Have you seen any of the beautiful exploding boxes on Pinterest? There are versions for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, as well as most other holidays and birthdays, too. I had planned to make one for Christmas, but it just didn’t happen.
Although I’m not a big fan of just giving cash or gift cards, we all have those family members or friends that make choosing a gift for them difficult. The idea of making one of these exploding gift boxes to present cash or a gift card seems like a great way to make the gift a little more special.
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Explosion Box Board
It may not seem like it would be difficult to measure, cut, and create a custom box, I found this inexpensive jig for creating exploding boxes by We R Memory Keepers. This set gives you all the dimensions and lets you easily create boxes and lids in 7 nesting sizes along with a scoring tool. It also includes a variety of heart templates giving you more options.
When you first open up the directions, it may look a little overwhelming. It is a lot simpler than it first appears. The directions are included in English, Spanish, French, and German.
Supplies Needed
- * 12 x 12 Decorative Cardstock Paper Pad
- We R Memory Keepers Explosion Board
- Paper Cutter
- Tacky Glue or Double-sided tape
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Sharp scissors
*You’ll probably want to choose the cardstock that is printed on both sides or a pretty color on the backside.
Cutting Your Explosion Box
The first thing you need to do is choose which cardstock papers you want to use. This might be the most difficult part of the project! There are so many pretty papers! Then, lay the papers out in the order you would like them from large to small. Also, choose which side of the paper you want to use for the lid and which for the box.
For this box, I use two paper pads. One set has floral patterns on both sides. The other paper pad has double-sided sheets with a color on one side and a coordinating color on the other.
The next thing you need to do is decide what size your largest box is going to be. Using the We R Memory Keepers explosion board, the largest you can make is a 4 – inch square with 12″ x 12″ cardstock.
First, use the Explosion Board chart to determine the size to cut each of your papers. Although this gives you the capability of making 7 different sizes, you can choose to make fewer.
Cut The Papers to The Sizes on The Box Chart
A note here, the pink floral paper in the pictures is a heavier cardstock. The back is white. I've used it for some of the pictures thinking that you can see the creases easier. I found that the heavier cardstock does not lay down as easily. You might want to choose a lighter weight.
You can use the paper cutter to measure and cut the different papers. To keep things straight in my head, I use a pencil to lightly mark the box and lid measurements on each of the papers. Then, use the paper cutter to cut each to size. If the pencil mark is visible at all, use an eraser to erase it.
How To Make Your Explosion Box
Scoring The Papers
Then, place one of the cut paper squares in the corner of the Explosion Board. Start by scoring the vertical line at the box size indicator. Then, score the diagonal line just to the vertical line! It’s just that easy!
Rotate the paper 90° counterclockwise and repeat scoring the vertical and diagonal lines for the remaining three sides.
Place the heart template in one corner, centering on the scored lines. Then, with sharp scissors, cut around the rounded tops as shown in the picture above.
Fold the hearts to the inside. Score the fold lines and set this layer to the side. Repeat for each of the box sizes.
You can see in the picture above that using the heart stencils and cutting removes some of the excess bulk.
The Lids
Using the Lid Chart included, select the lid size you’ll need for each box and then, cut the decorative paper to the coordinating paper size.
Crease and fold the lines for the lids.
Place the paper in the corner again and score the vertical line at the “Lid Indicator”. Then, score the diagonal line down to the vertical line.
Once again, rotate the paper counterclockwise and repeat this step for each of the remaining sides.
Then, fold on the scored lines. I use the scoring tool to press and rub the folds.
Fold the score lines inside or outside. It’s your choice. Then, glue the tabs. I first glue the flaps together on the inside of the diagonal. Next, dot some glue on one side of the flap. Use a toothpick to spread the glue. Note that I glue the flaps on just two opposite sides of the lid. I found the little clips come in handy for holding the flaps while the glue dries.
The Tacky Glue securely glues the corners together. You can use double-sided tape if you like, but I prefer the trusty Tacky Glue. I think it makes a sturdier lid.
TIPS
As you are planning and creating your exploding box, you might want to consider how you can add weight to the top sides of the boxes. Why? You want your boxes to drop open dramatically, right? By making sure there is a little additional weight on the top, it will help ensure an exploding success.
I made lids for all of the boxes, but you can choose to omit the lids. The ways you can personalize the boxes are limitless.
Decorating The Layers
At this point, you may want to decorate the boxes. It will be easier to decorate before assembling. Keep in mind that the boxes, if we’ve done this right, will fall open as the lids lift. You can decide whether to decorate the inside, the outside, or both!
The sides of the boxes weren’t falling down dramatically enough. After considering different options, the idea to use a heart cutout to hold a quarter at the top of each flap came to mind. We have hearts in the corners. Repeating with more paper hearts seems appropriate.
The added weight of the coin did the trick! Who wouldn’t like a few additional dollar’s worth of coins anyway? Lol!
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This Fiskars X-Large Squeeze Punch, That’s Amore is the perfect size for holding a quarter.
Gluing The Box Together
Lay the largest layer out on a hard surface. Apply glue to the bottom of layer 2 and place it in the center square of the largest layer. You’ll probably want to put the lid on the box you are gluing. It’s easier than trying to hold all four sides. It makes it easier to center the base, too.
After you have the box in position, take off the lid, and press the bottom firmly to make sure the glue adheres.
Have you created a thick layer with pockets, pictures, etc.? You might want to glue a square of cardboard under the next box to lift it slightly. This will help that layer lay flat.
The Gift Exploding
This gift is for my granddaughter, Sophie’s birthday. She seemed to enjoy it!
You can fill your exploding box with candy, little gifts, pictures, cards, envelopes, money, or whatever you like.
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Such a fun idea – thanks for the great instructions!
Oh! Thank you, Ann! It is really fun to make these. I am envisioning more for other holidays… Thanks for stopping by and commenting!