In all honesty, I am not a gift sack girl. Sure they are convenient and come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but they add to the overall cost of the gift. A $5 gift sack makes a $20 gift easily go to $30 with the gift sack plus needed tissue paper and a card.
I am a package girl.
.jpg "package")
There is something about a beautiful package that makes my heart thump and the anticipation grow inside me. Stores just don’t give out boxes anymore for wrapping gifts. I am sure they are trying to cut costs. I reuse boxes that have been saved year after year. Lately I have been making my own boxes from scrap paper. That led me to think about using my gift boxes in other ways.
Take a peek --
With both of my children’s and my dad’s May birthdays, we needed something to hang on the front door of our home so all the passersby would know a birthday was happening at our home. I created a birthday wreath using boxes. I simply made my colorful, small boxes and placed them in a circular shape. Adding a few celebration embellishments and old party favors was just the bedazzle I needed. I will reuse the wreath year after year which causes my expenditure to go down and down. Think about placing a photo of the birthday honoree in the center of the wreath. That would personalize it even more.
I use boxes to store my supplies. Glitter, ink, and ribbon store neatly in these cute boxes. Each box costs 75 cents to make. You can’t beat the price, and making your own storage allows you to match your containers with your own personal style. It is also a good way to use up extra paper you have been saving for a while. Don’t forget to label the boxes. If the grandchildren are coming for a visit, store your crayons, markers, and colored pencils in these easy-to-make boxes. They just might be the perfect size for tidying up all the Lego pieces.
A collage box was something I was envisioning when I made boxes. I kept thinking if I cut a hole in the box like a window, I could create a collage or a winter scene inside of my paper box. It could hold a paper nest in the spring or a spooky trick-or-treat diorama for fall. It might even hold a collection of pieces from my past -- like an old photo, my dad’s baby shoe, or a handkerchief of my grandma’s. The ideas are endless once you cut a hole in the lid of your box.
With a simple paper or ribbon handle, your box becomes a basket. Give the gift of candy in a paper box. Make it look like flowers by simply punching petals from patterned paper. It is also a clever way to package a movie gift card along with a couple bags of microwave popcorn.
Add wheels to the box and it is no longer a box with a lid. It is a super, snazzy car, truck, or amazing vehicle. For hours of enjoyment this summer, craft up some boxes for play. Create vehicles with buttons or milk jug lids and city buildings by stacking boxes. Make homes and roads to connect all your box buildings. Let your summer sizzle with crafting fun!
Don’t get boxed in with your ideas.
With a piece of paper and a little imagination, you can create many uses for an ordinary box.
Take it to the next level and make it extraordinary!
If you love using the Scoring Board to create boxes, here is a great You Tube Video!
~Miss Nifty Thrifty (Studio Pink)
.jpg "nf")