Gift Card Boxes

I used to go to great lengths to make sure every present I gave was handmade and tailored to the recipient's taste.  Over the last few years, I've realized that most people truly love to receive a gift card now & then, so they can go out and get the very thing they've been hoping for.  This has been an adjustment for me.  I felt kind of guilty about the first few gift cards I gave, like I didn't put enough time into it.  But, as the reactions were genuinely enthusiastic, I thought, 'well, that was easy' and I decided that gift cards can be very good. 

There's always one or two people on my gift list who gift cards are perfect for.  Like my dad.  I never know what to do for my dad.  My sister, Julia, has pulled off some well-chosen shirts or gardening books for him, but I'm always stumped.  My most successful handmade present for him to date was a custom-designed table mat for he and my mom to play cards on.  They love that thing.  Who would have known? I've certainly made things that were cooler than that, like a hand-cut, metal bookmark that looks like a man climbing over the page when in place.  Crazy stuff sometimes.

I'm much more excited about planning gifts for my dad now that I'm cool with gift cards as a safety net.  What seals the deal for me is that I can still make the box.

For my recent feature in Creating Keepsakes (Dec 08), I designed a free pattern for the gift card box shown above. If you are planning to give some gift cards and would like to dress them up a bit, head to the pattern download page or follow the 'Gift Card Box' link under 'Free Patterns' in my sidebar.  These little boxes are great for wrapping up buttons, jewelry or candy too -- or for housing a love note on top of a larger, wrapped gift.  Get creative.

xo--Heather

Comments

[Rebecka]

I love your patterns and tutorials, thanks for yet another great one! :)

[leaderofmen]

What a sweet little box! Very nice for dressing up a gift card.

[Simone]

Thank you for the wonderful pattern! Love it.

[Debra Cooper]

I am loving everything you do and enjoy visiting your blog often. Your tutorials are fantastic and beautifully designed! My goal is to give more handmade gifts this year and your gift box is just perfect.
Thank you, your very inspirational.

[Emma]

You've summed-up my thoughts on gift-cards to a T! Thank you for another great pattern!

[FringeGirl]

Super Cute!

[Kasie@~The Art of Life~]

You are truly amazing Heather!!
And so sweet to share.
Thanks so much for the pattern.
I know that I love to receive gift cards but I do feel guilty about giving them. Isn't that silly?
:)

[Jona]

Oh fun! I was ogling this last night which at the new Barnes & Noble!

[Mallory]

I love it ! I love your creativity! I love everything! Keep up the good work....

[Jennifer Ladd]

Such a pretty box! I'd love to receive that any day! Thanks so much for sharing the pattern with us!

[Sherri]

Thanks so much for the pattern...it's darling!

[Lisa]

Thanks for sharing another great idea!

[heather hales]

really cute! perfect for a small pair or earrings too!

[calbrecan]

Heather,

I took a look at your new magazine article this morning. Great stuff! I especially loved the little paper medallion ornament do-ma-jigs. And the pinwheel rocks, too! You and I are on the same page about the gift of gift cards. I, too, have always felt like they were kind of a lame gift to give (though receiving them has always been good). So your handmade gift box offers the best of both worlds. I will still be technically "making" something, even if it's just the wrapping. Thanks for the idea!

[Amy @ parkcitygirl]

These are great! Thanks for sharing :)

[pretty penny designs]

I love that idea. I end up buying a lot of gift cards too and its nice to make it pretty and personal.

[Mindy]

You are fabulous! I just came across your blog as I was searching for craft room ideas (I'm in the middle of a remodel). What an inspiration you are! Thanks for sharing!

[Laurie]

This is such a great idea! I'm downloading the pattern right now. Thank you!

[Nena]

Thanks so much! I'll be getting this down load! This year I'm a firm believer in the gift Card! I really like the i tunes one that you have used in your example!-Nena

[Cathy]

Great idea!
Will definitely make a few of those.

[Karen]

I can't wait to make these. You are amazing! Thank you!

