Christmas and the build-up to it, is all about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere, and one of the easiest ways to add some festive flair to your Christmas dinner is by dressing up your table. A quick and effective way to do this is by folding your napkins into the shape of a Christmas tree!

This simple napkin fold looks impressive on your tablescape, bringing an extra touch of Christmas magic to your table without much effort. Here’s how you can achieve this fun festive napkin fold:

Materials Needed:

• Square napkin—we are using our cotton napkins (available for hire here)

• Flat surface to fold the napkin (like a table or worktop)

• Optional: a name tag for your guest!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start with a Square Napkin: Lay your napkin flat on a clean surface. If you’re using a cloth napkin, make sure it’s ironed and wrinkle-free for the best results. (Our napkins come laundered and pressed!) A square napkin works best, but if you’re using a rectangular napkin, you can still fold it into a square by folding one corner over.

2. Fold the napkin in half and then in half again, so you are left with a smaller square. With 4 folds of fabric in, see the photo for reference.

3. Turn it so it a diamond shape on the worktop. The napkin will be a diamond shape now and have effectively four layers.

4. Take the top layer of napkin and fold up towards the top diamond point.

5. Next take the next layer and fold up.

6.  Repeat for the next two layers (see the photos).

7. You should have four folds up, plus the original base layer.

8. Carefully turn over your napkin.

9. On the back, at the bottom of the napkin, find the centre.

10. Fold the right side of the napkin in, taking the corner to the top of the diamond. Not going past the centre point, see the photo for reference. Take this corner to the top of the diamond.

11. Repeat on the other side. You should now have a smaller diamond shape, with the folds still facing the worktop.

12. Carefully turn over the napkin, keeping everything in place!

13. Now you should have a diamond shape with all the edges of the napkin facing you.

14. Take the top edge, and fold it up into itself, then repeat for the rest of the edges. See the photos for reference.

15. When you get to the bottom edge, make this one the straightest, as it the base of the tree.

16. Then you are finished!!

17. Well almost…Final Touch (Optional): For an extra touch of holiday spirit, you can add a tiny decoration like a star on top, a name tag next to the tree. We have lots of ideas over on our Instagram account.

Tips for the Perfect Napkin Tree:

• Choose a festive napkin colour:

  Green napkins are an obvious choice for the tree shape, but red, gold, or even silver can make the napkin stand out on your table.

• Use cloth napkins for a more elegant look. Paper napkins can work, but cloth napkins give the fold more structure and a luxurious feel.

• Practice before the big day: Try folding a few napkins ahead of time so you get comfortable with the technique. It’s a quick process, but practice makes perfect…!

Why It’s a Great Choice for Your Christmas Table:

The folded Christmas tree napkin is an easy yet stunning way to bring some seasonal cheer to your dining experience. It requires little preparation but makes a big impact on your table’s aesthetic. Whether you’re hosting a casual Christmas dinner or a more formal festive gathering, this fold adds just the right amount of festivity to your place settings. Pair it with other Christmas-themed décor, such as a table runner with a fir tree foliage arrangement with baubles dotted along it, and varying heights of candles, and you’ll have a dining table that feels extra special.

With just a few folds, you can turn a simple napkin into a gorgeous piece of Christmas tablescape décor. It’s an easy, fun way to get into the Christmas spirit and impress your guests with your creativity. Happy folding, and Merry Christmas! Plus, don’t forget to tag us on social media with your finished Christmas tree!!

We also want to say a big shout out to our lovely friend Hannah at Jolly Festive who we made a step by step video with (over on Instagram) and who created the cream Christmas tree and tablescape with!! We loved working with her & creating all things Christmas!!