It's not the present inside that counts, it's how you wrap it up, says Justin Newcombe.
Making a gift box for someone is a really nice way to let them know you care without breaking the bank. Bonus points too: because you spent all that time making the box, you're off the hook when it comes to the actual gift. Socks and undies all the way.
This is a "kitchen table" project and once you get started you'll really enjoy it. This box is constructed out of 4mm marine ply, which Bunnings can cut down for you into long strips which saves a lot of work (and the cuts will be true every time). Just let them know the exact measurements for the various components (lid, bottom, sides and so on). Then all you need to do is cut the strips to the correct lengths. Once you get started it's just as easy to make four boxes as it is two, so get a production line going. The box can be covered with any number of things. Stencilling would work well but I love to paint and this is a golden opportunity to do something painterly. Thinking about the gift actually being the box will help with the theme. A child may like a box which looks like a car. A husband may like a box painted like a fish or a wife may want a little landscape which looks like a holiday. You don't have to paint the box, you can laminate pictures on. The wonderful thing about this construction method is that it's scalable up and down and is perfect if you're a DIY novice.
Once you build this basic box it's easy to refine your process, explore other materials and different shapes and sizes. For once this Christmas, it won't be what's on the on inside that counts.
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