Thistle Holly 3D Round Box

Celebrate highland influence with this decorative container 

that can deliver the “Twelfth Day of Christmas” gift, 

conveying the “Pipers Piping” as Scottish bag pipers. 

Twenty facetted side walls on base and lid create 

the “round” shape, with box measuring approx. 7.5” wide x 7.5” long 

x 2.25” tall/deep when closed. Base features two optional 

interlocking cross-divider which provide added strength. 

Lid features delicate holly swirl cutout decoration 

with contrast underlay and insets for leaves and berries – 

be sure to use a fresh, sharp cutting blade. 

Raised center column has thistle cut-out decoration 

with leaves and berries (omit dome effect, if preferred; 

simply position and glue within circle cutout of holly ring.) 

Optional tie-on number 12 tag is included to attach at 

dome boxing variation that includes punch holes pair. 

Pairs well with separate designs “Tag Piper Piping” 

and “Tag Scottish Pleated Kilt”.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A BASE box base "circles": 1 - exterior; 1- interior

B optional interlocking interior dividers

C BASE wall shapes (2 diff shapes supply 3 segments)

D optional interior floor accents, if dividers are used

E LID roof interior "circle" shape; NOTE that model also

uses a print 'E' shape on top exterior

F LID walls (2 diff shapes supply 3 segments)

G dome interior roof circle

H dome walls (2; with or without twine attachment holes)

I number "12" tag: base, "12" base, "2" overlay

J holly swirl ring LID overlay

K contrast holly ring underlay

L contrast edge trim ring underlay

M berries contrast inset shapes (10)

N dome thistle disc

O thistle disc contrast underlay

P dome rim edge accent underlay

Q berries contrast inset shapes (1 l, 1 r)

NOTE that the BASE floor "circle" and the LID's

ceiling "circle" can be differentiated from each other

by locating and identifying the 'L' symbol cut into the LID.

2. Prepare BASE wall shapes by bending back on

all perforation lines for panels, top fold-over interior walls,

bottom tabs and side attachment flanges.

3. Join the three strips (2 long, 1 short) together by

overlapping the left straight edge over the right edge

flange of adjacent strip, adjusting top to bottom

for proper alignment.

4. Form the walls into a ring to align and join

the final side seam.

5. Fold the top interior wall segments to

the inside of the BASE and glue each in place

to wall backside.

6. Bend bottom tabs inward, apply glue to the backside

of each tab, then insert the interior bottom "circle",

rotate so that each edge facet of circle aligns with

a wall segment, and glue in place, applying fingertip

pressure all around to ensure that each tab attaches

thoroughly.

7. Position and attach the exterior second floor "circle"

to the bottom of the BASE assembly, adjusting so that

the edge facets align with wall segments' bottom edges.

8. Prepare the LID's wall strips in manner similar to

the BASE walls by bending back on perforations for

segments, fold-over bottom interior wall segments,

top tabs and side connection tabs.

9. Position and attach the three LID wall strips

(2 long, 1 short) into one length by joining side seams

in manner similar to what was done with BASE walls.

10. Form the wall strip into a ring to position and

join the final side seam.

11. Bend the interior wall tabs inward and attach

in place to backside of wall segments.

12. Bend top tabs inward, then place LID walls ring, 

tabs edge down on work surface, and apply glue

to the underside of tabs. Insert the LID interior "circle"

into walls ring, adjust so that each edge facet aligns

correctly with walls segment, then . . .

. . . press in place to attach completely and securely.

13. As with BASE second exterior "circle" reinforcement

shape, position and attach the second LID exterior

circle shape on top of LID assembly, aligning

wall segment edges with circle facet edges.

14. Position the contrast holly ring (green here) over

the LID's contrast rim shape (red here), adjust so that

the inner margin and consistent all around, as well

as the outer margin (these are not the same width),

and attach in place.

15. Position and attach the berries contrast inset shapes 

into the cutout recesses in contrast ring.

NOTE if rim contrast color is desired as berries "show-thru",

the inset shapes may NOT be necessary.

16. Position the holly swirl accent ring over the top

of the previous rings assembly, then rotate so that

contrast insets show thru the triple berry cutouts

properly, adjust so that the (green) contrast ring

edges remain concealed behind the swirl accent ring . . .

. . . then attach in place. NOTE that the (red)

accent ring should remain visible as narrow trim

evenly exposed - though different widths for

outer edge and inner edge.

17. Prepare dome wall strips by adding slight back curl

to each, using a rod tool such as this dowel to

run each strip over while applying thumb or 

finger pressure (think curling ribbon). Then . . .

. . . align and join the ends by overlapping straight

side edge over adjacent tab (NOTE that the END tabs

of the wall strips DO NOT  bend back - perf cuts are

for edge alignment ONLY) and attach.

Form the walls unit into a ring to align and attach

second side seam.

Bend the top tabs inward . . .

. . . and bend the bottom tabs outward.

18. Apply glue to the underside of TOP tabs, then . . .

. . . insert the "roof" circle inside the ring, assist it

to settle with the cut edge snugly against the tabs perf

bends, and . . .

. . . apply fingertip pressure all around to ensure

a complete and thorough seam.

19. Prepare the dome's support strut strip by

bending back on each segment division perf line,

also at end tab, and top edge tabs.

Bend the edge tabs outward.

20. Form the strip into a triangle and join end seam.

21. Apply glue to the underside of the edge tabs,

then position, centered, within the dome recess (backside)

and glue in place.

22. If you plan to have your project include 

the twine-attached number 12 tag, cut a length of

twine and insert inward and outward through

the punch holes pair in wall at this point, and

loosely tie the ends into a slip bow (holes will soon

not be accessible during the assembly process).

23. Position and attach the thistle accent assembly

on top of the dome assembly.

24. Apply glue to the outward-bent dome tabs,

then position and insert the dome up through

 the opening of the swirl ring, then . . .

. . . apply fingertip pressure all around to ensure

that the seam is fully attached.

25. (Not illustrated with an image) 

Position - centered - 

the swirl ring/dome assembly on top of the previous

LID assembly and attach in place.

26. Prepare the optional interior divider walls

by back bending in half, then bending bottom edge

flanges forward.

NOTE that the dividers were reconfigured in final file

to NOT include the end attachment flanges.

27. Apply glue to the backside of one long half

of each divider strip, then fold and glue together,

leaving bottom edge attachment flanges unattached.

28. When fold-in-half glue is dried, slot the two strips

together at center (NOTE that the TOP strip has

a tiny "bite" half circle cut out along one flange edge).

Slide the two strips together fully, until top edges align.

29. To complete the box, insert the divider assembly

into the BASE, then position the LID, align

the facets and slide into place.

30. Assemble the no. "12" tag by layering the separate

"2" onto the "12" base (if you wish to have complete

definition between the two numerals), then . . .

. . . position onto contrast base, with offset margin

even all around.

31. Thread twine through tag hole and attach

with knot and bow.

NOTE that the sample project has a ribbon cockade

threaded through top hole prior to attaching.

Your "Twelfth Day of Christmas" container is complete!