Christmas Puddling Swirl Top Box

Deliciously unique gift box is composed 

of 12 side panels - embellished with 

drippy sauce accents - that cleverly swirl-fold 

toward the center to close, then un-swirl to open. 

Inside a candle-like post has a slot that accepts 

the stem of the berries shape, threaded through 

slot in trio of holly leaves. 

Measures approx. 3" tall x 3" wide x 3" long. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box side wedges (12)
B bottom panel (green here & in tutorial; brown final)
C interior center stem
D stem reinforcement (accordion fold)
E interior stem platform
F dripping sauce wedge accents (4 ea of 3)
G berries platform stems L & R, berries & base
H holly assembly: base and 3 accent shapes

2. Prepare each of the 12 wedge shapes by

folding back the side tabs

(NOTE that the wedges do not include

a bottom tab in the final design) . . .

. . . bend back on the narrow division line . . .

. . . then bend back at the center perforation line.

This image shows from back as folded.

This image shows from front as folded.

3. Prepare the scallop edge base shape

by bending the scallop tabs back.

4. Position the first wedge, face outward, behind

one scallop tab, with the bottom straight edge

aligned along the perforation line, and

bottom edge (not including side tab)

centered with the scallop tab. Glue in place.

5. Position the second wedge next to
and to the right of the first attached wedge,
with side tabs under the adjacent straight edge
of tab, with bottom edge centered behind
scallop tab as for first wedge, and attach. 
Join side tabs to edges bottom then top.
6. Continue to add the remaining wedges in
the same fashion, until . . .

. . . the final wedge is positioned, including

positioning the right straight edge over the side tabs

of the first wedge.

7. Position and attach the dripping sauce accent

shapes at the top section of each wedge,

with angled straight edge aligned next to perf line,

curve edge offset one-tenth inch or so in from

wedge curve. Alternate the three shapes

as you add them around the twelve wedges.

9. Prepare the stem by bending back on
vertical perf lines and hex "lid" edge and tab,
bending bottom tabs outward.

10. Form the stem into a tube to bring 
the straight edge to overlap the side tab,
and glue in place.

NOTE that the symmetry of this shape will allow

it to be pressed flat to facilitate applying pressure

along the seam. If you use this method, be

sure to open it up again into a tube.

11. Bend the "lid" down into position,
with the tab wrapped over the stem edge,
and glue tab in place.

12. Prepare the stem support shape

in accordion fashion (back-forward-back, etc.)

then . . .

. . . stack and glue the edges so that the shape
is one thick collar, like this,
taking care to align all cutout edges precisely.

13. Position and attach the collar stack on top of the
interior platform taking care to align the
interior edges of the hexagon cutouts of each.

14. Insert the tab end of the stem through the

platform, then . . .

. . . bend the tabs back and glue in place.

15. Position and attach the platform inside the

wedge assembly, with outer edges aligned inside

the wedge bottom seams.

16. If not done previously, ease and urge the

wedges to bend along the perforations and

condense inward . . . 

. . . until the top portions swirl together around

the top of the stem as shown.

(This may place stress on some of the joints

and seams, so check and reattach as necessary

if any become loose.)

17. Prepare the berry platform shapes by

bending forward at tops of tabs so that

the circular tops are roughly at right angles.

Position and attach the backsides of tabs together.

18. Assemble your version of the berries accent,

including a base color that may "show thru"

as one of the berries, or by using three circles.

19. Position and attach the berries accent
assembly, rotating to align the outer curve
edges to match up.

20. Prepare the holly leaves shape by positioning
and attaching the contrast leaf halves to the
appropriate matched leaves.
Add some curl to each leaf by applying pressure
as it is passed over a rod tool such as this
spatula.

21. Insert the berry assembly tab through the

leaf assembly center slot . . . 

. . . then insert tab into the stem slot.

(Leave it un-glued so that it can be removed

to easily open the swirl top, if using as a gift box.)

Here is the completed Christmas pudding box.