Why purchase gift boxes when you can make your own? You can choose the design, colour and patter of the paper. This simple folded box is made from two sheets of square paper and can be made in any size. This will also be much cheaper then buying your own gift box or buying a roll of wrapping paper.
You can customise the boxes with drawings, rubber stamps and other embellishments. Follow the step by step guide explaining how to make this folded box. Although there are lots of steps to this project, once you make a box once it gets much quicker and easier.
What you will need
- Two sheets of paper or card (this can be from magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes, old wrapping paper etc)
- Scissors
- Glue (optional)
Step 1
Begin with two sheets of paper - one to make the bottom of the box, and one to make the top. These two sheets must be a square shape (not a rectangle), cut them if needed.
Step 2
Fold one square sheet of paper in half, matching one corner with the opposite corner, creating a triangle shape.
Step 3
Open the sheet of paper, and using the same technique, fold the other two opposite corners together to make a crease in the paper.
Step 4
Open the paper again, and you should see a creased 'X' across the page. The intersected point of these two lines is the centre of the paper.
Step 5
Fold one corner of the paper up to meet the centre point.
Step 6
Fold the remaining three corners into the centre point.
Step 7
Take one edge of the square, and fold it over to meet the centre line.
Step 8
Fold the opposite side of the paper the same way to create a folded rectangle.
Step 9
Open these and repeat the other way.
Step 10
Open the paper...it should have several creases in it.
Step 11
Using your scissors, make four cuts on opposite sides of the paper. Be sure that you don't cut into the middle smaller square area (this is the base or the top).
Step 12
You are left with four 'flaps'. Fold a the larger triangle side into the middle and up, and push the flaps forward over the small square edges.
Step 13
Fold the flaps down inside the box to create the side of your box.
Step 14
Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the opposite side.
Step 15
Fold both remaining flap up and over the side of the box to create the third side.
Step 16
Fold creases down firmly around the edges to help it hold its shape. You can put a dot of glue on the inside of the flaps. You may also choose to put a piece of fabric or paper in the bottom to hide the flaps.
Step 17
To make the bottom of the box, the square needs to be slightly smaller than the top sheet of paper was. Repeat all the steps above.
When you have completed these two half boxes, place the bottom inside the top. You will now have your finished give box!
Handy tip
- Folding carefully and straight will ensure an even box.
- The thinner the paper, the weaker the box the thicker the paper, the harder it is to fold!
- You may want to try card at the bottom and paper at the top.