A box filled with love!

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.

If you plan to do something special for your loved one this February 14th then why not make something with a difference?

We’ve noticed an increasing trend these days for gift boxes. Christmas saw a huge increase in popularity of the Christmas Eve box, with Hobbycraft – the UK’s largest craft retailer – reporting a 129% increase from the year before in items purchased to create these boxes.

A quick Google search reveals many retailers now offering some variation of a gift box for Valentine’s Day. no surprise
there! But why not become a trendsetter – rather than a follower – and create your own gift box this Valentine’s Day?

The first thing you will need is some raw material to make the box. In the spirit of upcycling why not use some wood or other suitable material that is left over from another project. For example if you have recently installed DIY kitchen units then put your old ones to good use.

Once you have the materials there are many online tutorials available about how to make a simple box, for example this one from Creative Mods. But once you have a basic box, the trick is to finish it off in a personalised way that will delight the person who is going to receive it.

Below is an extract of a tutorial from Crafts Unleashed that gives some lovely ideas about how to finish off and decorate a simple gift box.

The first thing to do is to paint it in a colour of your choice. At least two coats are recommended. If you want to add latches to the box, leave them off during the painting process to ensure complete coverage.

Once your box is painted and dry, choose a decorative knob for the top. You may need to trim the end of the drawer knob with a hacksaw so that it does not protrude too far into the box. Then drill a hole in the centre of the box lid and attach the decorative knob to the lid.

If you want to add latches to the box, you can do that at this stage. Either way, you will end up with a lovely box that will not only be a great way to present your gift, but is also something that can be used afterwards.

So for something different this Valentine’s Day, why not make and decorate a personalised gift box for the one you love? It will be a gift they will treasure for years to come. All you then need to decide is what to put inside it!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at DIY Homefit.