Heart Shape Cardboard Gift Box

Heart Shape Cardboard Gift Box

Make a novelty box for Valentine's Day in the shape of a heart. Choose from a variety of printable patterns for two sizes of heart boxes. This is a cute gift box for small presents that will bring smiles and warm hearts wherever it is displayed. This box uses the banded box technique presented in the Oval Box with Lid craft project. Tip: Make the Oval Box with Lid first to learn this technique.

Related craft: If you are intrigued by boxes with novelty shapes, see the Christmas Tree Shaped Box project and design other box shapes by following the instructions at the end of that project for how to create a box pattern with a shape of your own design.

Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It

Choose a box to make. Download and print the pattern. The smaller box pattern  includes both the box bottom and top. The large box requires separate patterns for the bottom and top of the box.

Make a lightweight box by printing directly on cardstock. For a stronger box, print a black and white pattern on computer paper, and trace ortransfer the patternto cardboard before proceeding.

You could download it from Internet , vector (AI,CDR) file will be OK for printing

Step 2: Cut

Cut around the box pattern pieces on the solid black lines. Try to cut accurately. The box will be stronger and fit together better if the cuts precisely follow the pattern outlines.

Using a straight edge and craft knife will make some of the cutting easier, but be sure to protect the table with a cutting mat or thick piece of cardboard. Caution: Be careful. Craft knives are sharp and should not be used by children.

Larger Box: The side strips for the larger box are in two pieces. Glue the two pieces together, using the glue tab to join them.

Step 3: Fold

Fold the tabs over, then unfold them to about a 90 angle. Fold on the other scored fold lines. The center score line is placed at the tip of the heart. - See more at:

In preparation for gluing, bend the side strip around the heart-shaped cutout.  Position the middle fold at the tip of the heart. If the side strip is too long, adjust it by cutting a little from one end. If the side strip is too short, cut the heart.

Step 4: Glue

Coat the inside of the glue tabs with a thin layer of white glue. Apply a band of glue around the perimeter of one of the heart-shaped cutouts. Make sure that the band of glue is as wide as the depth of the tabs. Wrap the side strip around the cutout, pressing the glue tabs firmly in place along the sides, over the top and into the middle dimple.

Step 5: Make Box Top

Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the box top. Optionally, glue the insets to the second heart-shaped cutout.

You may cover the sides of the top with decorative paper or ribbon prior to gluing the second heart-shaped cutout in place. Cut a strip of paper the same size as the side strip. Glue the decorative strip in place, carefully aligning the edges. Cut glue tabs on the other edge, fold and glue over existing tabs.

Step 6: Decorate

Decorate the box top however you like! Wrap a strip of paper in a coordinating color around the sides of the top. Use the inset patterns to cut out smaller heart shapes.