Project

Christmas Tree Napkin Fold

More than one tannenbaum can be found in your home for the holidays. Learn a few quick folds to turn linens into little trees. When personalized with star topper place cards—they're perfect for welcoming guests to the table.

Photography: Shanna Sullivan

Source: Martha Stewart

Introduction

We used a 20-by-20-inch dinner napkin for this origami-inspired idea. For a crisp look, we suggest that you iron the napkin before folding. Optional: Punch out a paper star "topper," personalize it with the handwritten name of a guest, and then this idea doubles as a place card.

For more ideas, scroll through our entire collection of napkin-folding projects.

materials

Napkin (Pictured: Rough Linen Limited Edition linen napkin, in Moss, 20", $20 each, roughlinen.com.)

steps

Lay the napkin faceup on a flat surface.
Fold the napkin in half.
Fold the napkin in half again, so that it's a quarter of its original size.
Position the napkin so it lies flat in a diamond shape with the open corners facing you.
Fold the open corner's top layer to meet the opposite corner (this will be the top peak of the "tree.") Repeat with each layer, staggering each one in descending order.
Repeat this with every layer, tucking each one into the upper fold.
Flip the napkin over so that the wrong side is facing you.
Fold the napkin into thirds, forming a kite shape.
Flip the napkin over so that the right side is facing you.
Fold the upper layer to the peak of napkin. Repeat this with every layer, tucking each one into the upper fold.
Tuck the bottom layer underneath the napkin.