How to Make a Tissue Paper Flower Valentine Gift Box

I was going to entitle this post –  How to make a G-Rated Victoria’s Secret Valentine gift box, but that would be a little misleading since it isn’t an actual gift from Victoria’s Secret –  just a re-use of their pretty boxes.  I am also going to show you how to make a super easy tissue paper flower to go on the top.

I enjoy finding decorative ways to re-purpose items especially when it comes to gift giving since the boxes and wrap tend to get thrown away after the gift is opened. I figure I might as well use items that had a previous life as something else to not only help cut down the cost of the gift, but help the environment at the same time.  WIN/WIN!

Victoria’s Secret boxes are always pretty and I have a hard time throwing them away.  They are made of high quality cardboard which makes them nice to re-use.  If you don’t have boxes, scrapbook paper and a small piece of plain cardboard will work just as well to make one of these gift containers.

Since Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and I always like to give and send a few X’s and O’s to my family and friends, I got to work.  The container is from peanuts. I threw away the label and plastic lid.

How To Make a Valentine Gift Box

supplies needed:

• Can
• Boxes from retail stores or scrapbook paper, if using scrapbook paper, you will also need 1 disc of cardboard for the top.
• Spray glue
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Small jar/film canister to use as a circle pattern
• Tissue paper
• Stapler
• Hot glue and gun

1. Measure the side of the can and the circumference and cut a piece that size from a part of the box/scrapbook paper without the logo on it.

2. Glue onto can. I used spray glue, but any glue will work.

Since the box is heavy cardboard, I placed a Popsicle stick over the seam where the cut cardboard meets or overlaps on the can and clamped it on. This will help the cardboard to stay down while it dries.  If it still comes up – use a thin line of hot glue under the seam.

3.  For the top -Trace the bottom of the can on the box.  Make two and then cut out. Set aside.

4. To make the scalloped trim:   The box was too thick to make the scalloped trim along the top, so I used scrapbook paper.  Cut a piece of scrapbook paper as long as the circumference of the box by 1-3/4-inches. You will have a long strip.  You may have to join two pieces together end to end if your container is large as scrapbook is only 12” square.

5.  On the back side of the strip, make pencil marks at 1- 1/4-inches along the length from one side – use a ruler to join the marks and draw a line.  This is going to be the top of the scalloped section and where the strip will fold over.  Run the tips of a closed pair of scissors gently down this line to score.

6.  I found a jar the right size to make my scallop pattern with.  Set it down along the 1-1/4-inch section of the strip and draw a circle.  Repeat up the length of the strip. Make sure the circles don’t overlap.

7. Cut out the bottom of each circle with a pair of small scissors to create a scallop effect on your strip.  Don’t cut all the way up between the scallops. Stop where the pencil line meets between each scallop.

8.  Along the other edge of the strip, cut tabs into the paper, stopping at the score line, but not over it. The tabs are needed to attach the scallop strip to the top.   The smaller your container the more tabs you will need to make sure when you wrap the strip around the container they will lay flat.

How to Assemble the Valentine Gift Box Top

1.  Gather the 2 circles you cut out in Step 3 and your scalloped-cut and tabbed strip.

2. Place the scalloped edge of your strip between two pieces of paper in a large pad of paper. This will protect the scallops from any getting any glue on them when you spray the tabs.

3. Spray glue the tabs and let the glue get tacky.

4.  Place one of the circles- pattern side up and then wrap the scalloped strip around the circle making sure the tabs lay flat as you work around the circle.   You have a little bit of time to re-position if necessary before the glue dries.  Overlap the ends and cut away any excess.

Note:  If using all scrapbook paper to make your top, you will need one circle of cardboard for the top for stability.  If it is plain – cover it with a circle of scrapbook paper and use that as your pattern side up circle.

5.  Flip it over and place on the can.  Glue the other circle on top to cover the tabs.

How to Make a Tissue Paper Flower

1.  Layer at least 8-10 sheets of tissue paper that are as wide as the top of your can on top of each other.  I layered 3 different colors and about 15 sheets to make mine.

2. Accordion fold the layer of sheets and then staple in the center.  Round ends with scissors.

3. Carefully pull the layers of paper apart to fluff into a flower shape.

4. Repeat fluffing on the other side.

I flattened one side and hot glued it to the scalloped top.

All done and ready to give.