DIY Winter Wonderland Gift Wrap

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When I was a little tyke, one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime was going to the mall to see the department store windows decked out with miniature dioramas of holiday scenes. Since I'm still a kid at heart, here's a gift wrap idea inspired by these tiny winter wonderlands. In this display, a car carrying a freshly cut tree on its roof is driving along a country road surrounded by snowbanks and snowmen—and everything's taking place on the lid of a reusable gift box. It's definitely a beautiful sight, so happy tonight, gifting with this winter wonderland.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

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Things You'll Need

  • Box with lid

  • White felt

  • Hot glue gun

  • Wrapping paper

  • Tape

  • Black duct tape

  • Miniature toy car

  • Bottle brush tree

  • Twine

  • Artificial pine sprigs

  • Small styrofoam balls

  • Black and orange paper

  • Glue

  • Twigs

  • Ribbon

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 1: Cover Box Lid in White Felt

To create this gift wrap project, you'll need a box with a lid like a shoebox or photo storage box. We'll be decorating primarily on the lid, so the winter wonderland display will stay intact when the gift is opened.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Cut a piece of white felt that will fit around the box lid. Hot glue the felt to the top and sides of the lid.

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The lid will look like it's covered in a blanket of snow.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 2: Wrap the Main Box

Cut a piece of holiday wrapping paper that will fit around the main box, and adhere it to the sides and bottom with tape. Put the box aside for now.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 3: Create the Road

Tear off a piece of black duct tape, and apply it diagonally across the felt-covered box lid. We now have a road that's ready for cars.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 4: Add the Toy Car

Select a miniature car for your display—look for something that appears like a vintage car rather than a muscle truck or Batmobile. Tie a bottle brush tree to the roof of the car with two strands of twine to keep it secure.

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Then hot glue the tires of the car to the road.

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Step 5: Make Snowbanks

To create snowbanks by the side of the road, start by cutting pieces of felt into ovals.

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Hot glue the felt onto the lid on either side of the road, scrunching the felt as you glue to create a mound of snow.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 6: Add Trees in the Snow

We want the car to look like it's driving through a treelined road. An easy and inexpensive way to create trees is to cut sprigs from an artificial pine branch (e.g., a floral pick or a wreath) from a dollar store. They look just like tiny trees. If you want, you can also trim the greenery so it's pointier at the top like a Christmas tree.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Hot glue the miniature trees to the box lid display. You can lean them up against a snowbank for added support.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 7: Add the Snowmen

Hot glue two styrofoam balls to each other. Ideally the head is smaller than the body. Cut out eyes out of black paper and a carrot nose out of orange paper, and glue them to the heads of the snowmen. Use regular craft glue here instead of hot glue, as you will most likely be touching the glue with your fingers as you position the eyes and nose. Poke twigs into the shoulders and glue them in place.

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Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Hot glue the snowmen near or on top of the snowbanks.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

Step 8: Finish with a Ribbon

Place the decorated lid on the wrapped box. Wrap a ribbon around the box and tie a bow.

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Whoever receives your gift will also have a wintry diorama that can be displayed and cherished for years to come. The scene may be tiny, but your heart is big.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

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