Grab your scrapbooking paper, decorative punch, double-sided tape, paper cutter or scissors, and embellishments, and your box, and let’s get started.

Cut a strip of paper almost as wide as your box (or smaller, if you want the box to show in the margin).  Next, cut a coordinating strip of paper about three-quarters the width of the first strip.

Use the decorative punch to punch one side of the smaller paper strip.

Wrap the bottom paper around the box, making sure it is centered, creasing the corners.  Secure with double-sided tape.  I like to slip the paper band off and make sure the tape is pressed down securely and the edges are creased.

Repeat with the second strip, aligning the non-punched edge with the edge of the bottom paper.

Add an embellishment to the top of your box.  Three-dimensional scrapbooking stickers are perfect.  I also used gift tag stickers, with the recipient’s name written with a ball-point glue pen, from Martha Stewart Crafts, then topped with super fine glitter (also from Martha).

For an alternate layout, punch both sides of you top strip and center it over the bottom strip.  There are so many ways you can make this project reflect your own unique style.

You can fill your boxes with anything from soap to fudge and everything in between.

And, if you see this post after the holidays have passed, just remember that you can use this technique to decorate boxes for any occasion.

Just place a few vanilla beans in an air-tight jar and fill with sugar.  Allow to sit for a few days and the sugar takes on a wonderful vanilla essence.  This vanilla sugar can be used in place of regular sugar in everything from baked goods to coffee.

For added elegance, print out a white mailing label and punch the top and bottom with a decorative edge punch before applying to the jar.