Refuse Division

Card Boxes

Recycle Old Holiday Cards Into Gift Boxes

December 1, 2010 | 2 min reading time

This article is 14 years old. It was published on December 1, 2010.

Decorative upcycled cardbox made out of old Holiday Cards

Children can "upcycle" old holiday cards into gift boxes shaped like houses. This activity is appropriate for ages nine and up.

Materials:

  • Old holiday cards - approximately six (6) cards will make one gift box.
  • Thin ribbon.
  • Glue.
  • Hole puncher.

How To:

  • On five (5) cards, glue the front to the back, using just a thin line of glue along the edge (the card that isn't glued becomes the roof of the house). Gluing the front and back together on each individual card will make the gift box stronger.
  • On four (4) cards, punch holes along all three sides of each card. On one (1) card, punch holes along all four sides. On one (1) card, punch holes along only one side. On this last card, the front flap will not be hole-punched, so that the "roof" can be lifted to fill the box (e.g., toys, etc.) for gift giving.
  • Lay the cards out on a table, to determine the shape of the house and rood. With the card that will be the front of the house and a card that will be one side of the house, start lacing the cards together with the ribbon, finishing as desired (e.g., bows, knots, inside, outside).
  • Keep adding cards, lacing them together until the house is "built" – front, rear, sides, floor, roof.
  • Fill the house with treats!

Source: www.kinderart.com/seasons/decgiftbox.shtml