Holiday Box Tree

Supplies Used: Double-Sided Tape, Gift Wrap Paper, Glue, Patterned Cardstock, Ribbon, Scissors, Stapler

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut the XL Cube from an assortment of plain or patterned holiday cardstock. Gift wrap paper could be used if it is attached to cardstock with glue or other adhesive before cutting. Laminate the papers, if desired. Cut 15 Cubes for a classroom tree or 24 per student for a family gift.
2. Fold along the perforated lines. Use double-sided tape or glue to secure the tab and then fold the Cubes (Figure B).
3. Set the Cubes so one of the open ends is facing forward with the hinge at the top and the opening at the bottom (Figure A).
4. Adhere the Cubes together into rows (Figure C). Align the Cubes, with two boxes opening in the same direction, and staple the sides together from the front and back (Figure D). Continue stapling for each row.
5. For a Classroom Tree, 15 Cubes may be opened during school days (Figure E). Create 5 rows of Cubes: 5 Cubes, 4 Cubes, 3 Cubes, 2 Cubes and 1 Cube.
6. For a Gift Tree, arrange 24 Cubes to be opened December 1 through Christmas Eve (Figure F). Create 6 rows of Cubes: Two rows of 6 Cubes, and one each of 5 Cubes, 4 Cubes, 3 Cubes and 2 Cubes.
7. Take the two longest rows of Cubes. Close all the boxes on the back side and open them all on the front (with the opening at the bottom and the hinge at the top). Lay both rows on their back side with the opening facing up and the flaps in the same direction. Using a stapler, staple the two rows of boxes together on both edges. Close the flaps and turn the boxes over. Open the back flaps and staple the back side on both edges.
8. Center the 5-Cube row above both 6-Cube rows, making sure the flaps open in the same direction. Again, close all the flaps on the back and lay the tree on its back. Open the flaps from the top row of 6 Cubes and the row of 5 Cubes. Make sure the shorter row is centered and staple the two top rows together. Close the flaps, turn over and staple from the back. Continue adding the rows of 4 and 3 to complete the tree.
9. Lay the completed tree on its back and open the boxes on the bottom row. Cut 2 yards of ribbon and fold it in half. Center the ribbon on the bottom of the tree and staple it in place in 3 or 4 boxes along the base. Close the flaps, stand the tree up, and tie a bow at the top (see Main Photo).
10. Die-cut a Tiny Snowflake for each Cube. Snowflakes can be numbered and attached to the Cubes, allowing the teacher to monitor the daily activity. Alternately, boxes may be opened randomly. If the boxes are opened randomly, students would then attach a Snowflake to show that box has been opened (see Main Photo and video for additional ideas).

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  Figure A
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  Figure B
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  Figure D
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  Figure E
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  Figure F
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  Figure G