Origami Christmas Decorations

20/11/2016

This weekend I taught two origami workshops on the theme of Christmas decorations. I thought I'd share the links to the projects here so that you can try them too. In each case I have provided a link to a diagram or set of photo instructions, as well as a link to an instructional Youtube video. The videos are really useful if you are new to interpreting origami diagrams. I have numbered the folds in order of difficulty.

A big thank you to all the origamists and bloggers who have shared their ideas and designs for others to enjoy.

PS Maths fans will particularly appreciate the clever set of folds which produce a regular pentagon from a starting square and a single cut (video number 3 below).

Stars and Wreaths

1.        Christmas Wreath:
Diagram: http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/homemade-christmas-decorations.html
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eRvQndCJz8

2.        Lucky Stars (from 1:20 to 1:30 strips):
Diagram: http://www.origami-fun.com/support-files/origami-lucky-star-print.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Woj9oP3AI

3.        5-Pointed Star (from a pentagon; see video):
Video: http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/5-pointed-origami-star.html

4.        Froebel Stars and Wreaths (from approx. 1:25 strips):
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5NplkRIwcw

5.        Modular Gift Star (‘dollar star’):
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj3dgRJ3mUs

Balls and Baubles

1.        Simple Christmas Tree (with a Lucky Star on top):
Diagram: http://www.origami-fun.com/support-files/origami-pine-tree-print.pdf

2.        Fluted diamond:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-3U_vu_4JY

3.        Stellated Octahedron by Sam Cuilla:
Diagram: https://content.instructables.com/FWL/H3VO/I2D6IQ4T/FWLH3VOI2D6IQ4T.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwUW5QOY_ZU

4.        Gyroscope by Lewis Simon:
Diagram: http://web.archive.org/web/20070319203345/http://www.fabricorigami.com/misc/pdffiles/misc55.pdf
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFelvhmFANs

5.        Christmas Cracker Gift Box:
Instructions and Video: http://www.paperkawaii.com/2014/12/07/origami-christmas-cracker-video-tutorial/

Happy folding :)

11 Comments

charlie linley

19/12/2018 10:22:35 am

i really enjoyed looking at these paper folding crafts. i really enjoy my art and this has made me enjoy it even more.

Clarissa

20/12/2019 08:09:39 am

Glad to hear that, Charlie. Happy Crafty Christmas :)

Tara F link

4/12/2020 09:45:00 am

Great read thhanks

Don’t want to say lol

5/12/2021 04:53:24 am

For the stars I can’t access number 3 or 5

best player ever

19/12/2023 02:38:11 pm

thank you guys

Matthew

19/12/2023 04:25:35 pm

This is so cool!

Lisa

20/12/2023 01:39:51 pm

These are lovely. Thank you for posting.
I wonder if there is another link for the "Stellated Octahedron by Sam Cuilla"?
Merry Christmas!
Lisa

20/12/2023 05:02:20 pm

Hi Lisa, I've now added a fresh link. Enjoy!

Ruby

1/12/2024 08:54:35 pm

Thank you, these crafts are the absolute bestest.

Informatika link

16/5/2025 07:39:42 am

Which origami design did your participants enjoy the most? I think using videos is a great idea, especially for beginners learning the folds.

28/5/2025 11:32:04 am

Lucky stars always go down well! And the christmas tree (with a lucky star on top) is a nice easy fold. The fluted diamond and gyroscope make great origami baubles and are accessible to teenagers. Enjoy!

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