Upcycled Packaging

With five-year-olds, presentation is everything. Do I think she's going to love this vintage Cabbage patch doll? Of course. But what's going to make her squeal with delight when she sees it on Christmas morning? Probably not a doll wrapped in a potty chair box. Want to learn how to turn any old box into a customized package? Follow me!


First I went to the dollar store and found this pretty striped wrapping paper. I wanted something that wasn't too busy. Then I looked in the recycling for a box I could re-use, and just happened to find one with a window! I knew it would be perfect for a doll. I put the doll and her matching dress in the box and sealed the bottom.

Then I cut a piece of wrapping paper long enough to wrap around the whole box and about 2 inches wider than the box.

Start at the back of the box and coat it with mod podge. Cover it with the paper.

Work your way around the box.

When you get to side of the box that has the window put the paper over it but don't mod podge it yet. Run your fingernail over the edge of the window so that it slightly creases the paper.

Cut along the creases until you have cut out a hole in the paper the same as the window.

Because of the funny shaped cut out on the top right of the window I decided to cut a simple circle instead of the exact shape.

See? That looks nicer I think.

Mod podge the front and lay the paper over it being careful to line up the hole to the window.

(NOTE: I know it's bubbly. Try your best to smooth it out but if it's bubbly don't worry. It'll look better when we finish the last step. Honestly, I wasn't really going for perfect here, I was going for "doesn't look like a potty box.")

Finish the last side of the box. Then fold the overlapping edges down and mod podge them to the box.

Cut out a piece of wrapping paper the same dimensions as the top and bottom of the box and mod podge them on.

Ta Da! It's looking good!

Next to decorate. I found this image on Google Images and printed it out. I cut it out and mod podged it to the box. See how it takes care of that awkward part in top right?

Ok, things may be looking a little rough but the next step will make all the difference.

Coat the whole thing with mod podge and wait until it dries. This final coat will smooth out a lot of the bubbles and make it look extra polished. When it's dry add a great big bow to the top and voila!

Now, I realize you may not have a box with a window conveniently laying around, so tomorrow I'll show you how to cut a window out of a regular wipes box. Stay tuned!