Every Christmas I have made my 4 girls a box. Wife, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter. They are all grown women. They ask if I could make a smaller item this year if I was going to continue the "custom".
Saw these in Popular Woodworking and they met the need, I had no others in mind. I like the tilt up lids with no hinges.
Mahogany with a walnut lift. Each top is lasered with the the appropriate first letter of their name. There is a fifth box with no letter. Just as a stand by.
Boxes are 4 1/2" square and 2 3/4" tall. Red felt bottoms. Box joints on the corners. Finish is Osmo Wood wax finish, it is oil based and does darken the wood. 2 coats and some buffing.
The insides have a tapered side that goes to a slot, so when the lid is lifted it slides into the slot keeping the box open. Simple pull and lidt and the box shuts. No expensive hinges. Last picture shows the shape to accomplish this.
Easy to make and a bit different. Girls Christmas gifts done.