Recycled cardboard boxes

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Doing this whole etsy thing has pushed me to think outside the box with packaging {pun intended}. What's the perfect way to wrap up?

Continue with the theme, baby.

These pillow boxes are easy, FREE, and the perfect size for gift cards, candy, or a small mouse.

{Please do not wrap a mouse. Of any size.}

You can use any box or cardboard type thing you can get your hands on.

If you aren't too keen on the print on the packaging, you could certainly use it inside out,

giving you a "kraft paper" style plain box.

If the idea of using TRASH is beneath you, first of all you're a gifting snob, and second of all, you can use decorative scrapbook paper instead {the heavier the weight = the sturdier the box}.

Print out a template. They are all over the interwebs, but I got mine here.

(TIP: the bigger template works perfectly with a 12 pack soda box - the horizontal folds line up perfectly with the existing folds of the box. YIPEE!)

There are directions with the templates, but here's the quick version.

1. Trace

2. Score

There are fancy schmancy crafting tools for such a job, but a pen works too, as does a mechanical pencil with no lead.

3. Fold

4. Assemble

Hot glue one side together as well as the bottom, leaving one side of flaps unglued so they can be opened.

• Extra long cardboard boxes
• Design cardboard boxes
• Coloured cardboard boxes
• Buy used cardboard boxes