Paper Crafts Origami

9 Christmas Origami Projects

Easy Christmas Origami Projects for Kids and Adults

Christmas origami
Tania Araujo / Getty Images

Christmas origami projects make holiday decorating easy and fun for the whole family. Plus, sitting down and engaging in some quiet time provides a much-needed reprieve from your busy everyday life. The Christmas origami ideas we've included here feature easy projects that can be tackled by beginners, as well as intermediate designs for those looking for a challenge. Use your creations to make a Christmas garland, place on a mantel, or decorate a window. Then, tuck them away when Christmas is over, and break them back out again the following year for a little holiday nostalgia.

  • 01 of 09

    Origami Santa

    Two origami Santas
    Chrissy Pk

    These cute origami Santas work best with origami paper that is white on one side and red on the other. However, you can achieve the same creation using white paper, and then coloring in the red parts. Make them together with your kids and let them decorate the Santas with pom-poms and different facial expressions. Then, punch a hole in the hats and hang them from a string to create a whimsical Christmas garland.

  • 02 of 09

    Christmas Tree Card

    Two origami Christmas tree cards, one with a blue and other orange background.
    Chrissy Pk

    These 3D origami Christmas trees can be used to make festive handmade cards, tree ornaments, or paper garlands. They can also stand on their own as a decoration for the table or a mantel. Make the trees in different sizes, using different shades of green paper, and then affix them to a colorful card for a 2D design.

  • 03 of 09

    Lucky Stars

    Origami lucky stars bowl with several dozen origami stars inside.
    Paper Kawaii

    These cute mini origami lucky stars are easy to make using strips of paper. Choose your favorite Christmas wrapping paper, or another colored paper for this 3D design. Then, using a needle and thread, create a garland to hang in a window or around your Christmas tree. You can also hot glue stars onto the top of an origami Christmas tree, onto a gift-wrapped package, or onto cardstock to make homemade Christmas cards.

  • 04 of 09

    Origami Apple

    This origami apple is made from one sheet of square paper that's first folded into a pentagon. And, don't worry—it sounds harder than it is! Use thick or textured cardstock paper to make the apple, and then gift it to your teacher for Teacher Appreciation Day or another special holiday.

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  • 05 of 09

    Origami Water Bomb

    Inflatable origami stars in orange and yellow.
    Chrissy Pk

    This origami water bomb, designed by Sam Ciulla, is made from one sheet of square paper. After it's made, simply find the hole and then inflate your creation by blowing into it. These origami water bombs look wonderful hanging on the Christmas tree on a garland, and can also be displayed on a mantel in bowls. You can also make geometric Santas from this creation by adding a face, a hat, and a beard.

  • 06 of 09

    Hex Star

    Origami hexagon stars in olive green and silver.
    Happy Folding

    These origami hex stars, designed by Maria Sinayskaya, are made using six strips of paper and are quite easy to fold. Use paper of different colors, or even metallic paper, to bring in some festive cheer. Hang the stars from the ceiling with string, or create a garland for your Christmas tree.

  • 07 of 09

    Christmas Cracker

    Six origami Christmas cracker holders in rainbow colors.
    Paper Kawaii

    If you're up for the challenge, these origami Christmas crackers will test your origami-making skills. Once complete, these faux "crackers" actually open in the middle, so there's no bang. This kid-friendly gift may come without a "pop," but the upside is your guests get to keep the cracker after they open it.

  • 08 of 09

    Origami Christmas Tree

    Three origami Christmas trees.
    Jo Nakashima

    This origami tree by Jo Nakashima is made from six sheets of square paper. Keep in mind that this design is an intermediate-level project, so if you've never folded origami before, you might want to try your hand at one of the easier projects before tackling this 3D model. Once complete, stand your tree alone on a mantel, or create a mini forest on a shelf or above the fireplace.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below
  • 09 of 09

    Sakura Star

    Origami pink sakura star.
    Paper Kawaii

    This origami sakura star from Ali Bahmani is a more advanced origami project, suitable only for those who have previously tackled a few intermediate designs. The resulting origami star flower makes a lovely Christmas tree decoration, or a topper for the tree when made in a larger size.