30 easy DIY paper Christmas decoration ideas
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Ready to add a personal, magical touch to your Christmas decor this year? You don’t need to spend a fortune! All you need is some paper, a pair of scissors, and a little festive spirit. Let’s get crafting!
1. Classic Paper Snowflakes
These are a timeless holiday craft, perfect for creating a winter wonderland feel on your windows or tree.
How to: Start with a square piece of white paper. Fold it diagonally in half to form a triangle, then fold that triangle in half again. Fold it into thirds (like a fan) and cut a pointed shape from the top. Then, get creative! Snip out triangles, curves, and notches from the folded sides. When you unfold it, you’ll have a unique snowflake.
2. Paper Christmas Tree Cones
These mini Christmas trees are a perfect centerpiece for a table or mantel, adding a touch of whimsy to any display.
How to: Take a piece of green or patterned cardstock. Roll it into a cone shape, securing it with glue or tape. Decorate the cone with glitter, sequins, or small pom-poms to make it look like a tiny Christmas tree.
3. Paper Garland Chains
This classic craft brings a nostalgic, old-fashioned charm to your decor and is simple enough for even the little ones to help with.
How to: Cut strips of colorful paper. Make a loop with one strip and glue the ends together. Then, thread another strip through the first loop, glueing its ends together to create a chain. Repeat until your chain is as long as you want.
4. 3D Paper Stars
These elegant, multi-dimensional stars are a stunning addition to your tree, a garland, or a window display.
How to: Cut out five long strips of paper. Tie the strips together in a knot, then fold the ends over each other. Continue folding the ends over the pentagon shape you’ve created until a small point is left. Tuck the end in and then press your thumbnail into the sides of the pentagon to puff out the star.
5. Paper Wreath with Leaves
Give your front door a festive welcome with this colorful paper wreath, complete with beautiful green leaves and red berries.
How to: Cut a ring shape from a piece of cardboard to use as the base. Cut out dozens of leaf shapes from green paper. Glue the leaves onto the cardboard ring, overlapping them slightly to make it look full. Add small red circles for berries.
6. Paper Angel Ornaments
These sweet little angels are a perfect way to add a heavenly touch to your Christmas tree or as a unique tree topper.
How to: Roll a piece of white paper into a cone for the body. Glue it to secure the shape. Cut a smaller circle for the head and glue it on top. Then, cut out two wing shapes and attach them to the back of the cone.
7. Accordion Paper Christmas Trees
Create beautiful texture and dimension with these folded paper trees, which look great on a mantel or as part of a village scene.
How to: Cut out a few paper triangles. Fold each triangle into a small accordion shape. Layer them on top of one another, securing with glue, to make a tiered tree with texture.
8. Paper Gift Tags
Add a personal touch to all your presents with these custom paper gift tags—they’ll make your gifts feel extra special.
How to: Cut out simple Christmas shapes like bells, stars, or trees from cardstock. Punch a hole at the top of the shape and tie a piece of twine or ribbon through it. You can write your message on the back.
9. Paper Candle Luminaries
Create a warm, festive glow with these paper luminaries that are perfect for a cozy Christmas evening.
How to: Cut out festive shapes like stars or snowflakes from a piece of paper. Wrap the paper around a battery-powered candle, securing it with tape or glue. The light will shine through the cutouts!
10. Paper Santa Hats
These small Santa hats are a fun and whimsical decoration that can be used as party favors or ornaments.
How to: Make a small red cone out of paper. Add a white strip of paper around the bottom and a small white paper circle or pom-pom on the top.
11. Paper Bow Gift Toppers
Make your gifts look perfectly wrapped with these elegant paper bows that are a great alternative to store-bought toppers.
How to: Cut several paper strips of varying lengths. Form them into loops and secure with glue. Arrange the loops in a bow shape and attach to the top of a gift.
12. Paper Stockings Garland
Hang this playful garland of tiny paper stockings on your mantel or wall to add a pop of color and holiday cheer.
How to: Cut out small stocking shapes from a variety of colorful papers. You can add a white trim at the top if you like. Punch holes in the tops of the stockings and string them together.
13. Paper Holly & Berries
Bring a classic holiday motif to life with these simple paper holly leaves and berries, perfect for decorating gifts or a table setting.
How to: Cut out green holly leaves from paper. Cut out small red circles for berries. Use them to decorate gifts, cards, or to create a festive table scatter.
14. Paper Candy Cane Ornaments
These simple twisted paper candy canes are a fun and easy ornament to make for your tree.
How to: Cut long strips of red and white paper. Twist them together to form a candy cane shape. Secure with glue or a staple.
15. Paper Reindeer Silhouettes
These charming reindeer silhouettes are a simple yet beautiful decoration you can hang on your tree or use as table place cards.
