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Crafting Paper Stars: A Guide to Beautiful Christmas Decorations

Introduction

Looking for an easy and creative way to spruce up your Christmas decor? How about trying your hand at folding these stunning 5-pointed origami stars? Not only are they simple to make, but they also make for gorgeous Christmas decorations. Plus, you can utilize materials like magazines, scrapbook papers, or even sheet music that you have lying around. Let’s dive in and learn how to create these festive ornaments!

Materials for Making a 5-Pointed Origami Star

To get started, gather the following materials:

  • A square sheet of paper (a 12×12 scrapbooking paper works wonderfully)
  • Scissors (purists may object to this, but it’s the 21st century, after all!)

Keep in mind that the size of your finished star ornament will be approximately 60% of the size of your starting square. For instance, a 12″ square will result in a 7″ star. Feel free to adapt the size according to your preferences.

Creating the Pentagon

Begin by cutting a pentagon shape out of your square sheet of paper. There are two methods you can employ:

Option 1: Tracing a Pentagon Template

Download and trace a pentagon template that suits your desired size.

Option 2: Origami Trick for a Perfect Pentagon

If you prefer a quicker method that works for any paper size, follow these steps:

  1. Fold the square in half.
  2. Fold the bottom left corner to the top and unfold.
  3. Fold the top left corner to the bottom and unfold.
  4. Fold the bottom right corner to the center of the X-shaped crease.
  5. Fold the top layer in half.
  6. Fold up edge AB to align with edge AC.
  7. Flip the paper over and fold it in half along this line.
  8. Cut along the top layer’s edge.
  9. Unfold, and voila! You now have a perfect pentagon!

Folding the 5-Pointed Origami Star

Let’s move on to folding the star itself. Follow these steps:

  1. Start with your paper nice-side-down.
  2. Fold the pentagon in half through each of its points and then unfold to create creases.
  3. Fold up the bottom edge, aligning the corners with the creases you just made.
  4. Unfold and repeat the same fold for all the other sides of the pentagon.
  5. You should now have a new set of creases.
  6. Fold in the left edge along one of the creases and fold up the bottom edge while simultaneously pulling the pentagon’s corner out to the left. Flatten the fold.
  7. Unfold completely and rotate the pentagon 1/5th clockwise, aligning the next side at the bottom. Repeat the folds as shown in the image above. Perform the same sequence for all the remaining sides of the pentagon.
  8. Once finished, you’ll notice a new set of creases.
  9. Starting with the pentagon unfolded, pinch all the corners together and squash them toward the center. With a bit of “massaging,” the paper will collapse into a star shape.
  10. Flip the star over. Fold the right edge to the center line, and repeat this fold for all the other arms of the star, working clockwise.
  11. And there you have it! Your stunning origami star is complete!

Optional: Tidying up the Back

If you made your star using one-sided colored paper, you might notice a white hexagon in the middle on the back. If you prefer a fully colored star, reader Grace has a clever tip:

“I did a little extra step… use a pair of scissors to snip into the small hexagon and tuck the flaps back under the arms of the star.” – Grace

Now, the back of your star will match the rest of its vibrant colors.

Inspiration and Sharing

We’ve received amazing feedback and inspiring photos from our readers, showcasing their creativity with these origami stars. Check out the photo below, shared by Kerrie, who beautifully transformed her stars into a garland using K&Company scrapbook paper.

Stars Garland

And here’s another photo, courtesy of Vicki, featuring both the origami star from this page and the modular money origami star.

Origami Star Collection

Mel Hurst also shared her fantastic folding skills by creating tiny stars for Christmas cards and presents. See her delightful creations below.

Tiny Stars

Credit for this stellar design goes to origami artist Mrs. Toshie Takahama, as informed by Edward Holmes.

Conclusion

Now that you know the art of crafting these charming origami stars, it’s time to unleash your creativity. Whether adorning your mantelpiece, hanging them on your Christmas tree, or using them as captivating decorations throughout your home, these stars are sure to spread holiday cheer. Keep in mind that your imagination is the limit, so feel free to experiment with different patterns, colors, and sizes. Happy folding!

Looking for more Christmas gift ideas? Make your loved ones feel special with personalized likes posters. Print them at home easily and impress everyone with these fantastic creations. Visit our printable gifts shop for more inspiration.

If you’re interested in exploring other Christmas star crafts, check out our collection of homemade Christmas ornaments.

Happy folding!

Quill And Fox