Tool Time Tuesday...Toilet Paper Roll Gift Box or Advent Calendar

I know...long title, but I wanted to get it all in!!

This is a great recycling project to use up all the cardboard tubes from rolls of toilet paper, paper towels or the tubes from gift wrap paper!! Those are long, so you can cut a lot out of one tube...so start saving!

You will need

• decorative paper or fabric
• glue or hot glue
• cardboard tube...toilet paper, paper towel or gift wrap paper cut into pieces
• ribbon

Just an FYI...those little scrapbook paper sampler books are the perfect size for this.

However, who can resist a good red and white polka dot!!

Cut a piece of paper or fabric wide and long enough to fit your tube.

Glue or hot glue the long seam and the round outer edge.

Go all the way around and seal the end piece.

Done!

Now, here is the first fold. Make sure the seam of the paper is centered and is under your thumb. Squeeze to crease.

I hot glued this because it dries fast. Hold til sealed. If you use regular glue...clamp it until dry.

All sealed shut.

At this point, it will look like an open tube of toothpaste.

For the second squeeze, make sure the first crease is in the opposite direction of the second. Meaning, one should be running north to south and the second runs east to west. Does that make sense?

Here it is in this picture. The first crease is on the table...north to south. The one I am pinching is east to west.

After that second pinch, you can add your little trinkets or gift...great for

• candy
• mini toys
• money
• jewelry
• gift certificates
• coupons you write out for free babysitting, dinner, chores etc

Just hot glue to seal and add a little bow and gift tag. This is a good picture of how the seams are running in the opposite direction.

If you don't want to hot glue the last seam shut so it's easy to get into and reusable, punch two holes on the top edge...run your ribbon through there and tie.

That hole on the left looks a little sketchy, lol...don't try punching a hole through dried hot glue!!

Here is the box used for gift giving.

If you want to make 25 of these in the same paper or all different papers, you can add numbers and make an advent calendar out of them.

Just number them 1-25 with a marker or scrap booking stickers.

I have one of these little decorative hangers...I think it's to display a special ornament.

Just hang each day's advent packet from this.

Or you can string them together like a banner and your children or grand children can take one down each day.

This is a great project for any age...young or old. It's quick, easy and practically free! Have fun making them.

Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~