Gift Card Surprise Envelope Tutorial

October 28, 2025

Megan Hobby Kauffman

Artist, maker, and professional joy-bringer. From my North Carolina studio, Mayhen Press, I whip up colorful, story-filled designs that make everyday life a little brighter (and a lot more fun).

Lately I’ve been reminded to slow down again. This is not natural for me. I’m usually the first one out the door and I find it really hard to take my time with things. It’s been a theme in my life that I’m put in situations that force me to slow down and stand still. Every time I’m thrown into one of these situations I find myself kicking and screaming to get through it. I love life and I want to live it fully and pack as much in as I can while I’m in this beautiful world. But sometimes - and this has taken a while to sink in - sometimes in slowing down and standing still you are living more in a moment than you would packing all the adventures and productiveness into that same time.

Moving slower makes me turn back toward a lot of the things that matter in my life. One of those things is making! So even if it’s something small like today’s tutorial, carving out time to focus in and learn a new thing is putting that healing slower movement into action.

It is my mom’s birthday this month and I knew that I wanted to buy her a gift card for a class that she’s been wanting to take but I wanted the gift to still feel exciting and meaningful so I looked around the internet a bit and found some different ideas for a special envelope that I could put her gift card in. I played and modified until I made what I’m showing you today - a quick, simple and unique gift envelope. Again, double-sided patterned paper is perfect for this one as you get to see both sides of the paper on the finished product! I used the Mayhen Press Fabulous Fireworks sheet for this project.

If you would do better following a video tutorial for this project you can find one at the end of this post!

Supplies:

Double-sided patterned wrapping paper in a 3:4 ratio.
Ruler
Scissors
Bone Folder (optional)
Double sided tape (or glue)

Method:

1. Cut a rectangle of your chosen wrapping sheet in a 3:4 ratio (9 x12 inch and 12 x 16 inch recangles make a 3 inch and 4 inch envelope, respectively.). Divide the short side into thirds and score. So for a 9 x 12 inch size mark the 9 inch side at 3 and 6 inches on both ends and use a ruler and bone folder to score a straight line at both marks. This will ensure that your envelope comes out even and clean.

2. Fold each long side into the middle and crease.

3. With the long sides still folded into the middle fold the paper in half, bringing the short ends together. Crease.

4. Fold each short end back the other direction to meet with the center crease.

5. Unfold the paper and use scissors to cut along the center line on the long side. Only cut to the first crease line. Do this on both sides of the paper.