The pop-up gift card holder is one of my favorite gift card packaging methods. When you open up it up, the gift card pops up in the center. These are easy to tuck into the branches of your Christmas tree or present to the recipient on any occasion. Pop-Up Gift Card Holders are both fun and easy to make. You can even use some of those extra pieces and parts lying around from other projects to create the focal image on the belly band.
SCORING BASICS
Scoring and folding paper might seem self-explanatory. You probably were not aware of the science behind scoring paper. Have you noticed edges that do not match up after you fold on your scored line? Or cracking on the fold? You want to make sure to score and fold correctly in order to ensure a smooth clean finished look.
A score line creates two distinct sides on a piece of cardstock paper. One side of the cardstock will have an indentation (‘valley’), while the other side will have a raised line (‘mountain’).
When you score cardstock, you are stretching the fibers of the paper by pushing them away. You want to fold away from the score line to complete the stretching. To do this, fold the cardstock toward the ‘mountain’. The ‘valley’ of the scored line should be on the outside of the card. An easy trick to remember is that the mountain should be in the middle.
raised MOUNTAIN score indentation VALLEY score
What happens if you do it the opposite way? Since the fibers of the cardstock are stretched when scored, if you fold into the score line, you are going against the stretch and can cause cracking in the paper. That’s the last thing you want after putting in all that effort to score your cardstock. So it’s important to remember the correct way to fold. Now back to our regularly scheduled posting…
Here is my Christmas version of the Pop-Up Gift Card Holder. I’m tucking these in the grandkid’s stockings this year.


POP-UP GIFT CARD HOLDER FOUNDATION
- Cardstock for base: 4-1/4″ x 8-1/2″
- On the 8-1/2″ (long) side, cut at 5″ RESULT: 2 pieces – 4-1/4″ x 5″ and 4-1/4″ x 3-1/2″
- Emboss with your favorite embossing folder
- Score the 4-1/4″ x 5″ piece at 1-1/4″ and 3-3/4″ on the long side
- Score the 4-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ piece at 1-1/4″ on the short side

- Fold along the scored lines and crease with the bone folder. TIP: Wach the direction of your embossing.
- Add Tear & Tape Adhesive to the edges of the 1-1/4″ piece. TIP: Get as close to the edge as possible. Leave the opening on the outside edge. Align the two pieces together and adhere them together to form the gift card pocket. TIP: Use the straight edge on the inside of the Paper Trimmer to align pieces evenly.
- Using a 1″ Circle Punch, put a notch in the gift card pocket.

- Round the corners of the piece that will form the closure flap using the Detailed Trio Punch.

- Cardstock for message panels:
- Cut 2 pieces: 4″ x 2″ and 4″ x 2-1/4″
- Cardstock for belly band: 1-3/4″ x 6″
Stamp or write your message before adhering to the inside of the gift card holder. The belly band will fit loosely around the gift card holder. Wrap the cardstock strip around the gift card holder so that it still slides on and off easily. Use adhesive to secure the top piece to the other side of the belly band.
TAILORING YOUR DESIGN
One of the absolute BEST things about Stampin’ Up! is the coordination of products. Tailoring your pop-up gift card holder is easy when you work within a suite of products. I used the Tidings of Christmas Suite. It is very well priced and with a few extras (cardstock & ink) you can be on your way to making gift card holders and cards for everyone this holiday season.

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS
- Replace the Pop-Up Gift Card with clues for a treasure/scavenger hunt. This would be fun for the whole family. Solve riddles and locate the next clue.
- Create an Advent Calendar with 24 Pop-Up Gift Card Holders. Put good deed requests in the place of gift cards.
- Make Reward folders. Use gift cards or ‘special’ coupons that kids earn for extraordinary work or behavior.
Add some of your ideas in the comment section. I would love to hear them.
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Thank you so much for visiting today. I look forward to being your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and helping you develop your own creative streak.
Do Something Creative Every Day,
SUPPLIES
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