Why I Built this Project

With Mother's Day coming up I wanted to create a unique way to give gifts for the mom's in my life. I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it would be a great fence picket project, so this is what I came up with.

Why We Love this Wood Gift Tote

• Budget-friendly—made from fence picket scraps
• Great way to use up leftover wood
• Beginner-friendly build (simple cuts + basic tools)
• Quick project—perfect for last-minute gifting
• Uses minimal materials (just wood + rope!)
• Unique “handbag” design that instantly elevates any gift
• Doubles as the gift and the packaging
• Easy to customize size, shape, and finish
• Works for so many occasions (Mother’s Day, teacher gifts, housewarming, holidays)
• Reusable—becomes decor, storage, or a planter after gifting
• Lightweight and easy to carry with rope handles
• Perfect for styling—fill with flowers, treats, or themed goodies
 

How I Built this Project

Start by cutting and sanding your pieces. For the curve, make an outline of a round object and cut with a jigsaw. Use the first one as a template to trace before cutting the second one. 

I then marked and drilled my holes and added the rope handles.

After that I nailed the end pieces in place.

Glue and nail the bottom piece. You can use a fence picket here, I opted for a scrap piece of plywood that I had on hand for a more low profile look.

Fill it with flowers or goodies!

Watch!  Build Video for This Project

Free Plans to Build Your Own Fence Picket Gift Tote

Ready to build this yourself?  Here's the free plans, enjoy!