Wrap Your Gifts with Origami Boxes

As we approach the gift-giving season, it's always nice to have some new fun ways to wrap up all of those packages. The tower of packages above was created using an age old origami technique and brand new paper from the Making Memories Paper Reverie line. These boxes not only turn out absolutely gorgeous, but they are so simple to do...even for the origami novice. Here are the simple steps you will need to follow:

Step 1: Begin with a square piece of paper. The patterned side (the side you want on the outside of the box) should be facing down as shown.

Fold the paper in half and unfold.

Step 2: Turn the paper 90 degrees and fold in half again and unfold.

Where the folds cross is the center of the paper and will be used as your guide for the steps to follow.

Step 3: Fold each corner in so that it meets the center.

Step 4: Turn your paper 45 degrees. Fold the edge of the paper closest to you up so that it meets the center point of your paper.

Step 5: Turn the paper around and fold the other side to meet the center as well.

Step 6: Unfold the folds you made in steps 4 and 5.

Step 7: Turn the paper 90 degrees repeat steps 4 and 5 but on the sides that have not yet been folded.

Step 8: Unfold the folds you made in Step 7.

You have completed all of the folding that will be required. Now we will put the box together.

Step 9: Unfold the top and bottom corners.

Step 10: While holding up the still-folded sides, pinch in the corners (as shown below where my index fingers are) and bring up the back corner and fold down into the interior of the box.

Repeat on the other side:

You now have the bottom of your box!

To create the box lid, repeat steps 1-3.

In steps 4-7 you will still fold the edges in, but fold them so that they are about 1/8" to 1/4" (depending on the size of paper you start with) shy of the center point as shown below.

Continue with steps 8-10 as shown above and you will have created your box lid. This lid should fit together nicely with the box bottom you have created.

Using a 6"x6" piece of paper, your box will be about this size:

Using a 12"x12" piece of paper, your box will be quite a bit larger, like this:

This simple box is sure to impress anyone on your gift-giving list and there are tons of great papers to choose from, so the options are endless!

I want to send out a special thank you to our teacher, Vicky Mihara Avery from Mountain Valley Paper, who was kind enough to visit this past week and give us a tutorial on this and other great gift wrapping ideas. Thanks Vicky!

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Amanda