Giving Handmade

When it comes to gift giving I'm more a Jack Donaghy then a Liz Lemon. I spend hours distilling what I know about the recipient, divining the perfect gift to say how well I know them. A good gift is a reflection of the qualities you love in a person. Normally the thought of a gift card makes me feel lazy, but sometimes it's the perfect thing. This year one of my coworkers is a serious coffee addict, and I knew right away that a gift card for his favorite coffee shop was practically the only option. To make it personal, I made a cute gift card holder from materials you can find around the house. The best part? It's so easy to make, even Tracy Jordan could do it! So whatever you celebrate this time of year, make one of these gift card holders and give a gift your friends can cherish long after the balance on the card runs out!

You will need:

- old magazines, preferably something that reflects the interest of the recipient
- clear packing tape
- scissors
- a pen
- a ruler or measuring device (as you can see, I used a strip of cardboard!)


To make your gift card holder:

Step 1. Select the images you want to see on the front of your gift card holder. I chose this blue skeleton illustration by Andy Howell. For the back, a more abstract blue piece, and finally the black and white print for the inside. The interior is completely optional, but you'll need at least two pieces for the front and back. Look for themes and objects that remind you of the person you're making it for, or interesting textures, colors, and patterns.

Step 2. Once you have selected your magazine pages, it's time to measure your gift card.

You can use a ruler, but for me a straight strip of cardboard works just fine. Mark the width (W) and length (L) on your cardboard, or write your measurements on a separate piece of paper. Add 1/4 inch in either direction to allow enough room for your gift card to slide in and out easily. Use this measurement to cut out the rectangle for the back of your gift card sleeve. This rectangle will now be the template for your other four pieces.

 

Step 3. Gently lay strips of packing tape over the top of the cut out, being careful to avoid air bubbles or creases. Leave some tape overlapping the edges, then flip it over and repeat, sticking the tape to itself along the sides.

Repeat with each piece, and trim around edges leaving a small margin of tape, about 1/16th of an inch. Now you should have four (or two) laminated rectangles. Place the back of an outside piece against the back of an inside piece and repeat the process to create a rectangle with your design sealed in on both sides. 

Step 4. After carefully trimming these pieces, line them up for the last round of tape. Lay them on top of each other with the right sides out and begin the taping process one more time, but leave one edge free with no tape overlapping. This will become the opening for your gift card sleeve.

Seal the edges and trim one last time. As you trim each progressive layer, leave an additional 1/16th of an inch to make sure the tape has enough surface area to adhere to itself. If you accidentally trim through the tape, the layers will split apart. Just add another layer of tape until the sleeve is sealed on three sides and smooth around the edges. 

Step 5. Check your sleeve for holes, then insert your gift card! Spend your remaining craft time sitting in front of a mirror, practicing looking humble when your friend explodes with excitement at your gift presentation expertise.

Ta da! Now you have a sweet personalized way to give a gift card! And the best part? This sleeve can be reused as a credit card holder or wallet, making it a DOUBLE GIFT! Gee, aren't you thoughtful!!