19 Creative Christmas Origami Ideas: DIY Decorations, Gifts, and More

With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to think about festive decorations, thoughtful gifts, and unique ways to celebrate Christmas. If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor, Christmas origami is a perfect choice.

In this blog post, we’ll explore a range of Christmas origami ideas—from simple to advanced—that can be used as ornaments, gift toppers, table decorations, and more.


Getting Started: Materials You’ll Need

  • Origami Paper: Choose festive colors like red, green, gold, silver, or patterned holiday paper. Standard origami paper sizes (15×15 cm) work for most projects.
  • Ribbon or String: For hanging ornaments or garlands.
  • Glue or Double-Sided Tape: If you want to make more intricate designs or attach your origami to other surfaces.
  • Scissors: Only if a design requires cutting (some traditional origami patterns don’t use scissors).

Now, let’s dive into some fun Christmas origami ideas!

1. Origami Christmas Tree

One of the most iconic symbols of Christmas, the origami Christmas tree is a great project for beginners. It can be folded in various sizes, and you can use it as a table decoration, a gift topper, or string several together to make a garland. Here’s how you can use your origami Christmas trees:

  • Table Centerpiece: Create multiple trees in different sizes and place them on a festive table runner.
  • Ornaments: Attach a string and hang them on your Christmas tree.
  • Gift Wrapping: Glue a mini origami tree to a wrapped present for a personalized touch.

Tips for Decorating Your Trees:

  • Add small stickers or glitter to mimic ornaments.
  • Fold different shades of green paper to give your display depth and variety.

2. Origami Christmas Stars

Another classic design, the origami star, is versatile and beautiful. You can make stars in different sizes and use them in many ways:

  • Star Garland: Fold multiple stars in red, gold, or white and string them together to create a festive garland for your mantel or tree.
  • Hanging Ornaments: Use metallic origami paper for shiny, eye-catching stars to hang on your tree.
  • Gift Tags: Write a special message on the back of the star and attach it to a present.

Different Star Designs:

  • 5-Pointed Star: Simple yet elegant, perfect for beginners.
  • 3D Star: For a more advanced project, try folding a 3D star that will look stunning as a tree topper or window decoration.

3. Origami Santa Claus

Bring the holiday spirit to life with a charming origami Santa Claus. While this design may be more intricate, the result is worth the effort. A folded Santa can make a cute addition to your Christmas cards or gift wrapping.

  • Place Cards: Place an origami Santa at each table setting to welcome guests to your holiday dinner.
  • Stocking Stuffers: Fold a mini Santa and tuck it into stockings for a fun surprise.
  • Tree Ornaments: Santa ornaments are always a favorite, and making them by hand adds a personal touch.

Pro Tip:

To make your Santa extra festive, use red paper for the body and add a small cotton ball or sticker for his fluffy beard.

4. Origami Reindeer

The origami reindeer is another fun project that adds a playful holiday vibe to your home. It’s a bit more challenging, but the end result makes for a delightful decoration. These origami reindeer can be used in various ways:

  • Mantel Display: Create a reindeer herd to place on your mantel, or make a large one as a statement piece.
  • Gift Decorations: Attach a reindeer to your wrapped gifts for a whimsical touch.
  • Christmas Cards: Add a flat-folded reindeer inside your holiday cards for a surprise that recipients can use as decor.

Creative Tip:

Use brown paper for the reindeer’s body and a small red sticker or dab of paint for Rudolph’s nose!

image credit

fold the paper into these adorable reindeer heads

5. Origami Angels

The origami angel is a timeless design perfect for adding a serene, spiritual touch to your holiday decor. These angels can be delicate, so they’re best used in places where they can be admired without being handled too much.

  • Tree Ornaments: Hang your angels on the Christmas tree or place them at the top of the tree for a handmade tree topper.
  • Window Decorations: Use white or metallic paper to fold angels and tape them to your windows for a peaceful, ethereal look.
  • Gift Accents: Add an angel to your holiday gifts to remind recipients of the spiritual side of Christmas.

Advanced Idea:

Try creating a 3D angel with wings that flare out for a more elaborate design.

6. Origami Wreaths

Bring holiday cheer to your home by crafting an origami wreath. This design involves folding multiple units and then assembling them into a circle. Origami wreaths can be hung on doors, windows, or walls, offering a lovely festive touch to any room.

  • Mini Wreaths: Make smaller versions to hang on the Christmas tree or as embellishments for gifts.
  • Door Wreath: Create a larger wreath using green and red paper, and decorate it with a bow or small origami stars and holly.

Pro Tip:

For a unique twist, use patterned paper in plaid or stripes for a more rustic or modern holiday look.

7. Origami Snowflakes

Snowflakes are a classic winter symbol, and origami snowflakes are a beautiful way to bring that frosty magic indoors. Unlike traditional cut-out snowflakes, these folded designs offer more dimension and texture.

  • Window Display: Hang several snowflakes at varying heights in your windows to create a wintry scene.
  • Hanging Decor: Suspend your snowflakes from the ceiling or doorway for a magical, floating effect.
  • Holiday Cards: Glue a small origami snowflake onto your Christmas cards for an extra-special handmade touch.

Decorating Idea:

Use shimmery paper in shades of silver, white, or light blue to create snowflakes that glisten, just like real snow.

8. Origami Gift Boxes

Impress your loved ones by wrapping small gifts in origami gift boxes. These boxes are not only beautiful but also practical, making them ideal for gifting jewelry, candies, or other small items.

  • Personalized Gift Boxes: Use paper in the recipient’s favorite colors or patterns for a thoughtful touch.
  • Stackable Gifts: Create boxes in different sizes and stack them for a fun presentation under the tree.

Pro Tip:

Top each gift box with a miniature origami bow or star for an extra festive finish.

9. Origami Christmas Ornaments

Decorate your Christmas tree with handmade origami ornaments. There are so many shapes possible with origami so you can create a very unique Christmas tree to your taste. Use beads, bows and strings to add more texture and detail to your ornaments. These will be handy for seasons to come!

  • personal gift: gift your loved one a handmade ornament.
  • family activity: use the Advent season to craft these ornaments and add every day more ornaments to the Christmas tree. What a fun way to spend the winter season.

Conclusion

Christmas origami is a wonderful way to add handmade beauty to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re decorating your home, crafting personalized gifts, or simply enjoying a fun family activity, origami offers endless possibilities. From classic Christmas trees and stars to charming Santas and reindeer, these origami ideas will bring joy, creativity, and festive flair to your holiday season.

So grab your favorite paper, gather your loved ones, and start folding! Happy holidays!


Editorial Note: Morella&Ulalume Editors may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
Furthermore the content of this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Prior to making any health-related decisions, including the use of supplements or dealing with decisions that can affect your mental health, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare provider.


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