Learn how to make gift boxes for treats, tumblers, and other small gifts!
If you’re looking for a unique and fun way to wrap gifts this holiday season, why not try making your own gift boxes? You can design and cut out custom gift boxes that are sure to impress everyone. I’ve started you out with a collection of new gift boxes for you to make! These gift boxes are perfect for giving a personalized gift to your loved ones. I’ve included different gift box designs including a tumbler, treat, and box with top design. I’m sure you’ll find a DIY gift box that is just perfect for the gift you’re giving away.
Watch the full step-by-step video showing you exactly how to create your own gift boxes with a VIP pass to Maker Academy Weekend 2022!
To help you assemble these gift boxes, I’ve also included PDF reference sheets with labels for each box and their parts! It’s a good idea to have it up on your screen or to print a copy for the box you’re assembling. This collection includes a Baked Goods Box, a Box with a Top, and a Tumbler Box. Each box has a version with Score lines that requires a scoring wheel or stylus and a no-score version with dashed cut lines that only needs the Fine-Point Blade.
If you’d like to customize your boxes more, check out the bonus file in the SVG folder. It has a scalloped edge for the Box with a Top, a snowflake, cookie shapes, and “enjoy” and “season’s eatings” in a pretty script font. You can cut these flourishes out of fancy cardstock or vinyl and stick them on, or slice them from the boxes themselves. Get creative!
Here’s a supply list of what you need to make gift boxes! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials to Make Gift Boxes
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project
- 12″ x 18″ 65 lb Cardstock – I used Red (or Red), Teal, Golden Yellow Cardstock
- 12″ x 12″ 80 lb Patterned Cardstock
- 12″ x 12″ Medium Weight Chipboard
- 12″ x 12″ Cricut Acetate Sheets
- Wax Paper Sheets (Optional to hold cookies) -OR-
- Parchment Paper (Optional)
- Cricut Green Standard Grip Mat 12″ x 24″ -OR- Cricut Green Standard Green Mat 12″ x 12
- Cricut Purple Strong Grip Mat 12″ x 12″ (if using chipboard)
- Cricut Scoring Stylus or Cricut Scoring Wheel for score line versions
- Cricut Deep Cut Blade (if using chipboard)
- Craft Glue — I used Bearly Art Precision Glue
- Cricut Scraper
- Spatula
- Bone Folder
- Binder Clips (optional, to keep corners together during gluing)
- Cricut Brayer
- Scissors – to cut the optional wax or parchment paper
- A method to cut your materials — I used the amazing Cricut Maker 3 but you can also use the Cricut Maker, or Cricut Explore Series
- Design #426 — My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library (get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Make Gift Boxes
The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to create custom gift boxes debuted during Maker Academy Weekend 2022, held online November 3-6, 2022. Get an on-demand pass to watch all 20+ workshops, each with a printable handbook, transcript, audio files, design files, and support with a VIP pass below:
I LOVE making boxes! I have quite a few gift box tutorials on my blog. Why so many? If you’re anything like me, you’re always struggling to find the perfect box for a gift. But thanks to the Cricut, I can now make any box I want, just how I want it AND it can be perfectly sized for my gift! And now you can do this, too, with my gift box templates!
Answers to Your Questions About How to Make Gift Boxes
Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?
This is a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2022 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video wpremiered during the event November 3-6, 2022 — specifically, this tutorial video was available to watch for free for 24 hours beginning November 4 at 11:00 am ET! You can get access to the full video, the printable handbook that details how to make this beautiful project if you get a VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend 2022, which comes with other perks and bonuses, too!
What material is used to make gift boxes?
The best gift box materials are rigid, such as cardstock plus something like chipboard.
Can I make a gift box without a cutting machine?
Yes, and I’ve included free printable PDF templates to help you. If you want to get even simpler, here are instructions for folding a small gift box:
- Start by folding a sheet of cardstock in half lengthwise.
- Once you have a long, narrow rectangle, fold it in half again so that you have a square.
- Take the top corner of your square and fold it down so that it meets the bottom edge of your square. Your paper should now be divided into two rectangles with a triangle flap on one side.
- Take the top corner and fold it up so that it meets the bottom edge of your square. You should now have two triangles flaps on either side of your paper.
- Take one of the triangle flaps and fold it towards the center of your pentagon so that the edges line up. Then do the same thing with the other triangle flap on the other side.
- Now take one triangle flap and tuck it inside of the other flap so that they are both hidden inside your pentagon shape.
- Once both flaps are tucked away, turn your pentagon shape over so that the colored side is facing up again
- At this point, you should have a basic box shape with two triangular flaps sticking up on either end. These flaps will act as our lid, so tuck them underneath your box.
- Finally, tape or glue all four sides of your box to keep it secure.
What are the finished sizes of your gift boxes?
- Baked Goods Box as designed: 6.5″ x 6.25″ x 2.15″ (1 sheet each acetate, chipboard, patterned cardstock, and 2 sheets 12″ x 18″ teal cardstock)
- Baked Goods Box on a 12″ x 12″ mat: 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 1.5″ (1 sheet each acetate, chipboard, patterned cardstock, and 2 sheets 12″ x 12″ teal cardstock)
- Box With a Top as designed: 7″ x 7″ x 2.25″ (1 sheet each chipboard and patterned cardstock, and 3 sheets 12″ x 18″ teal cardstock)
- Box With a Top on a 12″ x 12″ mat: 4.5″ x 4.5″ x 1.5″ (1 sheet each chipboard and patterned cardstock, and 2 sheets 12″ x 12″ teal cardstock)
- Tumbler Box: 3.15″ x 3.15″ x 8.15″ (1 sheet each acetate, chipboard, patterned cardstock, and 2 sheets 12″ x 18″ teal cardstock)
Get my free SVG files to create these custom gift boxes!
What will you put in your custom gift boxes? I love seeing what you make with my designs and how you use them! Please share a photo of your gift boxes in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
Time is precious to a crafter. Being organized saves time and money. It also makes crafting enjoyable!