Origami Square Gift Box

Making a beautiful origami box is easier than you may think. I love to give gifts in these because most the time people like the box so much that they consider it a gift in and of itself. 

If you can follow the steps based off the pictures then don't bother reading the text, it's only included to help if you get stuck. Honestly writing about how to fold origami is not easy at all and there's a reason why most the time it only has diagrams and very little text. 

Step 1:

Materials:
-8 pieces of origami paper, 4 foil sheets for the lid and 4 sheets for the base
-scissors
-pencil
-ruler

Step 2:

This box is made of a lid and a base. In order for the lid to fit on the base without deforming, the base has to be slightly smaller than the lid. To do this, two side of the square need to be cut off. You can mark the edges of the paper then use a ruler to draw lines so you know where to cut. The pictures show how I marked my paper and the cut lines. 

Once you have the 4 slightly smaller sheets you can fold the same way as the the units for the lid. 

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half and unfold.

Fold in half the other way and unfold. 

Step 4:

Bring the bottom to the middle crease line and fold. 

Fold down the upper left corner to the middle crease line. 

Flip the unit over. 

Step 5:

Bring the top edge over to the left side and crease then unfold.

Re-crease the middle fold on the bottom on the unit. Bring down the top part to make a unit like in the last picture. 

Fold all pieces of paper like this. 

Step 6:

Connect the units by inserting into each other as shown. I find it easier to attach two and then attach the halves together. Flip it over and close the white flaps up like you would a moving box. 

Connect the pieces for the base the same way then cover with the lid. 

Comments

[DebbiT4]

How much of the paper do you cut off?

[DebbiT4]

How much of the paper did you cut to have different sizes?

[NatureGeek24]

This is so pretty. What size sheets of paper did you start witih? What is the finished size?

[LuisR238]

Has you said:

"...people like the box so much that they consider it a gift in and of itself."

Good instructions. No problem to make it.

I suggest to improve/detail the connection (between step 5 and step 6) especialy the part "inserting into each other".

Sorry about my english...

[LMonkey]

what is the difference between origami paper and normal paper?

[whitney.lauren.31]

Can you please explain step six? I don't understand how to put the pieces into one another. I tried to figure it out by going onto youtube and looking up similar models but i am confused. Thank You!

[bmcrumb]

It would be very helpful if you could better explain the first part of step 5. I simply can't figure out what you mean when you say "Bring the top edge over to the left side and crease then unfold." I can'tell visualize the movements. Do I unfold all of the folds done so far or just part of them? *very puzzled* Thanks for sharing your tutorials with us.

[0erika0]

i understood steps 1-4 but when i got towards the end of step 5 i did'nt understand how to get the fold that was in the last picture.

[melitauro]

Thanks for the tutorial.  I practised with ad papers that come in the mail and I plan to make lots for gift giving; but I still have to look for better materials at the dollar store.

[sumit1]

;)

[Daveejoneslock]

I seem to be stuck on step 5, what happens? I looked at the pictures and the first one threw me off. I got up to step 4 so I just don't know how you got that in your first pic.

[Daveejoneslock]

I seem to be stuck on step 5, what happens? I looked at the pictures and the first one threw me off. I got up to step 4 so I just don't know how you got that in your first pic.

[leahoh]

I am not attaching any correctly now :( could you explain it? I'm a little stupid I think.

[leahoh]

How do you connect the pieces once they're folded? I've attached the two halves but can't connect all four :(

[sherrycayheyhey]

They all connect the same way so if you can connect two you should be able to connect four. Keep trying or you could make a plain paper 'test' one that you won't be afraid to handle a little rougher.

[mydogiscute]

how do you do it so perfectly???

[sherrycayheyhey]

Haha thanks but trust me they are far from perfect. I've been doing origami since 3rd grade so I've had about 14 years experience and that helps a bit. It usually takes me longer to fold stuff because I try to line up everything as neatly as I can and I guess that's what makes it look clean.

As far as tips go I suggest to take your time to fold neatly and take extra care with the first few creases as these are usually used as guides later on.

[sunshiine]

So pretty! Thanks for sharing!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Another great origami box!

[sherrycayheyhey]

Duuuh... just kidding, thank you