Few things say “I made this for you” like a little paper heart you can actually seal a note inside. This origami heart envelope is one of the easiest thoughtful folds out there — just a square sheet, a handful of creases, and a few minutes.

It’s the kind of project that works as a valentine, a party favor, or a tiny gift tag. Let’s fold one together.

The origami heart envelope is very easy to make, and it’s pretty and useful at the same time. It’s the perfect envelope to hold a note for your sweetheart, and a lovely alternative to a standard valentine card.

If you’ve folded origami before, some of the early steps will be extremely easy. Even if this is your first time, the steps stay easy as long as you follow along page by page. Photos are included to guide you, and you’ll be able to fold an origami heart envelope in just a few minutes.

STEP 1. Start with a square piece of origami paper. If you only have regular 8.5×11 paper, follow the instructions to make a square sheet.

STEP 2. Fold the paper in half by bringing the top corner down to the bottom corner.

STEP 3. Fold the left corner to the right corner.

STEP 4. Fold the top layer in half by bringing the right corner to the bottom corner.

STEP 5. Unfold the top layer. We only want the crease.

STEP 6. Squash-fold the top layer. To do this, open the top layer along the creases you just made and flatten it down.

STEP 7. Turn the figure over.

STEP 8. Fold the left corner to the bottom corner.

STEP 9. Unfold. We only want the crease.

STEP 10. Squash-fold the left flap using the crease you just made.

STEP 11. Turn the figure upside down.

STEP 12. Fold the top layer down as shown, but not all the way down. Almost done!

STEP 13. Turn it over to the other side.

STEP 14. Fold the top layer down as you did on the other side.

STEP 15. Fold the top flaps down to the sides as shown. (Don’t worry about the crease in the middle — that was my mistake.)

STEP 16. Now fold a small portion of the top corner on both sides down as shown.

STEP 17. Fold in the left and right corners as shown.

STEP 18. Just turn the figure around and you’ll have a working origami heart envelope.