Some origami models are just paper; others carry a secret. This one does both. Designed by Florence Temco, the secret heart looks like an ordinary folded heart from the outside, but give it a gentle pull and it opens into a little box with just enough room for a handwritten note.

That is what makes it such a lovely thing to give. Fold one in red paper for Valentine's Day, tuck in a short message, and hand it to someone who will not suspect a thing until the heart comes apart in their hands. You will fold two pieces: the heart box itself, then a slightly larger lid using exactly the same steps, so once you finish the first one the second goes quickly. Nineteen steps sounds like a lot, but most of them are simple creases and the whole thing needs nothing more than two squares of paper.

Learn how to make an origami secret heart message box. This charming design by Florence Temco starts out as a heart and opens up to reveal a hidden note inside. Follow the step-by-step origami instructions below and you will find it easier than it looks. The red origami heart stands for love, so all you have to do is write your message, tuck it inside, and pass it on.

STEP 1. Make creases by folding each corner over to the opposite corner, then unfold.

STEP 2. Make creases by folding all four corners to the center point, then unfold and turn the paper over.

STEP 3. Fold the top and bottom corners to the center point where the creases from step 2 cross.

STEP 4. Fold both the top and bottom edges to the center along the dotted lines.

STEP 5. Fold both the top and bottom edges in to the center line.

STEP 6. Make a crease by folding the left corner over to the left corner of the square at the right end of the model.

STEP 7. Make a crease by folding the right corner over to the right corner of the square at the left end of the model.

STEP 8. Open the upper layer and make a valley fold along the black dotted line.

STEP 9. Flatten the square at the right end of the model and fold its right corner over to the left corner.

STEP 10. Fold both the top and bottom corners to the center line along the dotted lines.

STEP 11. Fold the left corner of the upper layer to the right along the dotted line.

STEP 12. Fold the left edge of the square (the upper layer) over to the right edge.

STEP 13. Open the upper layer and make a valley fold along the black dotted line.

STEP 14. Flatten it, then fold the left corner over to the right along the dotted line.

STEP 15. Fold both the top and bottom corners to the center line along the dotted lines.

STEP 16. Fold the right corner in to the center point along the dotted line.

STEP 17. The origami heart box is done. Now take a slightly larger sheet of paper and fold a lid the same way.

STEP 18. Fold all the corners behind along the dotted lines.

STEP 19. The origami secret heart box is done. Open it up and the heart becomes a box.