When it comes to the holidays, who doesn’t love sitting down to an impressive Christmas dinner? Whether you slice into a turkey, ham or prime rib (my favorite), Christmas dinner is a special occasion. So why not make your place settings feel a little extra special, too?
With the right napkin fold, you can make each plate feel extra celebratory and a little extra fancy to boot. For the holidays, I like to bypass my traditional fan fold for something more festive: a Christmas tree! This fold is super simple (really!) and it makes a great addition to any tablescape. Let’s break this down step by step.
Step 1
The start of any good napkin fold is a clean, pressed napkin (a little spray starch or sizing helps this napkin origami hold its shape too). For this Christmas fold, start by folding your square napkin in half and then in half again, so you have a square a quarter of the original size.
Step 2
Position your napkin in front of you so all the loose edges are facing toward you. Then take that first flap and bring it up to the top of your diamond.
Step 3
Repeat this with the other layers, staggering slightly.
Step 4
Then flip your napkin over so the folds are against your work surface. The point of the (former) diamond should be facing away from you.
Step 5
Then fold your sides inward toward the middle. At the center top, a point should form (this is the tip of your tree).
Step 6
Turn your napkin back over. You can tell it’s starting to get its tree shape!
Step 7
Now, take those flaps and turn them under. This will help form the layers of the tree.
Continue all the way to the bottom, turning every flap under so you have a tree with that classic triangular shape.
Just pop one of these adorable origami-esque trees on top of each place setting and you have an instantly merry tablescape.
