How to Make a Mother's Day Hug in a Box

A Hug in a Box allows mothers to "hug" their children when the child is gone.

The Hug in a Box is essentially an empty box decorated with decoupage and contains a pleasant note to let the mother know how to use the box. Or give the gift to any special person in your life by simply rewording the note.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Bowl
• Paintbrush
• Shoe box
• 5-by-7 inch card stock paper
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Cut 2-by-2 inch squares of tissue paper in various colors. Decoupaging requires many layers of paper to give the box a colorful and vibrant appearance.

2. Mix 2 parts glue with 1 part water to dilute the glue. Add the mixture to a bowl and stir until the glue and water mix together.

3. Brush the glue mixture onto a section of the shoe box and attach a piece of tissue paper. Next to the tissue paper, brush another section and apply another piece of tissue. Continue to apply glue to the box and attach tissue paper until the entire box is covered in tissue.

4. Apply a layer of the glue mixture over the tissue paper and repeat the layering process. The glue mixture may make the tissue paper transparent; therefore, layer several layers of tissue paper to the box. If the box has a lid, the tissue paper can layer directly over the seam because the box won't open for the gift.

5. Brush the box with a final layer of the glue mixture once all of the tissue is applied. The final glue layer will ensure the tissue paper is stuck to the box and will give the box a shiny appearance.

6. Type or write the note on a 5-by-7 inch piece of card stock to attach to the box. The note can contain any wording, but Homemade Gifts made Easy suggests:

   "This is a very special gift

   That you can never see

   The reason it's so special is

   It's just for you from me.

   Whenever you are lonely

   Or are ever feeling blue

   You only have to hold this gift

   And know I'm hugging you.

   You never can unwrap it

   Please leave the ribbon tied

   Just hold the box close to your heart

   It's filled with hugs inside."

7. Punch a hole in the corner of the note with a hole puncher.

8. Wrap a ribbon around the box. Before tying the ribbon into a bow, slip one end strand through the hole in the card and string onto the ribbon. Tie the ribbon into a bow.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap the box in wrapping paper if decoupage is not an option.

• Customize the box for any person, such as a father, brother, aunt or cousin.

• Present the gift for other holidays, such as birthdays and Christmas, to your mother.

References

• Kaboose; Decoupage Collage Box; Amanda Formaro
• Martha Stewart: Decoupage Boxes
• Story Soup Kids: Mother's Day Poems
• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Box of Love; Mary Ruthven;