Paper Basket Made from Ang Pow Packets

As part of Chinese New Year DIY craft activity, we decided to do something useful by making a basket out of recycled ang pow packets. Depending on the sizes of the ang pows you can get, the base of the basket can be designed accordingly. 

For the sample here, we used a 8 cm angle hexagon as a base. Template can be downloaded here. It's best recommended to use a thicker cardboard as the base so it is more stable to support whatever it is you plan to use the basket for. When you have the base cut out from the cardboard, you can start arranging the ang pow packets according to the shape of the base, then open up the ang pow flap and glue it one by one under the base. Once the ang pows are glued to the base, we will start sticking all ang pows together at every joining edge using transparent tape.

For the handle, you will need another two ang pow packets, fold them horizontally into roughly 2 cm width, then glue each side to the top of the basket.

Lastly, to decorate the basket, you need another 6 ang pow packets (preferably other colors but same width as those used for the sides), roll each vertically and stick to each side of the basket like the picture below.

Paper basket made from recycled ang pow packets

Materials Required:

1. 8 same size ang pow packets.
2. 6 same size but different designs / colors ang pow packets (for decoration).
3. A cardboard for base. Template can be downloaded here.
4. White glue.
5. Transparent / clear tape.
6. ​Scissors