If you love Christmas junk journals and handmade embellishments but aren't sure where to start building your own stash of supplies, these Christmas Treasure Boxes might be exactly what you're looking for. In this video I flip through all three boxes I put together for my Etsy shop — each one packed with a handmade junk journal, a small collection of original embellishments, and a mix of papers and goodies to play with through the holiday season.
What we cover
A full flip-through of three Christmas Treasure Boxes available in my Etsy shop — looking at the main junk journals, the smaller companion journals, the altered bags they live in, and all the extra embellishments and supplies tucked into each box. The boxes are very close to identical in content, so I go deep on one and show the others more briefly.
What you'll learn
What's inside the main Christmas junk journal — each journal measures 5¼ by 6¾ inches with 52 pages. The inside is consistent across all three boxes (with small variations in the covers and journaling spots):
- Sewn and embellished pages throughout, with scalloped edges and ruffled details
- A hidden paper clip that doubles as a tuck spot or bookmark depending on how you position it — I have a separate tutorial on making these, linked in the description
- Multiple pockets with journaling spots
- Corner-punched pages
- Reinforced back cover with cardstock
- Tabs, tags, and clip-on elements you can rearrange as you use the journal
The altered gift bag as a pocket rather than a bag — I reworked the handles on a Christmas gift bag and fitted it to hold the small companion journal. It functions much better as a pocket than as a bag in its current form, which is worth knowing before you try to use it differently.
The laminated strip notebook — a slim, bulldog-clipped notebook with dangles, designed as a Christmas wish list or a record of gifts given. Simple but useful for the season.
The paper flower packet — flowers attached with double-sided sticky tape, so they lift off cleanly and can go straight into your journals as embellishments. I also included two lace flowers; the tutorial for those is linked in the description.
The origami envelope — a small folded envelope holding three tags. Tutorial linked in the description if you'd like to make your own.
The Christmas tassel — comes with a jump ring so you can clip it directly onto a journal, hang it on a tree, or use it however suits you. Tutorial also available.
Fabric scrappy embellishments — two small fabric-scrap pieces in Christmas colours. These are a style I make regularly and there's a tutorial for them too.
Embellished paper clips — a packet of three, decorated with beads and pipe cleaners in a Christmas palette.
The fabric envelope — lined with a book page and finished with a wrap-around closure. Fully functional as an envelope. Tutorial linked below.
A Christmas stencil — each box gets a different one, all Christmas-themed.
The goody packet — a small assortment of panchantella ribbon (red and green), Christmas-themed buttons, and miscellaneous bits to scatter through your journals.
The altered embossed envelope — embellished on front and back, with an embossing-folder texture and a small charm. Held closed with a paper clip, which removes to reveal a working envelope.
A ribbon length and a paper pack — the paper pack includes embossed specialty papers, Christmas scrapbook papers, and a full sheet of cardstock that can be used as a journal cover.
Black and gold felt stickers — I'm partial to these because the black-and-gold combination works in so many journal styles. They look just as good on a mirror as they do on a journal page.
A blank Christmas card — included in every box, and I'm happy to sign it personally if you'd like that — just mention it when you order.
Tips & gotchas
One thing to be aware of: some of the glittery items in the box — particularly the small companion journal — will leave glitter residue. It's not excessive, but expect a little shimmer in the packaging when your box arrives.
The paper flowers in the flower packet are attached with double-sided sticky tape, which means they come away cleanly without tearing. Don't assume they're permanently fixed — they're meant to be taken off and used as loose embellishments.
On the altered gift bag: it works really well as a pocket to house the small journal, but the handle modification means it doesn't sit right if you try to use it as an actual bag. I'd leave it as a pocket — it's more useful that way.
If any of the pieces inside spark your curiosity, every technique has its own tutorial linked in the video description, so you can go as deep as you like on whichever piece catches your eye.
