Father's Day Gift Idea - Dad's Treasure Chest

This memento box makes an especially good gift if someone you know is getting to be a father for the first time this year.

Supply List
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Box/chest
Embellishments of your choice
Cardstock
Craft Pens

What Size Treasure Chest?
The first thing to do is decide how big a treasure chest you want to make for Dad. I recommend something around the size of a jewelry box, maybe a foot wide. It should be sized to fit nicely on your father's dresser, if he wants to display it, but also fit in a drawer for safekeeping.

What Make to Make it From?
Next decide what material to make your Father's Day Treasure Chest from. If you're handy with woodworking, you could make your own chest from scratch. If you're not so handy with a saw, you can start with a finished jewelry box, or an unfinished craft box. Check the craft aisle of your local discount store (Walmart, Target, etc.) or a hobby and craft store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) for ideas on what sizes and types of boxes are available. It doesn't have to even be wood. There are some very sturdy craftboard boxes available too.

Embellish the Treasure Chest!
If you've used wood, you can use a wood burning tool to etch designs into the chest. For any other type of material, you'll use glue, (or a hot glue gun), to attach decorations. Your decorations can be anything you like, or anything you think your father will like. Some suggestions...?

* Build up the outside of the chest with leather strips.
* Use a hot glue gun to attach pretty river rocks to the chest.
* Paste on photos, ticket stubs, ans other mementos of good times you've spent with Dad.
* Use craft pens or paints to color the outside of the chest.
* Decorate the box with stickers (good idea for younger children).
* Paint the chest with glue and 'sugar' it with colored sand designs.

Let your chest dry if necessary!

Make the Card.
Using the cardstock, and your best penmanship (or a stencil!), write your father a note explaining that this box is for all the 'Dad Treasures' that he will accumulate over the years. The lock of hair from the first haircut, the photo of you together at the beach acting silly, the ball from your first mini-golf hole-in-one while his hands helped you hold the putter straight. These are the real treasures of Fatherhood.

Happy Father's Day!

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