How do I make Easy Origami Christmas Trees?
Are you ready to learn 3 ways that you can make easy Origami Christmas Trees? These beautiful decorations can be whipped up quickly for your Christmas table this holiday season. A great way to have a little bit of crafting fun and celebrate at the same time with the whole family.
These 3 methods allow you to make a paper tree that matches any ability level! Also you can use any color papers you would like, creating a forest of decorative trees in coordinating themes.
This craft has a lot of steps, with three different methods of making trees. So you can make them all or just skip to the easy origami Christmas tree that you would like to try.
Origami Christmas tree step-by-step instructions
If you would like to learn the 3D Christmas tree origami process and make an origami Christmas tree right along with me, click here to watch on a full length video tutorial. Pause at any time along the way to catch each step, one of the best ways to make sure you've got the right corners and folds!
Click here: 3 Ways to Make Easy Origami Christmas Trees Full Length Step by Step Tutorial.
Choosing your origami paper
You won't need much in the way of craft supplies for this project, but the paper is important! Each method for paper trees will give some instructions for what size and type of paper you'll need. You can use regular paper, computer paper, square origami paper (find at the craft store, it comes pre-cut in a square for you!), or even gift wrap or butcher paper.
Remember the size of the paper will give you different heights of a tree! For little Christmas trees, I would choose your method below before cutting your square of paper as some of the folds can be pretty small. For a large origami Christmas tree, you'll have to find creative ways to make different sizes! This would be the time to try larger paper like gift wrap or butcher paper.
3D Christmas tree origami - 3 Ways!
Simple Origami Christmas Tree #1: Folded
We are going to start with the origami Christmas tree design with the most steps, the folded tree, shown in the solid green paper in my photos. This is a good one for older kids as this little Christmas decoration has some more complicated folds.
Cut a single sheet of paper into a square with a pair of scissors. The larger the square, the larger the finished origami tree will be. I cut a square sheet of paper that is 11x11 inch in size for this example.
Fold the square into a triangle (corner to corner), unfold, fold it into a triangle the other direction, and unfold. Be sure to make good creases, these folds are important to make future folds easier.
Then fold the square into a rectangle (hamburger fold), unfold, then fold it into a rectangle the other direction.
Origami folds, step-by-step
With the square still folded into a rectangle, lay it on the table in front of you with the fold to the top.
Take the top right folded corner, open the right side of the square, and tuck that upper corner of the paper down inside of the square. Do the same thing with the top left folded corner.
This will make a triangle shape with the point to the top.
Fold top right flap, fold it into the center line and crease. Repeat that step with the top left flap.
Flip the paper over and fold those two flaps to the center line and crease as well.
Cut the bottom tips off these flaps from side to side so the bottom edge is even with the original part of the original folded triangle.
Open one of the front flaps and tuck the folded edge inside. This will cause that flap to become two flaps. Open and tuck the other front flap the same way.
Turn over the paper and tuck both of those flaps inside as well.
Now there are eight flaps on your festive origami Christmas tree!
I sure do like my bone folder and creaser tool- not a necessity but so handy when making origami.
How to Make the Paper Christmas Tree 3D!
Lay the tree down in front of you with the point to the top. On the right side, clip three slits into all of the flaps from the side and part way into the flaps.
Don’t cut all the way to the center, just cut to about ½-3/4 inch from the center crease. Try to make the slits an even distance apart and parallel to the bottom of the tree.
Repeat this from the left, or opposite side of the tree.
Do the next step on two flaps of the tree at a time. Start with the right two flaps.
Take the top edge corner of each of the slits that you cut and fold it down, making a diagonal edge. This creates the “branches” and the Christmas tree shape.
Repeat this step with the left two flaps.
Turn the paper over and repeat this last step with the right two flaps and then the left two flaps.
Separate each of the sets of two flaps so that there are eight flaps with folded down “branches”.
“Fluff” up so the branches so they go out in eight directions and the tree stands easily.
