How to make a Gift Box with Plastic bottles

We all have Gift Boxes hiding in our cupboards …. we just need to open our eyes to the possibilities

They are in our Pantries, Laundries, Fridges and Bathrooms

 

These Gift Boxes are in fact repurposed from plastic bottles and the ribbons from strips of plastic bread bags

I have used three styles of bottles:

1. Clear – P.E.T. Soda bottle
2. Opaque – White Vinegar bottle
3. Blue – Liquid Laundry Detergent bottle

 

Material: 

• Ruler
• Utility Knife
• Marker Pen
• Sharp Scissors
• Empty Plastic Bottle
• Methylated Spirits to remove template marks
• Coin and Plate or Bottle with curved edges for tracing

 Optional:

• If you have traces of glue to remove, Essential Oils such as Orange Oil, Eucalyptus Oil or Tea Tree Oil, applied with a lint-free rag, will normally do the job
• Ribbon to seal your Gift Box

Method:

Step 1:

• Remove labels from your empty plastic bottle. If the label and glue are firmly affixed, rub a little essential oil and rub with a lint-free rag

Step 2:

• Use your Marker Pen and Ruler to draw a line around the circumference of the Plastic Bottle at your desired height.  Keep in mind that the final height will be smaller once you fold over the edges 

Step 3

Step 3:

• Use your Utility Knife to cut through the Plastic Bottle along the line you have just marked.

Warning:  Be careful with the utility knife as the plastic will be slippery

Step 4:

• Measure the diameter of the opening of your bottle
• Halve this measurement, then add around 25mm  [ 1 inch ]
• Use this latter figure to mark down the sides from the four corners  [ or, if your bottle is totally circular, 90 degrees apart]  of your Plastic Bottle 

Step 4:

Step 5:

• Use a Plate or Bottle as a template to mark a tulip shape from the rim of your Plastic Bottle to the points you have just marked

Step 5:

Step 6:

• Use your Scissors to cut around these marks
• Cut slightly wider between each petal to allow room for folding

Step 6:

Step 7:

• Option One:  Use the plastic off-cut as your template to draw around to mark a tab and cut using Scissors  [ see opaque Gift Box ]
• Option Two:  Draw an arc with a Marker Pen using a Coin as your template and cut using Scissors  [ see blue Gift Box ]

Step 7 – Option 1

Step 7 – Option 1

Step 7 – Option 1

Step 8:

• Use some Methylated Spirits to remove any pen marks

Step 9:

Step 9:

• Fold in your smaller side petals

Step 10:

Step 10:

• Fold in your larger tabbed petal over and into the opposite petal to close and secure with a ribbon or decorate as you like

About Growing Snowballs

I have been described as Savvy; a Bargain Hunter and Tight. My fav is Value Shopper. I love a bargain to save money. I do this in-store, online, buying 2nd hand, recycling & upcycling. This is good for my pocket & good for this Planet. Check out some of my quirky projects as well as read about how you too can save yourself some money & time.

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How to Save Money by making your own Gift Boxes ›

Tagged with: #upcycle, budget, Christmas, craft, DIY, doityourself, economical, environmental, frugal, giftideas, giftwrap, handmade, homemade, money, plastic, recycle, repurpose, savemoney, second life, shopping, storage, Xmas;
Posted in crafts & home, gift ideas, Repurpose