As I considered a Christmas explosion box, a pin on Pinterest caught my eye. The previous explosion boxes I’ve made have all been made in a similar fashion. You’ll see that this box has a unique twist compared to the others. It is also going to be another surprise way to gift money.
The hardest part of this project is deciding on the decorative cardstock you want to use. There are so many different pads of cardstock! The great thing about using one of the decorative cardstock pads is that all the patterns go together well.
This is the same inexpensive jig for creating exploding boxes by We R Memory Keepers that I used for all of the explosion boxes I’ve created. 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.
Christmas Explosion Box
(We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through the links in this post at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this website!)
Supplies Needed:
- 12″ x 12″ pad of Christmas Cardstock
- We R Memory Keepers Explosion Board
- Paper Cutter
- Tacky Glue
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Sharp scissors
Cutting and Scoring the Paper for the Explosion Box
The next thing you need to do is decide what size your largest box will be. Using the We R Memory Keepers explosion board, the largest you can make is a 4-inch square box and you need 12″ x 12″ cardstock for it.
First, use the Explosion Board chart to determine the size to cut each of your papers. Although this allows you to make 7 different sizes, you can choose to create fewer. I’m eliminating the smallest box and only making 6 boxes for this project.
This time, I’m only making a lid for the largest box and the smallest.
Use a paper cutter to measure and cut the different sheets of paper. To keep things straight in my head, I use a pencil to lightly mark the box and lid measurements on each paper. Then, use the paper cutter to cut each to size. If the pencil mark is visible, use an eraser to erase it.
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 of the largest box, centering on the scored lines—Trace around the top of the heart. Then, with sharp scissors, cut around the rounded tops. Repeat for each corner.
Remember that this time we only use the heart templates on the XXL and XS boxes.
Fold the hearts to the inside on the scored diagonal lines. When creasing the boxes, crease on one side. Then, flip the box cutout to the opposite side and crease each of the creases in the opposite direction. You want the box sides to fall easily. This loosens the sides and lets them fall more freely. Use the scoring tool to press over the fold lines and set this layer to the side.
Cutting the Interior Boxes
Unlike the other explosion boxes I’ve made, all except the largest and smallest boxes won’t have lids, have the corners cut away, and will fall open.
Cut away the four corner squares on the remaining interior boxes. See the picture below. Then, flip the box over, and cut the cut-away squares slightly smaller than the flaps on the box to leave a small white border. Glue these in place. Repeat for the remaining interior boxes.
Since we didn’t cut away the corners of the largest box, or smallest box, you’ll want to cut decorative squares from the same or a coordinating pattern for these side squares.
The Explosion Gift Box Lids
Using the Lid Chart included, select the lid size you’ll need for the largest and smallest box, and then, cut the decorative paper to the coordinating paper size.
Crease And Fold the Lines
Place the paper in the corner 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.
Glue The Lid Corners
Then, fold on the scored lines. Use the scoring tool to press and rub the edges of the folds.
Fold the score lines inside or outside. It’s your choice. I like the tabs on the inside. Then, glue the corner 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. Paper clips are handy for holding the flaps while the glue dries.
Tacky Glue securely glues the corners together. You can use double-sided tape, but I use trusty Tacky Glue. I think it makes a sturdier lid.
(We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through the links in this post at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this website!)
Make a lid for the smallest and the largest box. Decorate the lid of the largest box. I cut cardstock paper wreaths with the Cricut cutting machine. The poinsettia is from the paper crafting section at the craft store.
Time to Decorate the Layers
At this point, you want to decorate the boxes. It will be easier to decorate before assembling. You can decide whether to decorate the inside, the outside, or both!
I cut decorative red squares slightly smaller than the side squares for the largest box. That way there is a bit of a border around them. If you haven’t already, glue the decorative squares in place.
I used Canva to create a printout of Money Gift Sentiments for the largest box. You can download it for free.
Then, cut out the images leaving excess to fold to the back.
Cut the top of each of the cards. Then, score, and fold the excess on the edges and bottom to the back. Make an angled cut-out on each bottom corner so the cardstock folds flat. Then, glue each to one of the sides to create a money pocket.
Gather stickers, Christmas memorabilia, numerous pads of Christmas cardstock and paper, and cutting dies to decorate these boxes.
(We are an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small percentage of any sales through the links in this post at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting this website!)
I found a cutting die for a folding card on Amazon, which I think makes a cute little card to add to your box if you have a die-cutting machine. This is so cute!
If you want more ideas for making little envelopes and pockets for money, check out this post on a little girl’s junk journal.
What can you add to your Christmas box to make it unique? Here are a few additional ideas:
-
- Postcards or photographs
- Ticket stubs or memorabilia from trips or events
- Dried or silk flowers or leaves
- Old book pages or sheet music
- Handwritten letters or notes
- Fabric scraps or lace
- Stickers or washi tape
- Trinkets or small objects that hold sentimental value
- Collages or mixed media art
- Pockets or envelopes to hold additional treasures.
Assembling the Boxes
After you have the layers decorated, 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 fold the box sides inward when you glue each to the bottom of the next larger box. It makes it easier to center the base.
After positioning each box, open the sides to lay flat, and firmly press the bottom to ensure the glue adheres. Repeat until you have glued all of the boxes.
Next, place your money gifts in the pockets, envelopes, and in the smallest box. Place the lid on it, fold up the remaining boxes, and set the largest lid on the box.
Make your next money gift a memorable one!
Be Social!