Isn’t that so cool! This one is my favorite!
Easy Origami Christmas Tree #2: Accordion
This is another great looking paper Christmas tree, shown in the red paper in my photos. You can use any size paper for this, as you'll draw the shape before you cut it out. It comes out taller if you use a full sheet of 8.5x11 inch paper.
A Simpler Foldable paper Christmas tree variation
Fold the paper in half the long way, hot dog fold.
Place it on the table in front of you with the fold to the right, one short end towards you.
Draw a Christmas tree shape from the top right folded corner to the bottom left unfolded corner. I made the branches kind of rounded on the tips, but you could make them pointed if you prefer.
Now draw sets of two lines from the fold out to about ¾ inch from the unfolded edges of the tree. The sets of lines are to be the same length and are about ¾ inch apart. Refer to the photo or video to make this step clear if needed.
Cut the slits you drew- cutting through all layers of each side of the tree.
Reach inside the folded tree and pull the center paper in each set of two lines out from the fold towards the unfolded edge of the tree. Crease it at the place where the slits end.
Open the tree up and it will stand- the folded pieces with make the tree look dimensional.
I like this Christmas tree too.
DIY Origami Christmas Tree #3: Cone
Ready for one more?
So this really isn’t origami, but it’s made from paper, Christmas wrapping paper that is!
This is the simplest to make and of course the quickest as well. It adds variety to the folded trees and young kids can easily make this one. It's great for a large or little tree!
Use an object that is large and round to draw a circle out of a piece of square paper. I used a large Tupperware bowl lid and Christmas wrapping paper. Cut out the circle.
Mark the center of the circle and cut a slit from the bottom edge into the center. Cut another slit from the right side into the center. This will remove a piece of paper from the circle that is about ¼ of the circle.
The easiest 3-D Paper Christmas tree!
Grab the two corner edges and overlap them to make the paper into a cone. The color side, or printed side of the paper will be on the outside of the cone of course.
Staple the edges to hold the cone shape in place. This will stand up on the table! you could also try using a glue gun or glue stick along the top flap, but I would highly recommend the staple as it holds so well.
Simple but cute!
A "Forest" of Easy Origami Christmas Trees!
You now have three very different shapes and types of Christmas trees. They will make a wonderful “forest” for you to display. Make as many Origami Christmas trees as you would like in all sizes, colors, and patterns of paper.
I was thinking that these trees would look nice made out of butcher paper, white paper, and white/beige/gold designed Christmas gift wrapping paper. That would make a dressy table centerpiece.
Or you could use red paper, black paper, and plaid Christmas wrapping paper in white and black or red and black. That would give you a whole other look!
Add greenery or white snow or a table runner underneath and boom, your table has a great centerpiece.
Use your origami trees to decorate everywhere!
These handmade paper Christmas trees were so much fun! They of course are great table decorations, but they would make a lovely addition to a fireplace mantle, set on a bookshelf, or on a dresser too.
Kids would be able to help, and you can match their ability level with the type of tree they make. This is true of adults too! 😉
So many options from just square pieces of paper! Be sure to leave pictures and let us see what you came up with.
More DIY Christmas Decorations
I just love Christmas time crafts, so much fun! If you are on a roll with Christmas crafts too and want more holiday decor you can create with the kids, check out the ideas below!
- Punched Tin Can Lanterns
- DIY Frosty the Snowman Hat Candle
- Glowing Paper Bag Luminaries
- EASY Glass Bowl Christmas Centerpiece
- DIY Button Candle Decorations
- Simple Decoupage Stained Glass Candle Holder
- No Sew Sock Gnome for Christmas
Enjoy!
Happy holidays! If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Come join the fun at https://welcometonanas.com
Supplies to Make Easy Origami Christmas Trees (3 Ways!)
- Paper in sizes and designs of your choice
- Designed or solid colored paper, Christmas wrapping, other papers like maps, butcher paper, etc.
