Check out these great DIY gift boxes that you can make for birthdays, parties, showers, Christmas or any other special celebration. These use a variety of materials and lots of free printable templates available.

I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those people that thinks that – on occasion – the packaging can be part of the gift. You know what I’m talking about, right?
The Christmas gift that comes in the little box shaped like a gingerbread man. The birthday treats in a special container with confetti in the little clear window.
I guess sometimes I’m like a little kid that enjoys playing with the box more than what’s in it!
I didn’t always feel this way. I used to be the worst gift wrapper on the planet. Just ask my mother! I had a lot to work on in terms of presentation.
It wasn’t until I realized that you could make the gift box or bag a craft in itself that I got more excited about delivering my gifts in handmade vessels that make an impact.
Which brings me to these DIY gift boxes. When you’re giving smaller items for birthdays or the holidays, gift boxes are a must!
Jewelry, keychains, mugs, candles . . . there’s a ton of stuff that is either small or a strange size that goes really well in a box.
And while you’re giving someone a present, why not go ahead and make the container something special too? I’ve got a variety of DIY gift boxes for you to check out – ranging from simple to a little bit more elaborate (gingerbread house!).
But all of them are easy. And all of them add a special touch to what is likely an already amazing gift.
Scroll down to get tons of ideas for making a gift box. Then after you’ve seen the options, let me know what you think in the comments. Enjoy!
DIY Gift Boxes
Every occasion is a perfect time to give someone you love something special. Why not make your gift that much more memorable by including an extra touch? Make one of these DIY gift boxes to give your recipient something special!
Folded Cardstock
Gift boxes can be made in any size you need with this tutorial! Nikki gives you a formula (rather than exact measurements) to make a custom cardstock box out of beautiful papers.
Paper Mache Cake Box
You might be looking at this little birthday gift box and thinking, "I have no time to make that!" Yes you do - it's way easier than it looks! You'll need a glue gun and some tissue paper. This is a very fun craft!
Cardboard Gift Boxes Without a Template
Julie figured out a way to make a straightforward cardboard gift box - with no template! She'll show you how to do it in her blog post. Perfect for smaller Christmas gifts or hanging advent calendars.
Make a Simple Paper Gift Box
If you have a great gift ready but no gift box available, check your craft stash for some pretty papers! This will show you how to make a simple paper gift box and also offers a free template.
Paper Cups
Do you like to use things you might have around the house for gift wrapping? I love making recycled gift packaging, and these paper cups turned DIY gift boxes are genius (and cute!)
Floral with Paper Accents
Learn how to dress up plain gift boxes for teacher gifts, graduations, weddings . . . use this floral gift box for any occasion at all!
DIY Gift Box For Christmas
This simple DIY gift box leaves room for your creativity because you can personalize it with your own patterns and make the boxes double sided! You'll love the double-sided touch because it is SO easy to do.
DIY Gift Boxes with Duck Tape
You can use old cereal boxes or greeting cards to make the bling-iest gift boxes! Pick your sparkly patterns of Duck Tape and get started.
Heart Shaker Gift Box
This DIY gift box has a few more steps than some of the others, but it's still easy peasy! I love the sequins that shake inside the lid. It's like a gift box snowglobe!
DIY Gift Box in a Few Easy Steps (So Cute!)
Make a DIY gift box using a very simple method, along with fabric and Mod Podge! This idea is easy to make and easy to customize.
Fabulous DIY Gift Boxes in Four Easy Steps
While these were originally made for party favors, they would work perfectly for smaller gifts! These simple and cute DIY gift boxes are so easy to make – and use a supply that you already have in your house!
Christmas Cookies
Make these easy cookie gift boxes to deliver all your Christmas treats in style. The lid is equipped with a cute window to show off your treats (just like a professional bakery box!).
DIY Popsicle Favor Boxes
Are they small? Yes. Are they summer themed? Yes. But I don't care. These popsicle gift boxes are too cute not to gift all year! Get the free printables at the post.
How to Make a Paper Gift Box
Want to create your own flower tab paper gift box out of pretty scrapbook paper and add a handmade touch to your next Mother’s Day gift or party favor? Get the easy, breezy tutorial and access to the FREE printable download!
DIY Knotted Fabric Wrapped Favor Boxes
Take some cues from the soft textures and subtle hues of springtime and package up gifts for your next event using this wrapping technique. Mismatched florals and tidy knots create a look that is feminine, tailored, and oh-so-sweet.
How to Make a One Sheet Gift Box
If you're giving away a lot of baked goods this upcoming holiday season, you're going to need some easy DIY gift boxes! You can make this with ONE sheet of 12 x 12" scrapbook paper.
