Pretty Packages.

These packages are so pretty and elegant that they are gifts within themselves. They are decorations and accents that tell the recipient how special they are to the giver. Who wouldn't be eager to find out what is inside? They will also be fun to refill year after year.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Boxes

White poster board (for pyramid boxes)

Prepasted wallpaper 

Scissors 

Hole punch 

Pencil

Ruler

Ribbon

Broad line gold marking pen

Boxes with removable lids:

These boxes come in all shapes and sizes and are attractive ways to organize.

Each of these boxes is the pattern used to cover the exterior of the box and the exterior of the lid of the box. Draw the box size and the lid size on the white side of the wallpaper before wetting it. Cut out coverings with as few seams as possible. Wet wallpaper and cover the box and its lid separately, folding edges inside. Allow them to dry overnight. Add ribbons, bows, and trims.

Square and rectangular one-piece boxes:

These type boxes usually come folded flat with tabs to insert into slits to construct the box. They have only one small glued tab on the side of the box and the top tucks into the edge.

Gently pull apart the glued edge of the box. Smooth wet prepasted wallpaper on the box that is one flat sheet. Allow drying overnight. Cut off wallpaper edge around the box and cut slits as shown on the box. Fold on fold lines to construct box. Glue together the edges of the box that were originally glued. Fold and construct the box as originally intended. Draw a gold line around the front of the box edge if desired. Add contents and tie with bows and trims.

Pyramid Boxes

(shown left)

These boxes are easy to create, and they make a beautiful statement under the tree. These boxes can be made in many sizes to accommodate many different gifts. They make great table decorations and favor boxes placed at individual plates.

Wet prepasted wallpaper and smooth onto the rough side of the white poster board. Allow it to dry overnight. To make a four-sided pyramid box, draw a square the desired size for package contents on the white side of the poster board. Mark the midpoint of each side of the square. Draw a line perpendicular to the midpoint of each side of the square the height of the package contents. With a ruler, draw a line from the top of the midpoint line to each end of each side of the square. The overall drawing results will resemble a four pointed star (figure 1): a square in the center and four identical triangles pointing outward with each side of the square serving as the base for one of the triangle . Cut out the star-shaped figure. Fold each point into a pyramid (figure 3) by using a ruler placed on each side of the square. Place figure flat with wallpaper side up and draw a gold line 1/4-inch wide around the outside edge of the star-shaped figure using the ruler and the broad line gold marking pen. Punch a hole in each point of the four triangles. Place contents in tissue on square, thread ribbon through all holes, and tie with a knot, keeping the pyramid sides in place. Add a bow or tassel (figure 4).

To make a three-sided pyramid box, draw an equilateral triangle a suitable size for package contents on the white side of the poster board. Mark the midpoint of each side of the triangle. Draw a line perpendicular to the midpoint of each side of the triangle the height of the package contents. With a ruler draw a line from the top of the midpoint line to each end of each side of the triangle. The overall drawing will be a triangle in the center with three identical triangles pointing outward, each having a base on the original equilateral triangle (figure 2). To fold and tie, follow directions for four-sided pyramid box (figures 3 and 4).

SPECIAL WAYS TO TAG A PACKAGE:

* Write the name of the recipient in large gold letters across the front of the box. Tuck a tag inside identifying the giver.

* Put the recipient's monogram on the front or side of the box in large gold letters. Tuck a tag inside identifying the giver.

* Write the recipient's name in gold on a dark ribbon. It can be written many times on the entire length of the ribbon. Tuck a tag inside identifying the giver.

* Cut shapes from poster board that is gold on one side and silver on the other side using cookie cutters as patterns. Punch a hole in the edge and dangle from the bow streamers with a small knot. Add glitz by spraying them with spray glitter.

* Use a picture ornament as a gift tag. Print to and from and the date on the back.

* Use a shiny ball with the recipient's name as the tag. Identifying tag will be inside.

* Write out the recipient's name in gold or silver stars. Tuck the giver's name inside.