5 simple tutorials for DIY cardboard holiday crafts

Written by Jessy Howe

Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive… or difficult! With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, take some time to unwind and create simple DIY holiday crafts on a little or no budget! Plan an evening with the girls to make fun holiday décor or set aside time with your children and make it a family night. Our 5 DIY holiday crafts are the perfect addition to your home or can be gifted away. Yes, they look that good!

Holiday card holder

Rather than let your holiday cards stack up on the counter among your mail, display them beautifully on a tree-shaped card holder!

Supplies:

1 large box
Green and brown felt squares (we bought the ones with adhesive on the back!)
Ribbon
Mini clothes pins
Box cutter
Hot glue gun

Step 1: Draw out the shape of your tree in pencil and use your box cutter to cut it out. I’d recommend working on carpet to avoid scratching any surfaces or tile.

Step 2: Use your green adhesive felt squares to cover your tree, trimming off the areas that overhang. Use your brown felt square to cover the tree trunk.

Step 3: Wrap your ribbon across the tree so it looks like garland, gluing the ends to the backside of the cut out. Be sure the ribbon is not too loose or your cards will weigh it down causing it to sag. You will also want to attach ribbon on the back to easily hang your card holder.

Step 4: Use your mini clothes pins to begin attaching your cards!

 

Modern tree display

Let me just start with this: even for the “not-so-crafters” it is impossible to fail at this project and it takes all of 20 minutes to complete. Boom, crafting win!

Supplies:

1 medium box
Box cutter
Christmas lights

Step 1: Draw various-sized triangles on your box to resemble trees. Use your box cutter to cut them out.

Step 2: Poke holes through the cardboard, but be sure they aren’t too large.

Step 3: Poke the ends of your Christmas lights through the holes and display in your home! You can include other elements to set a scene or place it with some greenery in front of a fireplace, get creative!

 

JOY door hang

Welcome your holiday visitors with a festive door! The beauty of this is you can spell anything you want, for example your last name. However I will warn, although this is by no means difficult, it is more time consuming than I thought it would be. But being greeted by it each time I arrive home makes it well worth it.

Supplies:

1 small box
Box cutter
One bundle of yarn (depending on the length of your word)
Ribbon
Hot glue gun
Any other accents you want to add
Step 1: Trace and cut out the letters of what you would like to spell.

Step 2: Begin wrapping your letters in yarn occasionally using hot glue on the front and back to ensure it is secure.

Step 3: Add any accents you would like. I couldn’t resist these metallic snowflakes!

Step 4: Attach ribbon to the back of your letters and hang on your doorway! I also think these letters would be great to sit on top of a mantle if you prefer to display them in your home.

 

Holiday garland

This DIY is great because it is so versatile. It is perfect to string around your tree, hang across your window, or incorporate into your holiday tablescape.

Supplies:

1 small box OR the remaining box flaps from any of the crafts above
Scissors
Glitter
Ribbon
Hot glue gun

Step 1: Trace and cut out the shapes you wish to have on your garland. To help, you can either print images from your home computer and cut around them or use cookie cutters to trace the shapes.

Step 2: After you cut your shapes out, poke small holes through them to string your ribbon through. I decided to double up on the ribbon to get a little more colorful.

Step 3: Use your hot glue gun to dot your shapes and cover with glitter and you’re finished. I chose to add the glitter accent to both sides of my cut outs.

 

Glitter snowflakes

Giant glittered snowflakes hanging from your ceiling, what could be better? These make a beautiful addition above your tree, dinner table, and really anywhere in your home!

Supplies:

1 medium box
Box cutter
Spray adhesive
Glitter
Clear elastic

Step 1: Trace a snowflake pattern or create your own and cut out.

Step 2: Spray your cutout with spray adhesive from 6-8 inches away. It is best to do this in a well ventilated or outside area.

Step 3: Cover your snowflake in glitter! Repeat this on the other side and let them dry.

Step 4: Hang your snowflakes using clear elastic to give them a floating effect.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these fun DIY holiday crafts! If you are in need of boxes, we are here to help! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has a variety of boxes tailored to your needs that can be picked up at a location near you.

For more box inspiration, follow us on Pinterest! If you create any of these crafts, we’d love to see them! Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.