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Overview
On Valentine's Day, or any special day of the year, handmade sweets are a lovely gift to give that special person in your life. And presented in beautiful packaging will push the "wow" factor over the edge. Here are 3 DIY ideas for designing and decorating your own gift boxes. While cardboard works perfectly well, keep in mind that wooden boxes are ideal as they can be repurposed for other gifts or keepsakes…and last as long as love itself.
Decorated boxes 
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What You\’ll Need
WASHI TAPE BOX: 4 rolls of Washi tape; scissors; box. THREADED HEART BOX: Pin tool or stylus; embroidery thread and needle; scissors; heart shaped box. PAINTED BEADED BOX: Beads; hot glue gun; compartmentalized box; craft paint and paint brush (nail polish or food coloring would work too).
Supplies 
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Washi tape box, cover the top
Cover the top of the box with rows of different-patterned tape, butting up to one another horizontally.
Washi tape box- Step 1 
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Washi tape box, finish the top\’s sides
Using another piece of tape, carefully tape around the side of the lid of the box.
Washi tape box- Step 2 
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Washi tape box- tape the base
Starting all the tape rolls at the same corner of the box, wrap each band horizontally around the box. Overlap each row of tape 1/4 inch, and then cut the tape in a straight line to keep a neat edge.
Washi tape box- Step 3 
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Washi tape box
This box is ready to gift and only took a few minutes to decorate.
Washi tape box finished 
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Embroidered heart box- poke holes in box top
Using your pin tool, punch equidistant holes 1/4 inch from the side, 1/4 inch apart. A square jewel was used here as a guide for spacing.
Embroidered heart box-Step 1 
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Embroidered heart box- start sewing
Starting your thread at the back, pull it through to the front and weave it between the holes horizontally.
Embroidered heart box-Step 2 
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Embroidered heart box- horizontally stitch
Continue to horizontally stitch the box, ending the stitch at the back then tying a knot at the back of the inside of the box.
Embroidered heart box-Step 3 
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Embroidered heart box- vertically stitch
Using another color thread, stitch vertically between the top of the heart and the bottom moving from the center line out towards each side. Make several layers of vertical and horizontal stitches if desired.
Embroidered heart box-Step 4 
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Finished embroidered heart
The embroidered heart takes a little more time than the Washi tape heart but the result is a charming mix of fiber and wood.
Finished embroidered heart 
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Painted beaded box
Using your first paint color, paint the top of the box. I used nail polish (which needs a longer airing time), though craft paint or even food coloring would work to color the box.
Painted beaded box- Step 1 
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Painted beaded box- Washi tape the inside lip
Since this is a clear box, finishing the inside of the top is a nice touch. Run Washi tape along the inside top lip and trim with scissors to keep a nice clean edge.
Painted beaded box- Step 2 
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Painted beaded box, paint the base
Paint the base of the box.
Painted beaded box- Step 3 
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Painted beaded box, bead the top
Add a line of hot glue and press beads into the top of the box.
Painted and beaded box- Step 4 
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Finished beaded painted box
The beaded painted box is a quick project that doesn't require many supplies and just a little time.
Final painted beaded box 
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Decorated boxes
Use your imagination to come up with other variations of these simple boxes to cater to the tastes of the receivers. Have fun!
Decorated boxes
