Valentine’s Day is just one of the 365 days to show those special people in your life just how special they are. However, shopping for the perfect Valentine’s gift can be pricey. For those who want to show effort and dedication while on a budget, origami can be the perfect solution.

Origami is the art of paper folding. The history of this art form isn’t well documented. It is believed to have originated in Japan in the 15th century, although it is plausible that it originated in China. Despite its meager history, origami has become a worldwide activity. Similar practices, such as cloth and leather folding, were popular in Europe. Origami picked up popularity in North America following World War II, and has since become a very common art form. 

This is a fun and cheap activity, one that can be completed with what you most likely already have buried somewhere in your desk drawer. All you need are a few packs of sticky notes and a little time set aside to fold until your hands cramp. 

Origami can be a bit difficult to grasp at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making paper hearts non-stop. 

If you’re serious about getting into origami, these simple pieces are a good start. I recommend starting small and simple before moving on to bigger, more complicated projects. I started making these paper hearts in middle school. To this day, I find myself making them whenever I have scrap paper and free time. 

Here are the steps to make these origami paper hearts:

Fold your sticky note diagonally, then diagonally again in the opposite direction. When you unfold your paper, there should be an X in creased in your sticky note. 

Make sure the sticky side is on the inside of your folds, fold your top corner down to meet the intersection of the creases. Then, fold the bottom corner up to the top edge of the paper, aligning with the center crease. Next, fold one side up diagonally so it aligns with the center crease. Repeat on the other side. 

However, your heart is too pointy. Flip your paper upside down. Fold down the points on the top and sides of your heart. Not by much, just the tip to round out your heart. 

Now you have a paper heart! Repeat these steps until you have your desired amount of hearts. You don’t have to stop there.