Christmas day is a whirlwind
of smiles and laughter packed
inside tiny boxes.

Papier-Mache Boxes

• 25 papier-mache boxes in various sizes
• Spray paint: glossy white and metallic gold
• Computer and printer or stencils for box numbers
• Sharp pencil
• Translucent vellum paper, Elegant Cream Leaf (#105-01-003) (look in the scrapbook aisle of crafts stores)
• Extrafine-tip gold-metallic permanent marking pen
• Spray adhesive
• Glue stick
• Sharp, straightedge razor blades
• Small round white stickers
• Assorted gold trims, rickrack, and laces
• Gold and white string beads
• Hot-glue gun, glue sticks
• Crafts glue

1. Spray-paint the inside and outside surfaces of several box lids metallic gold. Use glossy white to spray-paint the box bases and remaining lids, covering both outside and inside surfaces. Apply additional coats of paint to the boxes as needed for complete coverage. Let dry completely.

2. Print out the numbers 1 through 25 on the computer, using numerals and/or spelling out the words in a variety of type styles. Refer to the photographs for idea. Print out the bible verses on page 35 using a type size that fits inside box lids.

3. Measure the height and perimeter of each box base. To cover the sides of each box base, cut out a rectangular piece of vellum paper using the box's measurements. Depending on the perimeter measurement, it may be necessary to cut more than one piece of vellum.

4. Decide where the number will be placed on each box and its corresponding piece of vellum. Lay the vellum over the desired number on the computer printout. Use a sharp pencil to lightly trace the number onto the vellum.

5. To decorate the boxes, apply several coats of white or gold spray paint. Then add easy elegant texture by covering the boxes with a transparent vellum paper. Finish with a flourish of golden trims. Print a Bible verse using a type size that fits inside the box lid.

6. Cut a piece of vellum paper to fit inside each box lid, and trace the Bible verses onto the vellum in the same manner. Use the extrafine-tip gold-metallic marking pen to outline and color in the numbers and verses; let dry.

7. Apply spray adhesive to the sides of a box base and the wrong side of the vellum. Apply more glue to the top and bottom edges of the box base with glue stick.

8. Starting at the back of the ox, wrap vellum around the base. Use your fingers to smooth vellum into place, and butt edges if more than one piece is required. If vellum extends beyond edges of box, trim off the excess with a straightedge blade. Repeat for other boxes.

9. Glue the vellum with verses inside the lids. For the glossy-white lids, cut more vellum paper to cover the tops of the lids, and glue into place.

10. Embellish the boxes, referring to the photos for ideas. Use the gold metallic marking pen to add narrow stripes to the edges of some lids. Press the small round stickers onto the tops and sides of the metallic-gold lids. Use crafts glue to attach string beads and rickrack to some lid and base edges. Attach lave to the sides of some lids with a hot-glue gun.