Origami Christmas tree and festive star

28/11/11

Get into the festive spirit by making these cute christmas crafts to decorate your living room.

5 point star:

What youʼll need:

Coloured card

A ruler

Scissors

Step 1: Cut 5 perfect squares out of your desired coloured card. It is very important that they are all exactly the same size. The size of these squares will also dictate the size of the finished star. For example, squares that are 10.5 x 10.5 cm will create a star that is 10.5 cm across.

Step 2: Take one of your squares. Fold it in half, then in half again, as shown above. Make sure the folds are creased well, then open the square out again.

Step 3: Turn the square over and fold in half again diagonally and in both directions.

Step 4: Take the points indicated in the diagram above and fold bring them down to the centre of the bottom. You should now have a triangle shape. Make sure it is nice and flat.

Step 5: Fold the bottom corners on one side of your triangle to the top point. Unfold so you are left with a nice crease, but the paper is still in itʼs triangle shape. Repeat for the bottom corners on the reverse side.

Step 6: Repeat the previous steps with each of your squares of card. You should now have 5 little triangles.

Step 7: Here is where it can get a little bit tricky. You now need to join the triangles together: Take two triangles, and slip the bottom points of one inside the other. Make sure the points are in as far as they will go.

Step 8: pull the centre crease outwards on both sides of the shape. You should now have a “mouth” on the flat side of the shape.

Step 9: Continue to add your triangles of card, repeating steps 7 and 8 as you go. You should now have a lovely little star, perfect to go on top your tree!

Christmas tree

What youʼll need:

Coloured card A ruler Scissors

Step 1: Take a square of card and fold it in half diagonally in both directions with a nice firm crease.

Step 2: Unfold the square and turn it over. Then fold the square in half again, this time from broad side to broad side in both directions, as shown in the above diagram.

Step 3: Bring the top 3 corners of your square down to the top 3 corners, using the creases you made in steps 1 and 2. You should be left with a diamond with a line vertically running down it. Flatten your new shape.

Step 4: Fold the outside right edge of your diamond in towards the central crease of the shape.

Step 5: Take the bottom point of the crease you have just made and pull it towards the opposite edge of the diamond. Flatten the shape. You should be left with a triangle in the middle of your diamond.

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5 on the other 3 sides of your shape. Make a crease along the bottom of the shape along the line shown in the diagram above.

Step 7: Fold the bottom part of the shape in on itself along each corner of the shape to create a flat edge along the bottom of your tree.

Step 8: Now you should be have a tree shape that is able to stand up on its own! Adjust the corners to give it a nice even look.

Now youʼre ready to add some of your own decorations!