How to Make a Cardbord Gift Box
- 1). Cut the piece of cardboard so that it measures 60 inches by 24 inches. This will end up making a box that is 17-by-12-by-12 inches. Divide all the numbers in half if you need to make a smaller box.
- 2). Lay the cardboard on the ground in front of you so that it runs 60 inches from your left to your right. Starting from the right side of the cardboard, place the ruler edge at the top of the cardboard and mark a spot 6 inches down. Do this about every 6 inches going across the top. Do the exact same thing measuring up from the bottom. Then use the ruler to draw straight lines to connect the dots. You will end up with two long lines across the cardboard, each 6 inches from the edge and 12 inches apart.
- 3). Measure 12 inches to the left, starting from the right edge of the cardboard, and draw a vertical line there running from the top of the cardboard to the bottom. From that line, measure 17 inches to the left and make another vertical line. From there, measure 12 inches to the left and make another vertical line. Finally, measure 17 inches from the last line and make a fourth vertical line. The vertical lines on your cardboard should now make two 12-inch segments, two 17-inch segments, and one 2-inch segment on the far left side.
- 4). Cut 6-inch long, 1/4-inch slots where each vertical line intersects the outer edge of the cardboard. Start on the bottom right of the box, 12 inches in from the right edge. Cut along the vertical line until you reach the lower horizontal line. Then make another cut right next to it to make a 1/4-inch slot. Do the same thing for every vertical line, both on the top of the box and on the bottom. All the slots will only be 6 inches long, so there will still be a 12-inch wide stretch in the center of the cardboard that remains uncut. Instead of cutting the slot for the leftmost vertical line, simply remove the 6-inch high section between the leftmost vertical line and the nearest horizontal line. Do this for both the top and bottom to leave a 12-inch-long and 2-inch-wide flap.
- 5). Press the metal edge of the ruler into every line drawn on the cardboard. This will crease the cardboard and allow you to fold it properly.
- 6). Fold the 2-inch flap on the far left side of the cardboard up and place glue on the bottom side of it. Fold the cardboard on all of the vertical lines to make a box and press the flap with the glue on it against the edge of the box segment that was on the right side of the cardboard, before you folded it up. Your cardboard should now form a hollow box with four sides.
- 7). Fold down the flaps to create the bottom of the box. The box is symmetrical, so it doesn't matter which side you choose to be the bottom. Glue or tape the flaps into place. Keep the top flaps open until you put the gift inside, then close them and tape them down. If you don't want a gift box that closes, press the top flaps down so that they go inside the box to create an open gift box look.
- 8). Cover the entire gift box, inside and out, with decorative wrapping paper. Add ribbons and bows to complete the gift box.
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