DIY Lightbox for a Plant

Remove the lid from a plastic tub and lay it facedown on a flat work surface. Cut a hole in the lid large enough to pass through the electrical plug end of the Christmas lights. The best placement for the hole is approximately 1 inch in from the lid’s lip, either in one of the corners or centered in the lid’s back.

Cut a narrow, 3-inch strip of plastic from each side of the lid near the handles. This allows air circulation inside the box.

Feed the plug end of the electrical cord through the hole cut into the lid. The lights are underneath the lid with the plug protruding out of the top. Glue the LED lights to the lid’s underside. Begin at the outer edge nearest to the hole cut for the plug. Apply a thin bead of hot glue to the box’s underside and press the light cord into it. Twist or untwist the light string ensuring the lights are facing away from the lid. Working in a spiral fashion, glue the string around the edges and work toward the center. If there are extra lights when you reach the middle, double the lights back and crisscross them between the previously glued lights. Continue until all the lights are glued into place.

Apply strips of double-sided tape to the plastic tub’s inner sides. Cover the tub sides with pieces of aluminum foil until all the sides are covered.

Place potted plants or seeded starter trays in the tub’s bottom. Invert the lid and snap it shut so that the lights are enclosed inside the bin. Plug the electrical cord into the wall outlet