out. For a rustic charm, you can decorate with twine or burlap ribbon.

How to make a gift box with paper

What you’ll need:

  • Wrapping paper (choose a sturdy design that folds well)
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Glue stick
Step 1 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 1 – How to make a paper gift box

Step 1: Measure and cut the wrapping paper into a square shape. The size of the square will determine the final size of your gift box.

Step 2 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 2 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 2: Fold the square paper in half to form a rectangle, then unfold. Fold it in half again along the other edge to create a cross or plus sign shape when unfolded.

Step 3 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 3 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 3: Bring each corner of the square to the center point of the cross, creating a smaller square.

Step 4 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 4 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 4: Fold the smaller square into three equal vertical sections, then unfold. Do the same horizontally to create a grid on the paper.

Step 5 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 5 – How to make a paper gift box

Step 5: Open up the folds from step 3. Take one corner and fold it inward, stopping at two-thirds of the way down the paper.

Step 6 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 6 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 6: Repeat the fold from step 5 with the opposite corner.

Step 7 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 7 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 7: Fold along the pentagon shape created by the previous steps to form one edge of the gift box.

Step 8 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 8 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 8: Repeat steps 5 and 6 on the opposite side to form the lid of the box.

Step 9 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 9 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 9: Apply glue to the flaps and press them down to secure them in place, ensuring the box holds its shape.

Step 10 - How To Make A Gift Box With Paper
Step 10 – How to make a gift box with paper

Step 10: Your gift box is now ready to be filled with a gift and given to someone special.

This paper gift box is ideal for small, lightweight items like jewelry or keychains. It’s one of the easiest box styles to create. Plus, the materials are likely already on hand at home or easily found at most stores, making it a practical choice for both novice and experienced creators.

Gift Box Ideas for Difference Occasions

Origami Gift Boxes

Homemade Gift Wrapping - Origami Gift Boxes
Origami Gift Box Ideas

Origami homemade gift wrapping boxes are simple to create and make a lovely gift idea. Start by searching for folding tutorials on the internet. These boxes can be customized with different paper designs, ideal for small presents.

Paper Bag Gift Wrapping

How To Make A Gift Box - Paper Bag Gift Wrapping
Paper Bag Gift

You can transform regular paper bags into unique gift boxes with straightforward folding and decorating methods. To enhance portability, add handles and personalize them with stickers, stamps, or washi tape. These environmentally friendly gift bags can easily hold even the biggest items.

->>> Read this article to make your own paper bag gift <Gift Wrapping Mastery: How to Make a Gift Bag Like a Pro>

Paper Tube Gift Boxes

How To Make A Gift Box - Paper Tube Gift Boxes
Paper Tube Gift Boxes

Create cylindrical gift boxes using recycled materials such as toilet paper rolls or cardboard tubes instead of purchasing new ones. Stuff the tubes with small gifts or candies once you’ve cut them to your desired height. Add some paint or lovely paper decorations.

Cardboard Pillow Boxes

Gift Packaging Ideas Homemade - Cardboard Pillow Boxes
Cardboard Pillow Boxes

With their versatility and ease of use, cardboard pillow boxes are perfect gift packaging ideas homemade. Add some paint, markers, or decorative paper on them. You can place jewelry, small trinkets, or treats in these boxes.

Fabric Gift Pouches

Create fabric bags to store small gifts like trinkets, toys, or accessories. Transform each of these bags by using discarded clothing or fabric scraps to make them unique. To enhance the appearance, consider incorporating buttons, beads, or stitching.

DIY Christmas Crackers

How To Make A Gift Box - Diy Christmas Crackers
DIY Christmas Crackers

Why bother with store-bought Christmas crackers when you can easily make your own? Creating your own crackers with a printable design is enjoyable and allows you to personalize gifts for your guests. Let’s aim for unique and meaningful gifts this holiday season instead of the usual plastic items.

Making a present box is more than just wrapping; it’s a way to show how much you care. Think about the happiness you’ll feel when the lucky recipient opens your gift. Let your imagination go wild and make something beautiful out of every box. Giving your gifts with personality and feeling is as easy as learning how to make a gift box. With each unveiling, you can guarantee that the recipient will respond with pure gratitude.

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