Cute Kitty Themed Paper Gift Box for Kids
Make this fun black cat paper gift box! It’s perfect for someone that has a Halloween birthday, or for any kitty lover in your life.
Little House Gift Boxes
Have a cute idea for a housewarming gift? Then you're going to need this little house gift box! Delia offers the free cut file on her blog.
DIY Paper Box Strawberry
If you're gifting little treats or jewelry, these paper strawberry gift boxes are so cute and will come in handy! The best part is you can also use them as decor or even make a garland with them.
Free Printable Piece of Cake Gift Box
This is such a cute idea to give someone their birthday gift OR use for party favors or celebratory treats! Great for leaving on a coworkers desk, too.
Captivating Kirigami Ten-Sided Gift Box
A first look at this DIY gift box and you might think it's complicated to put together! The truth is, it’s an amazingly simple craft project that you and the kids could try your hand at right now!
Paper Donut Gift Boxes
If you're giving out candy or small edible goodies, these DIY gift boxes are about as cute as it gets! Make them using the provided paper template.
Acetate Foil DIY Gift Boxes
Acetate is a very cool material to make gift boxes out of, especially if you have a Cricut! These gift boxes make great wedding favors, table setting gifts, party favors or just a quick gift filled with candy.
Origami Candy Boxes
Learn how to make a pretty origami candy box! The ends of this cute box slot together and make a cute little gift box that is perfect for holidays or parties.
DIY Get Well Care Package for a Loved One
This is another way to decorate a larger gift box for sending as a get well package! Learn how to make a fabulous care package for a friend or family member that is sick or had surgery. Fill it with items they love!
Fox Gift Box for Woodland Themed Parties
Make a super cute woodland themed gift box with this fun fox craft idea! Kids will love making it and you probably have a lot of the supplies already.
Chinese Takeout Box & Fortune Cookies
These Chinese takeout box printable templates and fortune cookies make for colorful and festive party decor - but also double as party favors and gift boxes.
How To Make A DIY Explosion Box
Learn how to make an explosion box: a unique personalized gift that bursts open with photos and memories as soon as you open it! On the very inside is a small gift box. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, prom-posals and even engagements could be celebrated with an explosion box.
Free Paper Gift Box Template
These DIY favor boxes are super easy to make and you can make it using lots of different types of inexpensive - and even free - materials. Perfect for small wedding gifts for guests too.
Conversation Heart Gift Box Printable
These cute conversation heart boxes are perfect for gift giving this Valentine's Day! You can easily fill them up with little gifts, chocolates or lollies.
Paper Heart Box Tutorial
Make a pretty 3D paper heart gift box. Download the free printable template to make your own DIY heart box, great for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, parties, or weddings!
Easter Carrot Treat Boxes
All you need is some orange cardstock and green ribbon - and Kristen's free template - to make the cutest DIY gift boxes ever for Easter.
DIY Pineapple Boxes
Make your own DIY pineapple box with just paper, scissors, and glue! Then fill with treats and they are the perfect party favor for any summer-y, tropical celebration.
Back to School Pencil Favor Boxes
To celebrate back to school, here are some colorful pencil favor boxes and tiny cute eraser boxes to print that are perfect for teacher gifts or back to school party decorations. Remember those lovely two tone parallelogram erasers? Classics!
Printable Apple Gift Boxes
The start of a new school year is the best time to make a good impression. Wouldn’t it be fun to impress your teacher with an apple treat box?
Ghost Treat Gift Boxes for Halloween
Kate offers seven designs for the cutest Halloween gift boxes ever! They look like milk cartons - that look like ghosts. Darling!
Christmas Gift Box Idea
Kimbo shows you two ways to add holly and leaves to Christmas gift boxes! I absolutely love her ideas, and they're easy enough for beginners.
DIY Gingerbread House Gift Boxes
Gingerbread houses are a holiday classic, but this craft changes them up a bit! This tutorial combines the fun of decorating a gingerbread house with the joy of giving gifts (and it will last much longer than a real gingerbread house)!
Free Printable Treat Boxes for Christmas
These adorable gift boxes for Christmas capture the magic of elf villages seen in Christmas movies. They make perfect Secret Santa presents, stocking stuffers, and even cookie holders. Get your free printable at the post.
Tiny DIY Gift Boxes
Looking for the tiniest gift box ever, maybe for a piece of jewelry - or just for decorating under a mini tree? These are the cutest, and very easy to make!
If you loved making these gift boxes, I hope you’ll visit these other post ideas:
- Easy Party Crafts: 60+ Ideas for a Festive Celebration!
- Handmade Gift Ideas: 50 Cute and Easy Crafts!
- Fabulous Glitter Crafts Made with Mod Podge
- 40+ Gift Wrap Ideas for the Holidays and More