Make an Origami Christmas Ornament

These origami Christmas ornaments look impressive, but they're so simple to make. (They're also a creative way to use pretty wrapping paper scraps.)

Origami Butterfly Christmas Ornaments

These origami Christmas ornaments look impressive, but they're so simple to make. (They're also a creative way to use pretty wrapping paper scraps.)

By: Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Related To:

Wrapping paper, colored printing paper or old book pages can be great alternatives to origami paper. Experiment with different patterns and textures.

Materials Needed:

square sheet of paper
double-sided glue dots
string

scissors
embellishments (like washi tape or bells)

Gather Materials and Cut Square

Assemble all the craft materials (Image 1) and if not working with pre-formed origami sheets, start by cutting your sheet of paper into a square (Image 2). You can also choose the size, depending on how large or small you want the ornament to be. Trim accordingly.

Assemble all the craft materials together before you begin like paper, string, washi tape, beads, bells, glue dots and scissors.

If not working with pre-formed origami sheets, start by cutting your sheet of paper into a square. You can also choose the size, depending on how large or small you want the ornament to be. Trim accordingly.

Make an Origami Christmas Ornament With These Materials

Assemble all the craft materials together before you begin like paper, string, washi tape, beads, bells, glue dots and scissors.

Cut Your Paper Square

If not working with pre-formed origami sheets, start by cutting your sheet of paper into a square. You can also choose the size, depending on how large or small you want the ornament to be. Trim accordingly.

Add a + Crease

Place paper wrong side up on a flat working surface. Fold the paper in half aligning top and bottom edges neatly. Run along fold to get a crease (Image 1). Throughout the instructions make sure each crease is folded well so the butterfly stays intact. Unfold and turn paper ninety degrees (Image 2). Fold in half the other way. Crease. You should get a + shaped crease on the paper.

Unfold and turn paper ninety degrees. Fold in half the other way. Crease. You should get a + shaped crease on the paper. Make sure each crease is folded well.

Fold Paper in Half and Crease

Place paper wrong side up on a flat working surface. Fold the paper in half aligning top and bottom edges neatly. Run along fold to get a crease.

Fold the Opposite Way and Crease for a + Crease

Unfold and turn paper ninety degrees. Fold in half the other way. Crease. You should get a + shaped crease on the paper. Make sure each crease is folded well.

Add an X Crease

Unfold. Turn paper design side or right side up and fold paper diagonally. Unfold and fold diagonally the other way so you get an X crease on paper.

Fold Paper Diagonally to Add an X Crease

Unfold paper. Turn paper design side or right side up and fold paper diagonally. Unfold and fold diagonally the other way so you get an X crease on paper.

Form Triangle

Unfold. Using your finger, push the middle down so it pops in (Image 1). Bring the left and right horizontal creases together and collapse into a triangle (Image 2).

Unfold your paper. Using your finger, push the middle down so it pops in.

Bring the left and right horizontal creases together and collapse into a triangle.

Push the Middle Down Till it Pops

Unfold your paper. Using your finger, push the middle down so it pops in.

Form a Triangle

Bring the left and right horizontal creases together and collapse into a triangle.

Fold Top Layer Corners

Fold the left corner of the top layer to the top corner of the triangle (Image 1). Repeat with right corner and bring towards top corner of triangle (Image 2). Crease folds well (Image 3).

Fold Left Top Layer Corner

Fold the left corner of the top layer to the top corner of the triangle.

Fold Right Top Layer Corner

Repeat with right corner and bring towards top corner of triangle.

Make Sure to Crease Folds Well

Crease the folds well.

Flip and Fold

Turn over. Fold the corner past the edge about half an inch (Image 1). Gently crease the folds forming from the bottom layer (Image 2).

Fold the Corner

Turn the paper over. Fold the corner past the edge about half an inch.

Crease the Folds

Gently crease the folds forming from the bottom layer.

Fold Tiny Triangle

Fold the triangle that is past the edge over (Image 1-2). Push down with index finger and crease well (Image 3).

Continue to fold the triangle that is past the edge over.

Push down the triangle with your index finger and crease well.

Fold the Triangle Over

Fold the triangle that is past the edge over.

Continue to Fold the Triangle Over

Continue to fold the triangle that is past the edge over.

Push and Crease with Index Finger

Push down the triangle with your index finger and crease well.

Fold and Face Left

Fold along the center line (Image 1). Place back on flat surface and turn so that pointed triangle faces left (Image 2).

The next step is to fold along the center line.

Fold Along Center Line

The next step is to fold along the center line.

Turn Over and Face Left

Place back on flat surface and turn so that pointed triangle faces left.

Fold Flaps to Make the Face

While holding the pointed end, fold the top flap in a valley fold (Image 1). Mirror fold on the other side. This is the face of the butterfly (Image 2).

Make a Valley Fold

While holding the pointed end, fold the top flap in a valley fold.

Fold Other Side to Make Face

Mirror fold on the other side. This is the face of the butterfly.

Add Finishing Touches

Run string through glitter bell and tie ends together (Image 1). Place string in the center fold, add glue dots and pinch together until glue is set (Image 2). Your origami butterfly ornament is complete (Image 3)! Add beads, washi tape, or glitter to adorn if desired.