Don't toss those Holiday cards or any greeting cards!  Turn them into little boxes which will be just right for a pair of earrings or a pin.  these little boxes can hold a mint on a place setting for a party, or hold money for children.  Bead enthusiasts will want them for giving a special bead to a friend. 

Measure and cut carefully.  After your first little box is finished you'll be hooked and eager to find how a card will turn out as as it becomes a little box. 

Materials Needed:   
     A ruler, pencil, and scissors plus a clean firm surface to work on.  Don't forget to bring last 
     years greeting cards! 

Directions:  
1.  Choose a card and cut along the fold. 

2.  With a ruler, measure the front piece of the card.  Most cards are rectangular in shape.  

3.  You are going to square this piece to make the largest square you can.  In example 1 that would be a 5 1/2 X 5 1/2.  On the reverse side draw the line that will indicate where to cut to make your square.  Be sure your measurements are accurate. 

4.  Now you have the square for the top of your box.  You will have centered the part of the design on the card in the center of the square so that the top of the box is pretty and takes advantage of the beauty of the card. 

5.  Now you square the second half of the card for the bottom of the box. 
The bottom piece must be 1/4 inch smaller than the top of the box. 

6.  On the reverse side of square #1 draw the diagonal lines to fix the center point using a pencil and a light touch as shown in example 2. 

7.  Fold each corner to the center, making a smaller square.  Then fold two straight sides up to the center as shown in example 3. 

9.  Cut the two lines as shown in the diagram, up to the corners of the center square that will form the top of the box.  Two opposite sides are cut, the other two remain intact. 

10.  Now you will fold the box lid.  Your square will have two wings.  Turn the wings toward you and fold them into the smaller center square.  Turn and fold the opposite side into the center (two sides of your box are up, the wings will cover their ends and secure the box). 

12.  Follow the instructions to complete the bottom of the box.  Since it's 1/4 inch smaller than the top, it will fit snugly to complete your little box. 

13.  Put something fun in your little box! 

After the holidays, kids can have fun with greetings cards too!  Give them some decorative scissors and let them cut out pretty parts of the cards to create gift tags.  A hole punch on top will allow you to attach the card with ease next year.  Kids can also be given the job of writing "To:" and "From:" on the back of the little tags! 

Kids really love recycling and may even want to take some used wrapping paper to create more gift tags!  If the paper is too thin, have them glue it to a piece of construction paper first!