Tiny Christmas Boxes

Last week when the one family of grands stayed with us for a few days, I saw again how they love to work with paper. They can keep busy for a long time drawing and coloring. Natalie also loves it when I let her get into my boxed cards, so she can write cards to people.
Something reminded me of how, years ago, our kids made tiny boxes, using recycled Christmas cards, and somehow I knew this could still go over well today.

To begin, I showed them a video I found on line and then, with some 

reminders, they went to it.

First they cut the card at the fold. 

Then they marked an X across the inside page, drawing  diagonal lines from one corner to the next.

For the top of the box (the picture part) they

folded the edges of all four sides to the center of the X

(these lines should be as crisp as possible)

When all four sides were folded,

they cut into the short end along the vertical fold just  toward the horizontal fold.

Next, they folded in the ends, overlapping the center and folding it over the top of the box,

then taping it in place.

This was repeated with the inside page of the card to make the bottom,

this time folding the edges a bit past the center of the X, to make it a wee bit smaller.

To cover any written words, you can line the box with tissue.

They were very proud of their boxes

and in no time each box had something small tucked in and was assigned to a lucky receiver. 

From precious memories of friends and family sending wishes
to this present day of cutting and folding -
I'm reminded again of how the past and the present meet in a wonderful cycle of life.
There were cards in the mix that may have been 20 or 30 years old
and I never would have guessed that my grandchildren would be the ones to use them.
It was definitely time.