In today’s post: Learn how to turn cheap paper plates into adorable paper plate baskets with these easy to follow folding templates.
Ok, some of you are already thinking: seriously? This lady is trying to convince us we can’t just deliver cookies on a paper plate anymore, and that we instead we have to fold it into a “treat basket”? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
If you are thinking that, it’s all good – I get it. I don’t have time for lots of things people expect from a “blogger”: my house isn’t really decorated, my kids regularly go to school in mismatched outfits they (obviously) chose themselves, and I certainly don’t cook dinner every night because eating cereal twice a day never hurt anyone.
This little paper plate hack takes just a minute and really does make your homemade or storebought treats look pretty darn cute. But that’s not the real reason I like it. The real reason is because I can buy the super cheap plates to make these baskets instead of spending money on the fancy ones. Yep, I’m really that cheap.
I have three different templates you can print out to learn how to make different shaped paper plate baskets. You can keep them plain:
Or spruce them up a bit once you’ve filled them with goodies:
Paper plate treat basket templates
Each of these templates is made to work with a standard 9 inch paper plate. These work best with the cheapest, thin paper plates because they fold easily – look for store or generic brand plates.
Here’s a quick video that shows how to put each basket together, and the downloads for each basket follow.
How to make a square paper plate basket for muffins
This is what the square template looks like.
Click here to download the square basket
Print out the template on plain printer paper, then cut around the outer circle. Place the template on top of a 9 inch paper plate, and then cut along the solid lines. Next, fold along all the dotted lines, as you see in the video. You’ll end up with a square basket with four sides and little tabs that wrap around two of the sides. Staple the tabs to secure the basket.
This basket fits 4 standard muffins. I like to line the basket with wax paper.
How to make a rectangular paper plate basket for cookies
This is what the rectangle template looks like.
Click here to download the rectangular basket
This basket is put together the same way the square one is: cut along the solid lines and fold along the dotted lines, then staple the tabs at the corners to secure. This one works holds a nice row of cookies:
How to make a circular paper plate basket for candy + other treats
This is what the circle template looks like.
Click here to download the circular basket
Same process as before, cut along solid lines and fold along dotted lines. This basket works well for candy and other treats:
Enjoy!
Looking for more holiday fun? Check out these posts:
20 quick + easy neighbor gifts for Christmas
20 cute Christmas treats to make with your kids
Upcycled Pringles can Christmas cookie container
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Sandy says
What a great jumping-off plate for more inexpensive, NOT PLASTIC packaging for baked goodies or whatevers! Thank you!
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I am glad to see this brilliant post, all the details are very helpful and useful for us, keep up to good work.
Josie says
This is so clever and a charming way to present a kind gesture. Thank you.
Elize says
Oh my goodness, these paper plate boxes are just gorgeous. They are so versitile, you can pack some homemade treats into them when you go visiting – just a small token of sharing and you do not have to use your home crockery. Thank you so much for sharing this great idea. Hopefully I can share with my friends and family as well.