Origami is a Great Way to Make Inexpensive Christmas Decorations
Whether it is ornaments for the tree, or decorations for the mantle, or a lovely tablescape for the holiday dinner, or even gifts; origami presents many inexpensive and creative solutions.
Think Creatively About Your Source of Folding Material
Creative solutions can help you save money on your decorations.
- Origami paper
- Wrapping paper
- Pages from all those catalogs that come to your house
- Kraft paper
- Fabric (with stiffener)
- Wire mesh; aluminum, brass, copper
- polymer clay
- envelopes
Cut Your Own Squares
The easiest way to cut your own squares of origami paper from any number of sources, is to use a paper cutter. If you do not have one available, measure and mark your squares carefully.
The American Museum of Natural History Tradition
From Tree Toppers to Ornaments, Origami has a Tradition in Christmas Decorations
Every year, for more than thirty years, the Museum of Natural History in New York City has a Christmas tree, covered entirely in origami decorations. It is a display which draws large crowds, and relies on the work of many volunteers to have it come together.
Christmas of 2007 featured fantasy creatures. It had a large dragon that wrapped around the whole tree, along with unicorns, more dragons, mermaids, three headed dogs, etc. It was a spectacular sight.
If you are in New York City over the holidays, this is a place that should be on your list to visit. You will be amazed at what can be done with a simple sheet of paper.
Create a Tree Scape for your Mantle
Using Kirigami, make Christmas trees from paper or even wire mesh.
Christmas trees are easy to fold. Add a few cuts, and your transform your origami to kirigami. A kirigami tree allows you to add a star, and the pointed edges signifying branches of the tree. These trees were made from foiled paper (wrapping paper), and brass wire mesh.
Wire mesh is fairly easy to fold, although it resists being folded in the opposite direction of your original fold. It can be done, but it is not as easy as with paper. It will cut easily with a pair of craft scissors, and is available in most craft stores. You might want to wear heavy gloves when working with the mesh, or work very carefully. Otherwise, it is easy to hurt your fingers on the sharp edges of your square sheet of mesh.
The nice thing about making origami from other materials is that it is a wonderful surprise to many people. And if you are making the origami to give as a gift, surprises often make the best gifts!
Learn How to Fold Origami for Christmas
Origami for Christmas
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009) 
List Price: $14.95
Speak a Message of Peace with your Holiday Decorations
Origami cranes are symbols of peace, prosperity, long life and fidelity. Folding cranes has also been seen as an act of meditation. Maybe one day, a Christmas tree without an origami crane will seem as empty as one without stars, or angels.
Seeing Stars?? How about folding some stars for your Holiday Decorations?
Four points, five points, six points, eight points, and more. You can fold a variety of stars for the holiday decorating from origami. There are instructions for stars and other patterns available on-line.
These stars could be used to decorate a gift package. They could be made into ornaments. Or they could hang in a group on the wall for a seasonal decoration. I am sure many other ways of using them in your holiday decoration could be imagined.
Money for a Gift?
How about taking a new fold on the idea, and giving cash, folded into origami forms?
Origami makes the Perfect Gift
Whether you are stuck with what to do for that hard to shop for teen, or looking for something to give your restless school age child, origami might just fill the bill. Giving money always seems like a gift that didn't involve much effort or thought. You can easily change that perception when you fold the dollar bills into a variety of forms. A little rubber cement can be used to safely attach the piece to a card, or simply wrap it in a box. I have folded bills into a shirt and pants for that person who loves to shop. There are books specifically geared towards folding origami from dollar bills, and there are instructions available on the web.
Beyond folding dollar bills, consider an origami book or paper for a school age child, or the crafty friend. It is a great hobby, with endless possibilities. And, learning origami can also help a child learn about shapes, forms, and how to follow diagrams and instructions.
How About Origami Napkin Rings for that Hostess Gift?
Another Origami gift idea? How about a set of napkin rings, folded from a sheet of polymer clay. They will be a unique and long lasting gift that is perfect for that friend who loves to entertain. "Give the Gift of Origami! Especially for kids or those on your list who love to create."
Origami Gift set
Modular Origami Forms make Great Ornaments
Modular Origami involves folding from 6 to 60 or more individual units, and then interlocking those units to make a larger, multi-faceted form. These dodecahedrons are folded from business cards with images on one side. I have seen them folded from used commuter rail cards. They can also be folded from regular paper. These forms are simple to fold, and can be quite impressive in appearance. An Origami Christmas can be Yours!
Easy Christmas Origami
Amazon Price: $3.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
"Quick & Easy" Origami Christmas
Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/10/2009)
Origami for Christmas
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Will You Fold any Origami This Holiday Season?
Have you been inspired to do a bit of folding yourself, or perhaps think about origami as a gift idea for someone on your list?
Did you know that you could do so much with origami for the holidays?
Comfortdoc wrote...
Angel Blessings for donating an Origami Crane as an incentive for the Spirit of the Season Challenge.
Posted January 12, 2009
Pastiche wrote...
I have a rainbow 7-crane origami paper ornament that's a much loved favorite. Fun and fabulous lens, 5*, faved and 'rolled from my Christmas and crafts lenses to share the joy.
Posted January 03, 2009
JudyDunn wrote...
in reply to awelldressedbullet Thanks Kathy! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday as well. I will be thinking of you and wishing the very best for you in your efforts to quit smoking. I believe you will succeed!
Posted December 18, 2008
awelldressedbullet wrote...
What a fab idea and so creative! Judy, I wanted to drop by and wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and health, happiness and prosperity for 2009 - Kathy
Posted December 18, 2008
Not-Pop wrote...
I'll have to see how interested my kids are in doing this - I certainly am! Thanks for the terrific lens.
Posted December 02, 2008
Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...
Wonderful! I have a client who does origami and it is very therapeutic. *****
Posted December 01, 2008
Susan52 wrote...
What a beautiful lens! I love the idea and especially love the stars. (The green stars are particularly nice!) Great job on the lens! 5* and a blessing!
Posted December 01, 2008
Happiegrrrl wrote...
Very nice! I will have to see the History Museum tree since I am here in NYC.
Posted November 30, 2008
SemperFidelis wrote...
Very nice lens Judy! I love all the pictures used. 5* and favorited! ~ Colleen
Posted November 30, 2008
