At first glance, this project may look overwhelming because of all the steps. It really isn't--I'm a very visual person, so I've included a photo for every step, hoping that it will make things easier on you. Follow these directions carefully--exact (or near exact) folding will ensure an even box.
Two sheets of paper or cardstock
1. Begin with two sheets of paper--one to make the bottom, and one to make the top. These two sheets must be a square shape (not a rectangle), so cut them down if needed.
You can use paper or cardstock. The thinner the paper, the weaker the box. However, the thicker the paper,the harder it is to fold! I usually use cardstock on the bottom, and paper on the top. The cardstock gives the box stability, but the paper on the top allows me to find fun prints down the scrapbook aisle.
2. Fold square sheet of paper in half, matching one corner with the opposite corner, creating a triangle shape.
3. Open the sheet of paper, and using the same technique, fold the other two opposite corners together.
4. Open the paper again, and you should see a big creased "X" across the page. I've put black lines on the paper so that you can see where the creases are at. The intersected point of these two lines is the center of the paper.
5. Fold one corner of the paper up to meet the center line.
6. Fold the remaining three corners into the center line.
7. Take one edge of the square, and fold it over to meet the center line.
8. Fold the opposite side of the paper the same way to create a folded rectangle.
9. Open the paper...it should have several creases in it, and look like this:
10. Open the paper all the way--you'll have several creases in the inside. Once again, I've traced them in black for you to see. The four squares that I put an "X" through in the center of the paper will become the top (or bottom) of your box.
11. Using your scissors, make four cuts two full boxes up on opposite sides of the paper--up until you reach the edge of the squares with the "X" marked in them. Be sure that you don't cut into the middle area (see photo for direction).
12. Your left with four "flaps". Fold one of the larger sides up, and push the flaps forward.
13. Fold the corner down inside the box to create the side of your box.
14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 for the opposite side.
15. Fold one remaining flap up and over the side of the box to create the third side.
16. Repeat step 15 for the last side. 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 if you choose...but you really don't need it. You may also choose to put felt, or another color piece of paper in the bottom (or the same color if you want to hide the flaps).
17. To make the bottom of the box, you'll want to make the square slightly smaller than the top sheet of paper was. To do this, start with the same size sheet of paper that you used for the top. Fold the paper over to match opposite corners as you did in step one.
18. Open the sheet of paper, and fold it over to match the opposite corners together...HOWEVER don't match them completely...leave a little space to make up for the size difference in the bottom of the box. I drew a black line around the edges to show you about how much space to leave--it doesn't have to be exact--just eye it.
19. Trim the edge of the paper off that does not match up. This will give you a slightly smaller size square to use for the bottom of the box (so that the lid can fit over the bottom when you put them together).
20. Follow steps 1-16 to make the bottom of the box. Soon you'll have a perfect little gift box!