With Christmas right around the corner, there are a million things to do in the way of decorating, list making, gift buying and travel planning. It can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve resolved to have a handmade holiday. Because DIY projects can be a bit of an investment and a little more work, I like to focus on ones that will serve me year round (while staying season-appropriate). It’s easy to get lost in the idea of “doing it yourself” in order to save money and vent some of that creative energy, but the “saving money” part can get tossed out the window fast if a lot of your projects are only useful once or twice a year. On that note, I’d like to introduce Cereal Box Gift Tags!
What’s more Christmas-appropriate than a gift tag (…besides a Christmas tree)?? I was first inspired to make these a few years back when a friend of mine posted a similar project on her blog. I couldn’t find the original post, but definitely hop over to her site for an amazing read and lots of life inspiration. The idea with these gift tags is to stock up on them so you have a great little collection whenever you need to gift! They look like they came from a fancy packaging store and as long as you have cereal boxes in the house, you will never run out.
In addition to sprucing up pretty packages, I plan on using these for all kinds of decor. I’ll be hanging them, scattering them around centerpieces, tying up stacks of them with baker’s twine and attaching them to little faux-gifts for my end tables. The possibilities really are endless! Whatever you choose to use them for, you will love the results – so let’s get started!
You’ll Need
- Cereal Boxes
- Scissors
- A paper punch in the shape of a gift tag – this would save you a lot of time and guarantee perfect alignment, but you can cut your tag shapes by hand if you prefer!
- A hole punch
- Mod Podge (which you can make yourself by mixing 1 part Elmer’s Glue and 1 part water)
- Printed paper (newspaper, book pages, fabric – anything you want!)
- Pen (if you plan to use fabric)
- Paper towels (or a sponge applicator for the Mod Podge)
- Baker’s Twine (or any kind of string you like)
1. Flatten your cereal box and cut all the seams so you have a few solid pieces with no creases.
2. Punch (or cut) your tag shapes.
3. Once your tag shapes are cut, punch (or cut) your paper into identical shapes. If you’re using fabric, you’ll have to cut the shapes by hand. I tried to use my punch with fabric once and it got jammed. When cutting by hand, you’ll have to trace the shapes of your tags to make sure they match.
4. Use a paper towel (or sponge applicator) to brush Mod Podge onto the graphic side of one of your cereal box cutouts and press your printed paper or fabric onto the tag. Make sure the 2 pieces are perfectly aligned! If you’re using a thin paper or fabric that will show the cereal box graphic, simply use the blank side of the box. If you don’t want the cereal box graphic showing on the back, sandwich it with another box tag with the plain sides facing out.
5. Complete the rest of your tags and let them dry. Once dried, punch a hole in the top of each.
6. You’re done!! Store them in a little box with some baker’s twine or start decorating right away!
TIP: If you’re making faux-gifts to decorate with, use unbleached muslin for wrapping. It’s pretty, affordable and you can reuse it over and over again!
I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! What are some easy, money-saving projects you’ll be doing for Christmas this year?
These are really nice looking. Even the whimsy of the cereal box cutouts would make fun gift tags. What great ideas!
Thank you!! Yes you don’t even have to cover the cereal graphics, that would be really cute!
They are so pretty!! : )
Thank you!
Fabulous! Love recycling and I love the tip about bleached Muslin! Wrapping presents in fabric is an easy way for the kids to know that these you do not open.
Thank you! That’s a good point, kids definitely wouldn’t try to unwrap those.
Wow! These are so cute! I never thought to do that, it’s so simple but really effective! Thanks
Thanks!! I’m so glad you like them!!
so pretty!
Thanks for sharing.
Dom.
Craftedblog.com
I’m so glad you liked them!
Hi! I just found you through facebook, you have so many lovely ideas! Such sweet and pretty tags! xo Holly
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you like them, and so glad you found us!
I recycle Christmas cards by cutting them up, punching a hole and using them as gift tags. Usually they are blank on the back side and I can cut portions of the design to reuse.
That’s a great idea! It’s always so nice to find cool ways to use things you’d normally just trash. Thank you for sharing!
I am looking for ideas for a bridal shower….nothing fussy.
These would be great for a bridal shower!
It looks amazing and very beautiful. It makes me happy!
At home we do a lot of upcycling! And keep all the cereal and pizza boxes!
But I was wondering, where can you find a punch/cutter in that shape?
And what is this shape actually called?
Bye!!
Thank you!! Upcycling is great. It feels like such an accomplishment to be resourceful.
I would call the paper cutter a “Tag” shape, and you can purchase the one I used at CreateforLess.com, here!