[Lynn]

Thank you ever so much for the pattern for the little box. It is so cute. And I have your papers to make it with. Lynn

[Laurel]

This is fabulous. It will make me feel better about giving gift cards to a few people this year. =)

[Jennifer]

Hi Heather! I love your site and really enjoy reading all of your posts. Thanks for the gift card box pattern. I often get more enjoyment out of creating the packaging for a present than I do the present! Silly... I know!

[Natalija]

Dear Heather, I left you a cool award on my blog: http://sarahsdaughter.lifewithchrist.org/permalink/45685.html

[Michelle]

How lovely! I love stumbling upon new blogs...especially yours :)

[Stephanie Fish]

I just found your website and LOVE your stuff!! The colors are just so bright and cheerful. I was pleasantly surprised at the free patterns you offer and hope to find time (away from my virtual assistant business) to make crafts again. (Sewing is my first love!)
Thanks!

[sarah]

How perfect! I've got several people who I always do gift certificates for, because of their love for spas or netflix. So this little box tutorial is perfect..I can still dress it up with a little bit of handmade to give it that special 'wow' factor. Thanks a bunch!!

[Lauren]

What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing the pattern!!!

[Tabitha]

Love it!!! So creative & beautiful! Thanks for the idea. I will definitely be making one for some jewelry I'm giving this year!

[Dawn]

love these!!!!!!!

[Yvonne Stehle]

Thank you for the pattern. Good to hear the gift card theme again to remind me not to get insane with the handmade Christmas gift-list.

[kayla]

Heather, You have such great talent. I love your idea for your pattern.I wish you the best and I am looking forward to continue coming back.

[Suz K]

What an excellent idea! This year we decided to downsize gifts and just do stockings. I can find clever things for the women, but got stumped for a couple of the men and felt a gift card would do the trick, but like you, felt it wasn't quite enough - this will really do the trick!

[Rachael Rabbit]

My husband is a gift card addict - I love the personal touch you have put to it .. just gorgeous.

[SummerSadie]

Such a neat idea!

[MelissaHarvey]

Hi, I have really loved coming to your blog. I am currently making a quilt using several of your fabrics. I can't wait for it to be finished. I also love the papers you have, but wonder where I can get the ones in the latest pictures. I am not finding them in your store.

Thanks,
Melissa
www.themudpuddle.etsy.com

[Amy]

What a fantastic idea! You always do such a beautiful job with the patterns. I look forward to trying this out someday soon.

[dianna]

thanks for the wonderful pattern*!*

[amelia]

Beautiful!! I love the box idea, I will take mine with a gift card for your fabric or to Anthropologie, either works for me. ;o)

Would be a darling way to package your trash ties as well!!

xo~Amelia

[Amy]

Thank you for this pattern! I have been looking for an easy, fun pattern and this fits my needs perfectly!

THANKS!!!

[robyn]

Thank you Heather! What a cute idea, thank you for sharing with all of us.

[Laura]

So sweet of you to share! I made a few for christmas and they are so lovely and EASY to make! Thanx a million for your great idea's!

[Cherry Tree Lane]

This is wonderful! Thank you!

[Cheryl]

These really are so much fun to make. I have grand plans for all my coworkers involving these boxes. We'll see how well that works out! Thanks, Heather!

[carol eldridge]

Heather,

cute idea but not in this down turned retail market...

warnings are out for not giving gift cards as presents, since retailers may not be able to honor them if they go out of business after the holidays. What started out as being a fun idea to give gift cards is now in jeopardy of being a disaster. They won't be worth anything if the store is not in business.
sorry to burst your bubble, but wanted to warn you about this.

best,

carol

[ali]

Love it! Thanks for sharing!

[Katie Trott]

cute idea! Why are Dad's so hard to buy for? My own always got sweater's. He was happy with a new pair of slippers and a robe :)

[Eve]

THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU...for this freebie! Both, the gift card box AND the pinwheel patterns. They are fantastic!

[Jewelry boxes]

Great way to make gift cards more personal!