Happy in Hainesport: Hot Coco Packet Envelopes

I recently learned how to make hot coco packet envelopes. Enclosing a coco packet in a pretty paper envelope makes a nice holiday party favor. The envelopes are also suitable for gift cards. We give our mailman a Wawa gift card each year for Christmas. This year, I'm putting the gift card (and a package of Swiss Miss) into a special coco envelope made just for our mail carrier.
Please note that there are rules for giving gifts to postal workers. You can give a gift with a value of up to $20.00, but do not give cash. Gift cards for up to $20.00 are okay as long as they are not redeemable for cash.The cards have to be issued by a single business, not by a bank or a mall.

I googled "Christmas mailman clip art," and selected this image. See the next picture for an explanation of why the picture is placed in this spot on the 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

The finished envelope has to be 4" x 5" in order to hold a coco packet. Overall dimensions of the template are
6" x 9". You'll need 2" above the image to make a flap. You'll need 3" below the image to make the back of the envelope. Finally, you need a 1/2" white margin down both sides.

Trim to 6" x 9".

You need to score the paper to make nice, neat folds. You could buy a scoring machine, but I have a technique that works with my paper cutter. The paper cutter has grooves at 1/2" intervals. Grab a plastic knife and position the paper.

Along the 9" length, score at 2" and 6". Along the 6" length, score down both long sides at 1/2" from the edge. Use the rounded back edge of the plastic knife blade. Don't use the jagged side meant for cutting food!!

Fold along all score lines.

Clip away the 1/2" flaps along the score lines from the 2" top section and the 3" bottom section. Leave flaps only in the 4" middle section.

Using a circular punch, cut a half circle out of the middle of the 3" flap.

This is just a little detail that makes a nicer finished product.

Rounding the edges of the 2" flap is another nice touch. You could buy a special paper punch, but I traced around the edge of a plastic container and cut with scissors.

Here are the rounded edges. To finish the envelope, fold in the 1/2 side flaps and fold up the 3" bottom flap. You should use a powerful adhesive since coco packets are plump and heavy. It's hard to see, but I also sniped off the corner of the top of the 1/2" strip.

I got this at Joann. The regular price is $9.99. Be sure to use a coupon.

This is really strong double sided tape that is dispensed on a paper strip. Cut a 3" piece and press it sticky side down on the edge of the 3" flap. Repeat on the other side. Remove the paper strip and you are left with a strong, gummy film that runs down both sides of the 3" flap. Fold the 1/2 flaps inward. Hold them in while folding up the 3"flap. Press the 3" flap into place, joining it to the 1/2" strips.