Creating a Custom Box for my German Pickle Ornament

Well, as you may have read I have moved back to a German town in Minnesota, where I raised my children. It's a lovely little town and I am so glad that I moved back. Life is good.

One of the traditions my family and I picked up, when we moved here, originally in 1990, was the German Christmas Pickle Ornament. It was always something my kids looked forward to on Christmas morning. We purchased this "pickle" in a wonderful shop they used to have here called The Christmas Store, where they had all things Christmas. The Christmas Store became an extension of the original gift shop (Lambrechts). Both shops are now closed an another owner has a gift shop that is similar to the original shop. Ironically the owner's mother lives across from me in my new apartment. But I digress.

The tradition is, this pickle is hidden on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and the first one who finds it on Christmas morning gets an extra Christmas present. Hmm I wonder if this is why my adolescent son, woke up and opened his Christmas presents as 12:01 a.m. on Christmas morning and video taping himself doing it. He's always been very legalist. :-)

Here is the pickle and the finished box. I love that it has a window and fits my ornament exactly (you can find these in my store, on this website to purchase as a gift and start your own tradition).

The dimensions of your custom box will depend on what you are going to put in it. I've seen these used for gifts, chocolates, note cards, etc.

Start out by measuring the height (depth), length and width of the item.

TOP: My ornament was 4 1/4 inches long, about 2 1/4 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches deep (height). I decided to make the box 4-3/4" long, 2 -3/4" wide and 1-1/2" deep. Then I added the depth to each side of the length and width (4-3/4" + 1-1/2" + 1-/2") AND 2-3/4" + 1-1/2 + 1-1/2"). So the paper size is 7-3/4 by 5-3/4".

BOTTOM: For the bottom I cut the paper almost the same size less 1/16" on both the long and short side, so the bottom would fit inside the top. I found this an easier way than to adjust my scoring. You can do whatever works best for you.

Then I scored both the top and the bottom at 1-1/2" on all four sides. For step by step instructions check out my video:

I like to use my retired DSP and ribbon for my craft projects. Anything you have on hand will work. I also put a window in my box so that people can see what is in the box. You can skip this if you want it to be a surprise. Since these will be offered at my craft sale, I find people like to see what is in the box without opening it.

I also placed the story of the Christmas Pickle in the bottom of the box.

Stampin' Up!© Products used, they are available in my Stampin' Up store :https://sharonbrennan.stampinup.net/?demoid=2162064

Rectangle Dies #151820

Window Sheets #142314

Tear & Tape #154031

Stampin' Seal+ #149699

Take Your Pick Tool #144107

Paper Snips Scissors #103579

Multipurpose Glue #110755

Hope & Peace stamp set #159773 (July - Dec 2022 Mini Catalog)

VersaMark ink pad #102283

Embossing Additions (embossing powder tray and accessories) #159971

Heat Tool #129053

Banner Pick A Punch #153608

Embossing Powder (Metallics combo, silver, gold & copper) #155555

Bone Folder #102300

Rhinestones Basic Jewels #114220

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Images: Stampin' Up!©