Since when did fancy gift boxes become the domain of adults? Sure, you’ve been thinking outside the basket, tray and fancy vessel when you make wine and cheese displays as gifts for friends and relatives, but kids get a kick out of fanciful presentations, too. A clever arrangement of small items serves more than one purpose: It can disguise an inexpensive present by adding presentation panache, challenge your creative crafter and make you the envy of folks who spent a lot more but didn’t get as much ooh and ahh value. Bring the most original gift to the party and your child benefits simply by association!
1. Make a girly-girl gift box for a child under the age of 10. Use tape or glue to cover a cardboard box with feminine gift paper. Fill the box with paper shred to cushion contents. Pack the box with dollar store finds like these: a tiara, pink notepad, storybook, small plush animal, cookies, socks, kiddy cologne, chalk and a bracelet. Finish the box with cellophane and flirty ribbons, each of which features a small charm at the end.
2. Design a baby gift box. Showers can be challenging when the parents already have at least one child and they’ve stockpiled every necessity. Summon your crafting genius by loading a gift box with products moms need regularly. Cover the cardboard box you select with gift wrap that matches baby’s nursery and fill it with paper shred to cushion bottles, tubes, canisters and jars filled with baby wash, shampoo, powder and creams, then add non-essentials like a onesie, baby sunglasses, a plush toy and a terry bath glove.
3. Craft Christmas gift boxes. You know kids: they think lots of stuff is cooler than just one thing, so design a bountiful box for each child on your list. Fill a shopping cart with “stuff” kids love like; sticker sets, feathery boas for the girls, pet frames, bug catcher nets for the boys, plush toys and more. Stick with 8 items for each box and even if you have to purchase 50 items, your tab will be affordable. Wrap each box, add fill, arrange each child’s treasures and tie them up with cellophane, ribbons and a single dated and personalized Christmas ornament to start a tradition.
4. Create memorable gifts for religious occasions. Whether it’s a First Communion, Chanukah celebration, Baptism or Kwanzaa remembrance, commemorate the occasion with a clever gift box that celebrates the sacred occasion. Dollar store finds include Bible coloring books plus crayons, Bible storybooks, keepsake boxes, candy treats, wall crosses and other inspirations that meld fun with spiritual so the occasion isn’t lost amid the cellophane wrappings and colorful ribbons.
5. Assemble a thank you gift box for a child who will be standing up at a wedding, participating in a project or just needs to know that they are thought about and loved. If you can’t decide what to include in the box, review suggestions listed in Steps 1 – 4, though if you’ve got a crafty spirit, you’ll probably find the ideal mix of treasures, colors, gifts and ribbons about six steps into the dollar store. Your goal? Having as much fun putting together that thank you box as the lucky recipient enjoys when you hand it over.
