Homemade Light Box?

I have yet to own a DSLR;  but I think I, or anyone, could greatly benefit from owning a softbox, because of the even lighting (all around and on top) that would be hitting the subject (instead of just the harsh lighting provided by a built-in flash, which leave a lot of unwanted, stark shadows).

Of course, it'd be nice to also have a digital SLR .  But, in the meantime...

Most of it, for me, has been just experimenting a lot with the camera's manual settings.  You can accomplish a lot, by deciding, for yourself, how things are to be shot, rather than letting the camera decide for you. I liken this to driving a stick, rather than an automatic. You have more control of the vehicle, that way.  You feel more like you're driving the car, rather than the car, driving you. 

Using a tripod (for low light situations), and having a wide range of lights (Yes - I mean tail-standable high-powered flashlights, with different tints) , also help to frame and light the subject better, since I don't really have a dedicated external flash unit, to speak of. I never got around to buying one.   Probably don't really need one, either; but you have to have a lot of patience with yourself, and your camera, to discover what seems to work, and what doesn't.  It's all about what look you're going for, then taking the necessary steps to achieve that look.  It's a lot of trial and error, for me, anyway.

So yes - even your modest point 'n shoot may have some kind of manual control (what model do you have?), and getting a handle on whatever you can do, manually, would help greatly.  Even if not, the extra lighting provided by the softbox, combined with the use of a tripod, would smoothen things out (lighting-wise), all the way around.