DIY Graduation Gift Box – For Gift Cards and Small Treats!
Learn how to make these fun gift boxes for graduates using cardstock and a cutting machine. Grab the free SVG cut file which includes two sizes and a gift card holder insert!
Hello Crafty Friends! With graduation season upon us I wanted to share these fun graduation-themed gift boxes that are perfect for our 2024 graduates! Create these boxes using black and gold cardstock as I did or use cardstock that matches the graduates school colors!
I used my Cricut Explore and making these was a quick project. You only need two supplies – cardstock and adhesive. The cut file comes in two sizes. One that is smaller and perfect for small treats and candy. This is a great size to use for graduation party favors! The second size is larger and comes with a gift card insert making it the perfect gift card holder to use as a graduation gift.
Graduation Gift Boxes
Choosing the Paper
For my treat boxes, I like to choose a sturdy cardstock that is also solid core. Solid core means the paper is the same color on the outside as it is on the inside.
White core, or printed cardstock, is paper that is colored on just the front and back and the inside is white. I find when cutting with my cutting machine, that solid core cardstock gives a more polished look and there are no white “paper fuzzines” visible that may distract from the design.
For these boxes, I used black 65lb cardstock from Michaels and a gold glitter paper also from Michaels, both Recollections brand. If the boxes will be holding something heavy, add a piece of cardboard to the bottom of the box after it is assembled.
Supplies Needed
- Graduation Gift Box file – grab the free SVG files by filling out the purple form at the end of this post.
- Black and gold glitter cardstock – between 65-80lbs
- Adhesive – I used 1/8″ Scor-Tape and 1/4″ Scor-Tape, a strong double-sided tape
- Cutting machine – I used my Cricut Explore
- Standard cutting mat
- Cricut cutting tools
- Scoring stylus for cutting machine or scoring board and stylus if scoring by hand.
- If cutting by hand – scissors, craft knife and self-healing cutting mat
Prepare the File in Cricut Design Space
Download and save the free graduation gift box file to your computer. Start a new project in Cricut Design Space and upload the file. Insert the file into your project. Start by selecting the entire project and ungrouping the image.
The cut file includes score lines for both the box lid, box bottom and gift card insert if you are using it. If your cutting machine does not have score lines, I recommend deleting these layers and scoring the boxes by hand using the scoring guide included with the cut file.
If your machine has a scoring stylus like my Cricut Explore, highlight these layers and change their operation from basic cut to score.
Next, attach the score lines to the layer they belong to using the attach button at the bottom right. The group will move to the top of the layers panel and the word “Attach” will appear on top of the group.
The box is ready to cut. You can change the colors of the pieces and also the size. If you do resize the box, be sure to select everything before resizing to make sure the lid will fit the bottom of the box.
Cutting the Star Boxes
Step One: Cut the three box pieces. The smaller box will fit on a sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper and two small boxes will fit on a 12″ x 12″ piece of paper. If you using the larger box with the gift card holder insert it will take two 8.5″ x 11″ sheets of paper.
Assembling the Graduation Gift Boxes
Step Two: Fold the box along the score lines. Use a bone folder to go over the folded edges for crisp folds.
Step Three: Place the square piece of paper behind the lid cut out. I used 1/8″ Scor-Tape around the edges of the square and attached it. You can use cardstock as I did or use clear craft plastic to create a peekaboo window. I like the shimmer the gold glitter paper adds to the boxes!
Step Four: Use double-sided tape to adhere the box pieces together. I used 1/4″ Scor-Tape on the flaps for the bottom of the box, box lid and gift card holder insert. Use the taps to attach the box and form the pieces.
Fill the Boxes
The boxes are assembled and ready to be filled ! These make adorable party favors for a graduation party. I chose to fill mine with gold chocolate Kisses.
The cardstock you use is most likely not food-safe, so I recommend using wrapped treats. You could also put unwrapped treats like cookies into clear plastic bags before they go into the boxes, or wrap them in parchment paper.
The larger size box is perfect for holding a gift card. Place the gift card insert into the box and slide a gift card under the top and bottom circular tabs to hold it in place.
Get the Free Graduation Gift Box Files!
Fill out the purple form below with your first name and email address! The free file will be sent straight to your inbox. If you have already filled out the form below, don’t worry – you won’t be added to my list twice! This freebie is for personal use only. I hope you enjoy crafting something special. Please let me know if you have any questions :)
