How To Make An Origami Gift Box

So as I promised in my last post, today I want to show you how to fold a paper Gift Box.

I think knowing how to fold a paper Gift Box is an important tool to have in your crafting arsenal. Once you know how to do it, you can make one in any size you like using any paper you have to hand.

They're easier to make than you'd think. And I have a few tips to share which will help you get the best results : )

You will need a square of paper for each of the top and the bottom of the box. So to make a lidded box, you will need 2 squares of paper. You can make them in any size you like - the process is the same. But just remember that the paper for the bottom needs to be about 1 - 1.5cm (1/2") smaller than the paper for the top.

When cutting out your paper, it’s worth taking the time to carefully cut perfect squares. And I would always recommend using a bone folder or something similar to make your creases. Both of these will give your finished box a neat, uniform shape.

And as a general rule, the heavier the paper you use, the sturdier your box will be. And when folded & finished, your box will be about 1/3 of the size of the original square.

For the one I've made here, I've chosen a design from the new 'Silver Floralie' Collection, printed onto 2 x A4 sheets of 120gsm paper.
The squares I've cut measure 20cm (8") square & 21cm (8 1/2") square & will make a 7 1/2cm x 3 1/2cm (3″ x 1.5″) square lidded box.

HOW TO FOLD AN ORIGAMI GIFT BOX

You will need ...
2 pieces of patterned paper one 20cm square & the other 21cm square
Bone folder. (You could use the edge of a ruler if you don't have one)

Step One
Lay your paper on your work surface with the wrong side facing up & fold it in half, straight edge to straight edge. Press the fold with your fingertips & crease with a bone folder.

Open your paper, turn it 90 degrees & repeat to fold, press & crease the opposite straight edges together.

Step Two
Open your paper
Next, fold one corner to the other on the opposite side. Before you use the bone folder, double-check to make sure that the crease runs right up to the corner points on either edge of the fold.

Open your paper & repeat to fold the other two corners to one another, and crease the fold.

Open up your paper. It should look like this.

Step Three
Fold each corner up to meet the centre point. This is the point where all of the creases intersect. Press the fold in place. And crease.

Repeat to fold each corner to the centre.

Step Four
With your paper still folded, fold the bottom edge of the square up to meet the point where all of the corners intersect in the middle. Press the fold & crease.

Then repeat to fold the top edge down to the centre too.

Open up your last two folds & turn 90 degrees. Repeat to fold the opposite edges to the centre ...

… like this.

Step Five
Open up your last 2 folds. And pulling gently from the centre, open up two of the corner edges opposite each other.

Turn your paper. And using the creases you have already made as a guide, lift along two opposite folded edges. These will form 2 sides of your finished box.

Now, working on one of the open corners, & using your existing crease lines only, fold in the sides & lift.

Again using only your existing crease lines, fold it down & over to create the 3rd side of your box. The corner point should sit right in the middle of the bottom of your box ...

… like this.

Repeat at the opposite side to create the 4th side of your box.

And the bottom half of your little Gift Box is finished!

I like to cut a square of card to pop in the bottom of my box to strengthen it & cover the loose edges to give it a neat finish. A little dab of glue on the underside or a piece of pretty washi tape would hold them securely in place too.

Now repeat the exact same steps on the other piece of paper to create the lid. And your Gift Box is complete!

Lovely aren't they?

And in addition to being perfect for giving gifts at any time of year, they make pretty storage for your craft room too : )



Credits
Patterned Papers: 'Floralie in Silver' printed onto plain White Copy Paper.