Gift boxes

Gift box made from facial tissue box covered with twisted paper ribbon and lined with fabric.

Customizing a gift box to go with a special gift is like giving two gifts in one. It tells the recipient that they are extra special. They are important.

One gift box we like to make is using a facial tissue box. We cover it with twisted paper ribbon and line it with fabric. Any size tissue box can be used but the larger ones are what we use most.

We started making these for fundraisers to raise money for charity groups back in the 1990s. Since then we have made many to add a personal touch to gifts we give. Another version we have seen were done around a paper grocery bag. Also the top can be left off and a handle added.

Here is a list of materials used to make the gift box pictured with this article.

Two boxes the same size plus one extra bottom.

Ten yards of twisted paper ribbon.

About one half yard fabric for the lining.

One yard gathered lace to go around the lid.

One and a half yards of quarter-inch wide ribbon to go around inside edges.

Also a variety of ribbons, silk flowers or other ordainments are used in decorating the box top.

Hot glue gun or craft glue is used to assemble the box.

To cut the right lengths of twisted paper ribbon hold one end and wrap it around the box. First go around all four sides. Cut three to this length. Next go from front top edge, around the bottom and up to the back top edge and add one inch. Cut six this length. Then go from left top side edge, around the bottom and up to the top right plus one inch. Cut three this length.

For the lid cut three that measure the long way plus one inch. Then cut six for the short way plus one inch. The plus one inch is so there is a half inch on each side to fold under. Untwist all cut pieces.

Cut the top off the first box and discard. Weave the paper ribbon pieces starting at the bottom. Then weave in the sides. Glue edges of ribbon over the top edge of the box.

Weave the lid pieces and glue edges to the underside. Glue gathered lace trim just under the edges.

Cut apart the sides, bottom and top of the second box. Discard the top. From a third box cut off the bottom and discard the rest. These pieces are used to line the box and make the lid.

Set aside one bottom to make the top of the lid. The rest of the pieces are laid on the fabric. Cut one piece of fabric for each piece with about one-inch seams on all sides. Wrap the seams to the back of the pieces and glue in place.

Cut one more piece of fabric to lie on the inside bottom of the box and add one inch to each side so the edges will go up the sides when placed in the box. Notch corners of fabric to ease fitting. After bottom piece is placed glue the sides in.

Glue the covered box bottom to the bottom of the lid. Cut a hinge from fabric and sandwich between top and lining and box back and lining.

Decorate the top with ribbons, silk flowers or other desired trims. Finish off inside edges with ribbon if desired.

Every box we make is different. There is no right way or wrong way to decorate a box. We hope this sparks some ideas for many gift boxes to come.