Guest Post: Birthday in a Box!

Who better to do a guest post than the one who got me started on craftiness? My Mom (a.k.a. Shela)! She masterfully creates all sorts of things and she has agreed to share one of her secrets with you. And here it is:

Birthday in a Box!

If you can’t be there to throw someone an incredible birthday bash, you can make it feel just as special by sending it in a box. I did this for my son when he was gone on a mission for our church, and my daughter while she was at college.

1. Collect your supplies. At home I already had the following:

a. an empty shoe box (any box which is the right size to hold everything will do)
b. wrapping paper
c. cake mix
d. frosting
e. regular clear tape
f. clear packing tape Then I went to a party supply store and picked a theme my daughter would appreciate. She’s been a big fan of Scooby Doo for years, so that’s what I picked. Here’s what I bought:

a. 1 eight pack of Scooby Doo dessert plates
b. 1 eight pack of Scooby Doo napkins
c. 8 Scooby Doo blowers
d. A Scooby Doo birthday badge
e. 8 rainbow colored cups
f. Bright green plastic table cover
g. Spongy Scooby Doo ball (just for fun)
h. Happy Birthday tiara
i. Number candles
j. Scooby Doo happy birthday banner
  2. Open some select items to use in a few photos. If you can’t be there in person, the next best thing is a picture. It makes the gift even more personal when you use some of the items you’re going to be packing in the box. I pulled out the birthday banner and then took pictures of family members holding it. I also opened the party blow outs for people to use in pictures. Then I put them together and added my rhyme:

This birthday in a box for you

includes a cake & frosting too.

Since we’re not there to share the day,

share it with who’ere you may.

So light the candles, make a wish

and know your birthday we’d never miss!

3. Cover your mailing box to make it look festive.  

  I am a firm believer in the power of packaging. When the box looks good, it only adds to the delectable anticipation of the receiver. Since I already knew the inside was going to be covered with something else, I just put wrapping paper on the outside of the box.

4. Line the box with the table cover.
5. Pack all of the items inside.
6. Print out your pictures and add a nice note. Include it in the box.

7. With the clear packing tape seal the box well.
8. Add address labels and mail. 

  Variations you might want to try:

Little Debbie snack cakes can be substituted in place of the cake mix and frosting. If you’re worried about the mailing cost due to weight, this is a good option. It’s also good for those who might be kitchen challenged.
Hats of any kind are great because they work well in the pictures. One time I found some Spiderman masks that I had the whole family wear for pictures. It was awesome. 　
Helpful suggestion:

To save money on mailing costs, the US Postal Service offers free flat rate priority mailing boxes at any of their locations. If you choose the right box, you’ll pay one flat rate even if the box weighs more than usual.

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