How to: Find a simple reindeer silhouette image online and use it as a template to cut out reindeer shapes from brown paper. Punch a hole at the top and string them up to hang.
16. Paper Poinsettia Flowers
Create stunning, long-lasting poinsettias that will never wilt with this paper craft.
How to: Cut out a few different sizes of red paper petals and a few green leaves. Layer the petals from largest to smallest, with the green leaves at the bottom. Glue them in the center, and add a yellow circle for the middle.
17. Paper Snowman Crafts
Build a snowman that won’t melt! These paper snowmen are a fun activity for kids and look great on cards or walls.
How to: Cut out three different-sized white paper circles. Arrange them vertically and glue them together to form a snowman body. Add paper buttons, eyes, and a carrot nose. You can even add a paper hat and scarf!
18. Paper Christmas Countdown Calendar
Count down the days until Christmas with this fun, handmade Advent calendar that you can fill with your own special surprises.
How to: Make 25 small paper envelopes or pockets. Write the numbers 1-25 on each one. You can either hang them on a string or glue them onto a large piece of cardstock. Fill them with small treats or notes.
19. Paper Tree Centerpiece
This tiered paper tree makes for a charming and simple centerpiece for your holiday table.
How to: Cut out several paper circles of various sizes. Fold them in half, and then in half again. Secure them to a wooden dowel or a stick in a pot, stacking them from largest to smallest to form a tree shape.
20. Paper Gingerbread House Decor
These flat paper gingerbread houses are perfect for decorating windows or walls without the mess of real icing!
How to: Cut out gingerbread house shapes from brown paper. Use white paper to cut out shapes for “icing” and other decorations like candy swirls and windows. Glue them onto the brown house shape.
21. Paper Christmas Village Houses
Create a magical, glowing Christmas village with these small paper houses. They are perfect for a windowsill or a tabletop display.
How to: Find a template for a simple paper house online. Cut out the shape, fold it into a house, and glue the tabs together. Cut out small windows and doors before assembling. Place an LED tea light inside to make it glow.
22. Origami Paper Christmas Trees
If you love origami, these little folded trees are a perfect way to bring your hobby into your holiday decorating.
How to: Use green origami paper and a simple origami tree folding pattern. These are great for adding to a holiday card or as a small table decoration.
23. Paper Santa Faces
Bring a smile to everyone’s face with these adorable paper Santa faces, perfect for a garland or a festive banner.
How to: Cut out a large circle from beige paper for the face, a red hat, a white brim, and a large white fluffy beard. Glue the pieces together to create a charming Santa face.
24. Paper Bell Ornaments
Make a joyful noise with these simple, elegant bell ornaments, perfect for hanging on your tree.
How to: Cut out a bell shape from gold or silver paper. Use a marker to add details or glitter for extra sparkle. Hang with a small loop of ribbon.
25. Paper Mistletoe Sprigs
Hang these charming mistletoe sprigs in a doorway for a little holiday fun.
How to: Cut out two or three green leaf shapes. Glue them together at the stem, and then glue on a few small white paper circles for the berries. Hang them in a doorway and get ready to pucker up!
26. Paper Nativity Scene
Create a beautiful and meaningful decoration with this simple paper nativity scene, perfect for a mantel.
How to: Use black or white cardstock to cut out the silhouettes of the nativity scene figures. Arrange them on a windowsill or a mantle for a simple, elegant display.
27. Paper Holiday Banner
Spell out your holiday cheer with this festive paper banner you can hang on a wall or over a doorway.
How to: Cut out letters for a festive phrase like “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” from colorful paper. Punch a hole in each letter and string them onto a ribbon or twine to create a banner.
28. Paper Fireplace Garland
Adorn your fireplace with this rustic paper garland made from festive shapes like stars and trees.
How to: Cut out paper shapes like stars, trees, or reindeer. String them together on twine to create a lovely garland to hang over your fireplace.
29. Paper Candle Holders
These glowing candle holders are a beautiful way to create ambiance for a holiday dinner.
How to: Take a glass jar and a piece of paper that fits around it. Cut out some stars, snowflakes, or other shapes from the paper. Secure the paper around the jar with glue or tape. Place an LED candle inside.
30. Paper Sled Decorations
Add a touch of playful charm to your tree or table with these tiny paper sleds.
How to: Cut out a sled shape from brown paper and add details with a black marker. You can also add tiny paper presents on top. Add a loop of string to hang it as an ornament, or use it as a decoration on a tabletop.
See? Creating stunning decorations doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Paper is a versatile, cheap, and totally magical medium for Christmas crafting. I hope these ideas inspire you to get creative this holiday season!
If you enjoyed these ideas, please share them with your friends and family. Pin this post to your holiday inspiration board on Pinterest, and let me know in the comments which of these you’re most excited to try! Happy crafting!
