Ode to: Fancy packaging

So hard to throw away, so I don’t.

May 02, 2024

In March, Jason ordered the Flamingo Estate tomato candle to celebrate daylight saving and get in the mood for spring. I’ve seen Flamingo Estate on Instagram and was familiar with their lush aesthetics and vibe. So when I found out about the purchase, I was immediately excited for not just the candle, but the packaging. I knew it had to be interesting, and it was.

The candle came in a box with tomato-stem-esque green on the outside and what looks like dreamy film photography on the inside. I had to save the packaging the only way I know how: turn it into bookmarks.

My casual criteria for saving packaging is: 1) I like the product 2) The cardstock feels nice and thick 3) Interesting/appealing typography, graphics, copywriting.

Often I’ll just save a tag, which is as easy as it gets. But sometimes, like for the Flamingo Estate candle, I’ll deconstruct the box the product comes in, which is a more creative and prolific endeavor. I’ll take a pair of scissors and try to cut it up as neatly as I can freehand. I’ll try to remember to take liberties with dimensions to create bookmarks of different shapes and sizes, preserving and highlighting the visual elements I’m most drawn to.

It’s usually just bookmarks. But some years ago, I don’t know what got into me, but I was inspired to turn paper packaging from a Diptyque gift set into… an envelope clutch? I cut it up, assembled it with clear packing tape, and also used the tape to “laminate” all the surfaces.

I would almost be willing to take it to an event but it’s still a tad impractical (no closure, for one) so I’ve just been using it to store stamps, Polaroids, and other (flat!) mementos. It’s one of the handmade things I’m most proud of, and tbh, I’m not sure I can top it, packaging transformation wise. But who knows! That’s what gives every good future purchase another layer of thrill ;)

Do you save great packaging? Do you upcycle them somehow? I’d love to hear about it.