Make Your Own Holiday Gift Boxes

Every year I make a homemade gift for my family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. Last year, I hit it big with some fudge that apparently was so good I've already had friends asking when it was coming this year. So, alas, I've started (and finished!) the project. This year, dealing with cutbacks like most of us, I've had to make twice as much fudge with the same budget. My compromise was to make my own boxes instead of paying a dollar a piece at the dollar store. Here's how I did it.

What You'll Need:
2 - 8"x8" piece of card stock
1- 7.5"x7.5" piece of holiday paper
Ruler
Pencil (optional)
X-Acto knife
Scotch tape

How To Make It:

1. Glue the holiday paper into the middle of one of the pieces of cardstock.
2. Trim 1/4 inch off the width and length of the other piece of cardstock.


3. Use the ruler and pencil to draw a 1 inch line (or width of your choice) across all four sides of both pieces cardstock. Then score it very lightly with the X-Acto knife. Then in each corner you will have a box. In each of these boxes, draw a diagonal line from the outer corner of the card stock to the inside corner of the drawn box (see picture). Score those lines as well




4. Fold along each of the scored lines, folding in the corners to make a triangle "tab" inside the box. Tape the corner in place on the outside of the box. Repeat for all four corners.



5. Tape the four inside corner "tabs" to the inside walls of box. At this point you will have a lid and a bottom!

Because I was dealing with fudge, I also made little "boxes" to line the bottom of the box with wax paper. I cut the wax paper into 7.75" squares and then drew the same 1" line around all four sides and folded it up into a liner.



Then I placed the liner inside the bottom of the box.






Filled it with fudge.








Put the lid on the box and tied a ribbon around it for a finishing touch. A quick and easy gift (unless you're making 30 of them, like I did, and it turns into a two day project!)

And since I know I'll get emails on it. Here are the recipes for the fudge.

Mint Layer Fudge

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 6 ounces white confectioners coating* or premium white chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon peppermint extract
• Green or red food coloring (optional)

1. In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with 1 cup sweetened condensed milk; add vanilla. Spread half the mixture into wax-paper-lined 8- or 9-inch square pan; chill 10 minutes or until firm. Hold remaining chocolate mixture at room temperature.
2. In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt white confectioners coating with remaining sweetened condensed milk (mixture will be thick). Add peppermint extract and food coloring (optional).
3. Spread on chilled chocolate layer; chill 10 minutes longer or until firm.
4. Spread reserved chocolate mixture on mint layer. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Fudge

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 cup marshmallow creme
• 1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Boil sugar and milk to soft ball stage*. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into a buttered 8-inch square pan. Cut into squares when firm.

*To Test for Soft Ball Stage
A small amount of syrup dropped into chilled water forms a ball, but flattens when picked up with fingers.