Hot Cocoa Gift Crate

A small open crate sized to hold hot-cocoa fixings — mugs, marshmallows, packets, a bar of chocolate — as a holiday gift. It's built from scraps: two 1x6 end pieces, a 1x6 bottom, and four thin lath strips for the sides, with a stained finish and a chalkboard label on the front.

There's essentially no joinery. Glue and brad-nail the ends to the bottom, then run the lath strips across to form the open sides. Because the slats are thin, use 1-1/4" brads or staples and don't overdrive them.

Stain rather than paint suits the rustic gift look, and a chalkboard label — bought, or made with chalkboard paint and a stencil or cutting machine — lets you write the recipient's name or 'Hot Cocoa' on the front. Fill it, add a bow, and it's a gift that outlasts what's inside it.