Can I use primer on a cardboard box before using acrylic paint? And is using primer/gesso necessary in this situation?

I’m making a gift for my boyfriend (kinda complicated relationship), but I’m using a cardboard box and I want to color the flaps inside with acrylic paint since I don’t have gesso (or the ingredients to make gesso); I was wondering if I could use a primer instead or if using gesso/primer is even necessary?