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Bone folder & creaser tool (optional)
3 Ways to Make Easy Origami Christmas Trees
Equipment
- Scissors
- Stapler
- Bone folder & creaser tool (optional)
Items Required
- Paper in sizes and designs of your choice: Designed or solid colored paper, Christmas wrapping, other papers like maps, butcher paper, etc.
Instructions
- Simple Christmas tree origami #1:We are going to start with the origami Christmas tree design with more steps.Cut a piece of paper into a square. The larger the square, the larger the finished origami tree will be. I cut a square of paper that is 11x11 inch in size for this example.Fold the square into a triangle (corner to corner), unfold, fold it into a triangle the other direction, and unfold. These folds are important to make future folds easier.Then fold the square into a rectangle (hamburger fold), unfold, then fold it into a rectangle the other direction.
- With the square still folded into a rectangle, lay it on the table in front of you with the fold to the top.Take the top right folded corner, open the right side of the square, and tuck that upper corner down inside of the square. Do the same thing with the top left folded corner. This will make a triangle shape with the point to the top.Fold top right flap, fold it into the center line and crease. Repeat that step with the top left flap.Flip the paper over and fold those two flaps to the center line and crease as well.Cut the bottom tips off these flaps from side to side so the bottom edge is even with the original part of the original folded triangle.Open one of the front flaps and tuck the folded edge inside. This will cause that flap to become two flaps. Open and tuck the other front flap the same way.Turn over the paper and tuck both of those flaps inside as well.Now there are eight flaps on your origami Christmas tree!I sure do like my bone folder and creaser tool- not a necessity but so handy when making origami.
- Lay the tree down in front of you with the point to the top. On the right side, clip three slits into all of the flaps from the side and part way into the flaps. Don’t cut all the way to the center, just cut to about ½-3/4 inch from the center fold. Try to make the slits an even distance apart and parallel to the bottom of the tree.Repeat this from the left side of the tree.Do the next step on two flaps of the tree at a time. Start with the right two flaps. Take the top edge corner of each of the slits that you cut and fold it down, making a diagonal edge. This creates the “branches” and the Christmas tree shape. Repeat this step with the left two flaps.Turn the paper over and repeat this last step with the right two flaps and then the left two flaps.Separate each of the sets of two flaps so that there are eight flaps with folded down “branches”.“Fluff” up so the branches so they go out in eight directions and the tree stands easily.
- Origami easy Christmas tree #2:This is another great looking paper Christmas tree. It comes out taller if you use a full sheet of 8.5x11 inch paper. Fold the paper in half the long way, hot dog fold.Place it on the table in front of you with the fold to the right, one short end towards you.Foldable paper Christmas tree
- Draw a Christmas tree shape from the top right folded corner to the bottom left unfolded corner. I made the branches kind of rounded on the tips, but you could make them pointed if you prefer.Now draw sets of two lines from the fold out to about ¾ inch from the unfolded edges of the tree. The sets of lines are to be the same length and are about ¾ inch apart. Refer to the photo or video to make this step clear if needed.Cut the slits you drew- cutting through all layers of each side of the tree.
- Reach inside the folded tree and pull the center paper in each set of two lines out from the fold towards the unfolded edge of the tree. Crease it at the place where the slits end.Open the tree up and it will stand- the folded pieces with make the tree look dimensional.
- Easy origami xmas tree #3: Ready for one more?So this really isn’t origami, but it’s made from paper, Christmas wrapping paper that is!This is the simplest to make and of course the quickest as well. It adds variety to the folded trees and young kids can easily make this one. Use an object that is large and round to draw a circle out of paper. I used a large Tupperware bowl lid and Christmas wrapping paper. Cut out the circle.Mark the center of the circle and cut a slit from the bottom edge into the center. Cut another slit from the right side into the center. This will take out a piece of paper from the circle that is about ¼ of the circle.
- Grab the two corner edges and overlap them to make the paper into a cone. The printed side of the paper will be on the outside of the cone of course.Staple the edges to hold the cone shape in place. This will stand up on the table!
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