Christmas is the perfect excuse to get crafty, and nothing beats the joy of hanging decorations you’ve made yourself. This year, we’re doubling the fun with two easy DIY paper projects: cheerful paper bell ornaments that jingle with charm, and playful paper fan rosettes that add a burst of festive flair. Both are simple, budget-friendly, and a wonderful way to spend a cosy afternoon with family or friends.
Scroll down for all the materials you need and the step-by-step instructions to make your Christmas sparkle with handmade decorations!
DIY Paper Bell Ornaments
Made by Bethany Edwards
What you need:
- 4 sheets of lightweight paper (scrapbook paper, thin card, or origami paper) — more sheets for a fuller bell
- Glue (glue tape or a glue stick)
- Scissors
- Bell charm (small jingle bell) and a length of twine or thin ribbon
- Card for a bell stencil (scrap card or thin cardboard)
- Pencil
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Fold the paper. Fold each of the 4 sheets in half neatly so you have 4 folded “booklets.” Keep the creases sharp; the folded edge will become the bell’s centre spine.
2. Glue the folded sheets together. Stack the folded sheets with their folded spines aligned. Apply glue to the outside of each folded half-page (the blank side), and glue each folded sheet onto the last so all 4 are attached in a stack. Make sure all folded spines stay on the same side. Let the glue set briefly so the sheets don’t slip.
3. Prepare the bell stencil. Draw or cut a bell-shape from scrap card to make a stencil. When you place the stencil on the stacked, folded pages, line it up so the folded spine runs down the middle of the bell (the stencil should only trace half of the bell across the folds). You’ll be tracing half a bell onto the folded edge so that when the stack is opened it becomes a full bell.
4. Trace the bell outline. With the stacked and glued papers closed, place the stencil so its straight centre line sits on the folded spines. Trace around half the bell shape onto the top sheet.
5. Cut out the bell. Keeping the stack folded, cut along your traced line through all layers. When you open the pages they will form a layered bell shape.
6. Prepare the hanging twine and jingle bell. Cut a length of twine long enough to form a hanging loop plus extra to secure inside the bell. Thread the jingle bell onto the twine and slide it to the midpoint of the twine — the bell will hang at the bottom when finished.
7. Glue the twine inside the bell. Open the cut bell so the blank (un-glued) inner faces are upwards. Position the twine down the centre of the bell with the jingle bell sitting at the bottom point of the paper bell. Apply a thin line of glue on the middle fold (or the inside blank panel) and press the twine into the glue so it sticks. Make sure the two free ends of the twine run upward toward the top of the bell, these will form the hanging loop.
8. Seal the bell shape. Apply glue to one inside half of the bell and fold the other half over it, pressing the glued faces together so the twine is trapped securely inside and the bell shape is closed.
9. Trim and tidy. Once the glue is dry enough to hold, trim any uneven edges so the bell looks neat. Make a loop with the two twine ends above the bell and tie them together to form a hanger — trim the excess.
10. Final touches (optional):
- Add glitter, sequins, or a small bow at the top.
- Use more folded sheets for a thicker, fuller bell.
- Make several in varying sizes and paper patterns to create a garland.
DIY Paper Fan Rosettes
Made by Bethany Edwards
What you need:
- 3 sheets of paper (coloured, patterned, or plain)
- Glue (PVA or glue stick)
- Scissors
- Hole punch or sharp pencil
- String or twine for hanging
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Zig-zag fold each sheet. Take your first sheet of paper and fold it in a zig-zag (accordion) style: fold a strip one way, flip the paper, and fold the next strip back the other way. Repeat until the whole sheet is folded. Do the same with the other two sheets.
2. Fold the zig-zag paper in half. Once each sheet is fully accordion-folded, fold the entire folded strip in half so the two ends meet. Crease sharply, this creates the fan’s “spoke.”
3. Glue each folded piece. Apply glue to the inside edges of each folded piece and press the halves together so each one becomes a semi-fan shape. You should now have three separate semi-fans.
4. Join the three fan pieces. Glue the straight side of one semi-fan to the straight side of the next. Continue until all three are glued together, forming a complete circular fan. Hold or clip the edges until the glue sets so the circle stays tight.
5. Punch a hanging hole. Using a hole punch (or carefully using a sharp pencil), make a small hole near the outer edge of one of the fan folds.
6. Add the string. Thread string or twine through the hole and tie securely. This becomes the hanging loop.
7. Final touches (optional):
- Add a paper circle to the centre for a polished look.
- Trim the ends of the accordion folds before gluing to create scalloped or pointed edges.
- Layer smaller fans on top for a dimensional effect.
From Paper to Handmade Joy
And there you have it — two delightful handmade paper decorations that will make your Christmas sparkle with personality. Whether it’s the gentle jingle of your paper bells or the festive burst of your fan rosettes, each homemade piece carries the joy of crafting and the warmth of the season.
Hang them on your tree, scatter them across the mantel, or gift them to loved ones — because nothing says Christmas quite like decorations made with love.
