How to Make Gift Boxes That Really "Show Off" What's Inside

DIY Gift Boxes with Clear Lids Will Show Off Your Beautiful Homemade Treats and Handmade Gifts...

How to make gift boxes with beautiful clear lids!

In the past, I've shared with you a couple tutorials on how to make gift boxes.

If you haven't seen them yet, feel free to check out this handmade box tutorial (you'll just need paper, glue and scissors) or this no glue/no scissors DIY origami gift box tutorial.

Making your own boxes (and homemade canisters) is definitely a great skill for anyone who makes gifts, whether they are homemade food gifts or handmade treasures!

I have a very special gift box technique I'd like to show you today that I'm simply calling the clear lid technique. This gift box technique has two different, both gorgeous looks.

Clear lids are great for extra special handmade gifts that you really want to show off. Yet, you can also use this technique to make your homemade food gifts look professionally decadent and extremely elegant.

One more way to use these clear lids is with something store-bought. You can use this technique to compliment anything from a few cute little candies to a pair of gorgeous earrings!

Time to Learn How to Make Gift Boxes with Clear Lids...

You can click on either picture below to go straight to the tutorial for that photo or simply scroll down.

Learn how to make a clear lid to show off your homemade food gifts!Technique # 1 has a clear lid that is level with the top of the box.
Learn how to make a tall elegant clear lid to show of your handmade gift!Technique # 2 has a lid that is twice as tall as the box.

Below, you'll find tutorials on how to make gift boxes like each of the photos above... enjoy!

Technique 1: How to make a clear lid that is level with the top of your gift box...

DIY gift box with clear lid!

First of all, I'll show you how to make gift boxes with a simple clear lid, so that your gift presentation and the gift itself become one beautiful creation...

These "see-through" gift boxes lend themselves well to all kinds of small baked goods, truffles and even small hand made gifts like homemade ornaments, jewelry and small photo gifts.

You'll Need:

  • Acetate. A stiff and clear material for the lid such as acetate, transparency film or clear vellum
  • Dry erase marker is helpful
  • Ruler or better yet, a ruled grid of some kind
  • Scissors, sharp with a good point will work best or a craft knife
  • Paper to make origami box... 12 x 12 scrapbook paper is what I use here
  • Ribbon for decorating your box

How to Make Gift Boxes - Step-by-Step Technique #1

1. Start with a Box. First, you need a box (just the bottom, no top of course). For this tutorial, I made an origami gift box. Please refer to origami box instructions if needed to make your own origami box.

Step by step tutorial on making your own box with an elegant clear lid.

2. Make the Clear Lid. Next cut your acetate to size. To do this, measure the width and height of your box. Next, add width + height + height to determine the size of acetate you need.

Homemade gift box tutorial.

Cut a square from each corner (as shown above) that is the same size as the height of your box. If the height is 2" cut a 2" x 2" square from each corner as shown.

Cutting Tips... I find that placing my acetate on a grid and marking the cuts I plan to make with a dry erase marker works great. Making sure to use sharp pointed scissors will help you make clear square cuts. You can clean any remaining marks using a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol if needed.

Homemade box tutorial.

3. Fold and Place Lid. Fold each flap down and place over your box. Tie ribbon around your box after you have filled it with something appealing.

The clear lid fits right over the top of the homemade gift box.

Tip: If you don't want to use ribbon to keep the lid secure, you can use a dot of glue under each flap of the clear lid.

All done!

What to put inside?

You can fill a box like this with cookies or other baked goods... candy or nut mixes. You can place clean crinkly shredded paper (the kind made for gift baskets called shred), tinsel or tissue paper inside to pad a beautiful homemade gift such as, handmade jewelry, small photo gifts, photo key-chains, handmade ornaments, etc.

Tip: You can also decorate the clear acetate using stamps or permanent markers.

Next I'll show you how to make gift boxes with clear lids that pop up higher than the box itself... this is really elegant, I just love it when I have an excuse to do this!

Technique 2: How to make an extra tall and fancy clear lid...

DIY gift box tutorial with an elegant clear lid option!

The second clear lidded DIY gift box technique is something I learned from Mary Gallagher Stout.

It's very similar to the simple box above except the top of this one actually slips inside the box and extends the height of the box making it twice as tall. The resulting view is lovely.

You'll Need:

  • Acetate. A stiff and clear material for the lid such as acetate, transparency film or clear vellum.
  • Dry erase marker is helpful.
  • Ruler or better yet, a ruled grid of some kind.
  • Scissors, sharp with a good point is best.
  • Paper, 6 x 6 inches
  • Ribbon for decorating your box if desired.

How to Make Gift Boxes - Step-by-Step Technique #2

1. Make Bottom of Box. First, use your 6 x 6 in. paper to make a square box using these origami box instructions...

Start by making an origami box...

2. Cut Acetate. Next cut your acetate to 6 x 6 inches. Cut a 2 x 2 in. square out of each corner of the acetate.

You can draw your template with sharpie on the clear acetate.

Tips.. I find that placing my acetate on a grid and marking the cuts I plan to make with a dry erase marker works great. Making sure to use sharp pointed scissors will help you make clear square cuts. You can clean any remaining dry erase marker using a damp cloth or rubbing alcohol if needed.

3. Fold. Fold each side of the acetate and crease well.

Fold the sides of the clear lid.

4. Place the Lid. Tuck all four tabs into the box. They will tuck in half way allowing the rest of the lid to stick up and look gorgeous!

Tip... use a toothpick to flatten the flaps inside the handmade gift box.

Tip... A tooth pick can be used to adjust the inner flaps of the lid if they get caught on each other or don't lay flat against the inside. This can also be a handy way make last minute adjustments to the position of your gift for best presentation.

Make gift boxes that show off your handmade gifts!

That's it! The fun part is to... Fill your box! (and put a ribbon on it if desired).

These homemade gift boxes could be filled with candy, treats or a small gift. They make:

  • Fun wedding favors.
  • Elegant Valentine's Day gifts.
  • Adorable Sweetest Day sweets.
  • A lovely way to give a piece of homemade jewelry or some other handmade treasure.
  • A creative way to give a piece of homemade chocolate or a piece of store-bought designer chocolate.

Now that you know how to make gift boxes with clear lids, I hope you'll continue exploring this site for coordinating homemade gift ideas!

If you find a little JOY in this gift idea, please share a photo in the homemade gift gallery!


==> Show Us What You Made Here!

Related Pages...

› › Gift Boxes with Clear Lids
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