How to make an origami Christmas tree
Three tiers of branches. Draw on the baubles! Here's an easy origami Christmas tree with three tiers of branches, step by step: a diagram for every fold below, and every step playing in 3D in Crease, so you can watch the paper move and turn it round.
You need: a square of paper (15 cm or 6 in is ideal). Coloured on one side is best, but any paper works.
Free in your browser. Watch each fold, slow it down, turn it round.
Step by step
The dashed line is a valley fold (fold towards you); dash-dot is a mountain fold (fold behind). The arrow shows where the paper goes.
Fold the paper in half side to side and open it again, to make a centre line.
Fold the two top edges in to lie along the centre line. It makes a tall kite.
Fold the short point at the bottom up behind, so the tree has a flat bottom.
Fold the top down along a line a little above the bottom, then fold it back up a little lower, so a pleat goes right across. The sides step in: that’s the first branches.
Make another pleat higher up, the same way: down, then back up.
And one more near the top. Your tree is finished! Draw a star on the top, baubles and tinsel, and hang it up.
Done! Well folded.
Tips
- Line up the corners or edges first, then press the crease flat from the middle outwards.
- Run a fingernail along every crease: sharp creases make the later steps easier.
- Stuck on a step? Open Christmas tree in Crease and watch it fold in 3D, as slowly as you like.
More easy origami
Origami for beginners: the folds, the bases and where to start →