How to Make a Gift Box Out of Playing Cards

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Make a gift box out of playing cards

How to Make a Gift Box Out of Playing Cards

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Step 1 of 23

Most homes have old decks of cards laying around. Why not recycle them into something useful or unique. Use this box as a gift box or a small storage box. Or just a unique conversation piece.

Step 2 of 23

First I'll show you how to make the walls of the box. Each wall will be made of two playing cards.

Step 3 of 23
Hold two cards together like you see in this image. Use the numbers on the corners as a guide to help center them. You want both ends that stick out to be as equal in length as possible.

Hold two cards together like you see in this image. Use the numbers on the corners as a guide to help center them. You want both ends that stick out to be as equal in length as possible.

Step 4 of 23
Fold both ends down as you see in this image. Try to get the folds to align with the edge of the card as best you can and make sure the folds are squared.

Fold both ends down as you see in this image. Try to get the folds to align with the edge of the card as best you can and make sure the folds are squared.

Step 5 of 23
Turn it over and do the same thing to the other ends that stick out. Remember to keep it as centered as possible.

Turn it over and do the same thing to the other ends that stick out. Remember to keep it as centered as possible.

Step 6 of 23
Now we're going to lock the two cards together to form a sort of tile. Tuck one end of the cards together as you see in this image.

Now we're going to lock the two cards together to form a sort of tile. Tuck one end of the cards together as you see in this image.

Step 7 of 23
Then tuck the flap on the other end on the other side. You end up with two cards locked together.

Then tuck the flap on the other end on the other side. You end up with two cards locked together.

Step 8 of 23

Here's a short video of the locking procedure that holds two cards together to create a tile.

Step 9 of 23
Since a box has 6 sides you'll need to make 6 tiles.

Since a box has 6 sides you'll need to make 6 tiles.

Step 10 of 23
Now we're going to attach the tiles together to form a box. We'll be using playing cards to form a hinge. Stick a playing card between the two cards of one of the tiles about half way.

Now we're going to attach the tiles together to form a box. We'll be using playing cards to form a hinge. Stick a playing card between the two cards of one of the tiles about half way.

Step 11 of 23
Then fold the card in half. You've just made your first hinge.

Then fold the card in half. You've just made your first hinge.

Step 12 of 23
First we'll put the four walls of the box together. So put another hinge card on the opposite end of your first tile as you see in this image.

First we'll put the four walls of the box together. So put another hinge card on the opposite end of your first tile as you see in this image.

Step 13 of 23
Then slide tiles onto the hinges. Repeat this until you have all four sides of the box hinged together.

Then slide tiles onto the hinges. Repeat this until you have all four sides of the box hinged together.

Step 14 of 23
Here's what it'll look like when all four sides are hinged together. Next we'll put a bottom on the box.

Here's what it'll look like when all four sides are hinged together. Next we'll put a bottom on the box.

Step 15 of 23
Take another tile and put four hinges on it as you see in this image.

Take another tile and put four hinges on it as you see in this image.

Step 16 of 23
Then slide the four walls onto the four hinges.  The easiest way is to start one hinge. Then align the sides into the grooves. Then work the final hinge in place.

Then slide the four walls onto the four hinges. The easiest way is to start one hinge. Then align the sides into the grooves. Then work the final hinge in place.

Step 17 of 23
Here's the final box minus the lid. This can be used as a small storage box or pencil holder. Next well put a lid on the box.

Here's the final box minus the lid. This can be used as a small storage box or pencil holder. Next well put a lid on the box.

Step 18 of 23
Simply hinge the final tile onto the top of the box.

Simply hinge the final tile onto the top of the box.

Step 19 of 23
You can also make the box stay closed by adding another hinge/tongue. Push the card in all the way so only about an inch sticks out.

You can also make the box stay closed by adding another hinge/tongue. Push the card in all the way so only about an inch sticks out.

Step 20 of 23
Then tuck it in. The box will now stay closed.

Then tuck it in. The box will now stay closed.

Step 21 of 23
Put a little pencil mark on the top edge so you'll be able to find where to open the box. Trust me. You'll have a hard time finding it.

Put a little pencil mark on the top edge so you'll be able to find where to open the box. Trust me. You'll have a hard time finding it.

Step 22 of 23

Keep in mind that you can also make one with the faces of the cards out instead of the back. Poker players might enjoy a box made of aces. You can also use more tiles to make a large box or structure

Step 23 of 23

Enjoy!!!

You're Done

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michigan
I'm a semi professional magician. Graphic designer. I've been deaf almost 20 years but i can hear now thanks to the cochlear implant I got almost 2 years ago.

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16 Comments
Supplies

22 playing cards

Felipe L

A little bit of a learning curve but I was able to figure it out. What an awesome end product! I used old trivia cards and it turned out pretty well. Definitely will have to use for some future gifts. Thanks for sharing!

Felipe L 4 months ago

Ron Jaxon

I'm glad he liked it.

(author) 5 months ago

Joanna Bewley

Gave this project to my 14 yr old son to do today. He was successful, and liked the end result. Thanks!

Joanna Bewley 5 months ago

Trula R

Wow! You need a lot of cards and time, but it sure looks awesome!

Trula R 6 months ago

jen n

just made it. insanely awesome. imma make another. :D thanks.

jen n 12 months ago

jen n

sweetness

jen n 12 months ago

Spencer Jarvis

Amazing. Ty

Spencer Jarvis last year

Hussain Kadhim

Great guide jaxon ;D

Hussain Kadhim last year

Les Chester

Very nice. Thanks.

Les Chester last year

Christian Otto Sparre

You need 22 cards, right?

Christian Otto Sparre last year

Han Seok Kim

Wondeful!

Han Seok Kim last year

Shameeka Baker

Love it

Shameeka Baker last year

Kaitlin Heather

I can't wait to make this, perfect idea!

Kaitlin Heather last year

Sidney Shoemaker

Like it

Sidney Shoemaker last year

Random Practice

I made this and it looks AWSOME I did some face and some back looks pretty cool. Thanks

Random Practice last year

Krystle Bailey

Awesome!!! I'll definitely be trying this for fathers day for my hubby. He's a poker player. :) thanks for sharing!!

Krystle Bailey last year

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Denise Amlie

Very cool and easy project!

Denise Amlie 5 months ago

Helen Rowland

Nice

Helen Rowland 5 months ago

Michelle Sibrian

This is totally cool! I will definitely try this.

Michelle Sibrian 5 months ago