Heart Gift Box
This budget-friendly Heart Gift Box is made using recycled cardboard. It's the perfect surprise gift idea!
Heart Gift Box
This budget-friendly Heart Gift Box is made using recycled cardboard. It's the perfect surprise gift idea!
Materials Needed
1 piece of cardboard (recycled delivery box works great)
Hot glue gun
Scissors or craft knife
Pencil
Ruler
Tissue paper (any color – I used pink)
Cardstock (I used pink again for contrast)
Goodies to fill the box
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cut Your Heart Base
Draw and cut out a 4 × 4 (10.2 × 10.2 cm) inch heart shape from cardboard. (I traced mine onto an Amazon box — any delivery box will work!)
2. Make the Box Walls
Cut a 2 × 15 inch (5 × 38 cm) strip of cardboard. (You may not need the full 15 inches — trim off the excess once it’s wrapped.)
Carefully hot glue the strip around the edge of the heart shape to form the box walls. Press and hold as you go around curves. Trim off any extra cardboard once you reach the end.
3. Filling the Box
Before you glue down the top layer(s) of tissue paper, fill your heart box with treats, notes, or a small gift. Once it’s sealed, the person receiving it will break through the tissue paper to open it — like a surprise reveal!
4. Cover With Tissue Paper
Cut out two 6 × 6 inch (15.2 × 15.2 cm) heart shapes from tissue paper. (I used pink, but feel free to match your theme!)
Glue the tissue paper on top of the box, one layer at a time, to reinforce it.
Make sure it’s smooth and well-secured along the edges.
5. Cover the Sides With Cardstock
Cut two 2¼ × 7¼ inch (5.7 × 18.4 cm) strips of cardstock. (I used pink to match the tissue paper.)
Glue one strip to each side of the heart box. These will cover the exposed cardboard and the edge of the tissue paper.
Make small cuts near the bottom of the cardstock strips so they fold under neatly.
Glue those folded ends to the bottom edge of the box.
5. Finish the Bottom
Cut a 4 × 4 inch (10.2 × 10.2 cm) cardstock heart and glue it to the bottom of the box.
This hides the cardboard completely and gives it a polished look.
Ideas to Customize
Use patterned tissue paper or add a sticker on top for a hint of what’s inside.
Personalize it with the recipient’s name in vinyl or markers.
Make it part of a larger gift box or explosion box for a layered surprise!
Can I Use Different Sizes?
Yes! I used a 4 × 4 inch (10.2 × 10.2 cm) heart, but you can scale it up or down depending on what you want to put inside — just adjust the side strip length accordingly.
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