Popup Holiday Matchboxes

Decorated matchboxes like these are very popular in my wife's store. She glues interesting catalog and magazine pictures to matchboxes and adds some glitter. Simple, interesting and cool. I thought that adding a popup element could be interesting.

For this contest entry I did a Christmas tree and snowman, but other designs would be possible too. An ornament using foil or wrapping paper, a candle, maybe even a Santa going down a chimney when the matchbox is opened. I used paper from a magazine for the tree, and a thin foam from a window decoration for the snowman. 

There is a small amount of precision needed when laying out the pusher opening and determining the point to glue it to the popup, but it isn't too hard. 

If you like this instructable I'd appreciate your vote in the Handmade Holidays contest. Thanks.

Step 1 Glue card stock

The matchboxes I used were printed primarily with black ink so by gluing white card stock pieces the final appearance was better and more easily decorated. The white surface made it easier to draw layout lines as well.

Either cut to exact size before gluing or trim after glue sets.

Comments

[AngryRedhead]

Adorable!!  This would also be great as a "classic" wedding favor with an obviously modified theme (i.e., something not about Christmas/Holidays).

 

[gdufford]

Thanks!

I guess you could do a "cake" popup for a wedding favor, huh? The shapes have to tall (instead of wide) to make use of the opening of the matchbox.

You could do bride boxes and groom boxes too. Those shapes would be tall/portrait rather than wide. Could be cool...

[alexsparrow]

how about the portal 2 cake?