How to Make a Toolbox Favor

Miniature toolboxes are a charming party favor for construction-themed parties.

Toolbox favors make cute embellishments for construction-themed parties, perfect for occasions like Father's Day or young boys' birthday parties. Or get creative and craft your toolbox favors in pink or silver. Use them as favors at a bachelorette party -- filled with big-day necessities like safety pins and breath mints -- or stock them with tiny essentials for a high school graduate headed off to college. Toolbox favors can be made from any square object, from boxes to tins; just add a handle and some type of latch. Decorate the outside and fill it with goodies reflecting the party theme.

Difficulty:

  

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1
     Choose a square, hollow box to serve as the toolbox. Size is dependent on what you intend to put inside it. To be able to fill it with plastic tools, choose a larger box, like a shoe box. For tinier treasures, small jewelry boxes, mint tins or little wooden craft boxes are just the right size.
   • 2
     Decorate the box. The medium you will use to decorate the box will be dependent on the box's material. If you are using a wooden box, paint or decoupage is an excellent choice; little boys will love a toolbox painted in bright, primary red that looks just like Dad's. For cardboard boxes, decorate them with markers, personalizing them with each child's name, or use a spray adhesive to attach fabric to the box.
   • 3
     Add toolbox hardware. For paper or cardboard boxes, this can be as simple as a paper handle and a square paper latch that buckles with a fabric hook-and-loop fastener. Metal or wooden boxes lend themselves to more industrial hardware. Use metal eye straps -- used on boats and available at hardware stores -- or cabinet pulls for appropriately sized metal handles. Tiny padlocks or latches can also be purchased at hardware stores and easily attached using screws.
   • 4
     Fill the box with goodies. Tools don't have to be limited to hammers and screwdrivers; consider a set of tools that would complement the party's theme, and fill accordingly. For a girls' cupcake-themed bash, fill the toolbox with colorful muffin liners and cake decorating tools. For a quick and easy fill job, just add candy.

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  Tips & Warnings

• Decorating toolbox favors makes an engaging party activity; consider packing the box's intended contents in paper bags, then allowing each child to decorate his own box. Let the boxes dry while you eat cake and open presents, then surreptitiously fill each completed box with treats in your party's theme.