Every year I have grand plans to create all kinds of amazing Christmas crafts with my children. Generally, I get derailed by all of the fancy supplies needed to complete the projects! Usually, everything is too expensive or the craft is too time-intensive. So, when my son picked out the book, Making Origami Christmas Decorations Step by Step
So, would you like to know how to make a Christmas stocking? My boys and I are making one stocking for each person that will be attending our Christmas get-together…..about twenty-five in all. Since each stocking only takes about 5 minutes to make, (less once you get the hang of it), this was a reasonable craft to mass produce. We are using stickers to put our guests’ names on each stocking. We will fill the stocking with a candy cane and chocolate. The stocking will be used as name cards at the tables. Our guests will find their names and have a seat….and sample Hershey’s Kisses while they visit.
Here we go……
You will need 12×12 paper, tape, and scissors (or a paper cutter if you are a former scrap-a-holic.) You need one piece of paper for each stocking. Optional: letter stickers for the names, a hole punch and ribbon to make it into an ornament, and candy or trinkets to place inside the stocking). Choose paper that is lightweight (not cardstock). Also, choose paper that is white on one side and colored on the other side.
Optional: Cut off two inches on each side. The book says that you should start with a 10×10 square, but we have kept it 12×12 as well. It still works fine, but the stocking will be a little bigger.
Place your paper on the table, white side down and colored side up. Fold up the bottom edge (about 2 inches.)
Flip your paper over so that the white side is up.
Rotate your paper so that the folded edge is now on the top, but still underneath.
Fold it in half.
Unfold.
Fold in the two bottom corners to make a point.
From the left side, fold the paper into the middle crease. (You will be folding the paper over three times. This is the first fold.)
Fold it again. (the middle edge to the the middle of the right side. This is the second fold.)
Fold it a third time. Are you starting to see the stocking?
Fold up the bottom point so it touches the white paper. Crease it at the bottom.
Fold down the top half of the point to make the foot.
You are done! But, we like to tape down all of the folds to make it sleek.
Our finished product!
We filled our stockings with treats for our guests.
We used letter stickers to put names on each stocking.
While our stocking will be placed on our tables as name cards, I wanted everyone to have the option to hang them on the tree when they get home. So, we punched holes in the top and strung ribbon through the top.
When our guests leave, they can place it on their tree at home!
Our Other Origami Creations
The book had lots of ideas for various Christmas decorations. Here are some of our other projects:
We made a Christmas star. It is about 1/4 the size of my Christmas tree…..gone are the days of a well-manicured Christmas tree!
We made origami Christmas trees. We are going to line the backdrop of the food table with a row of these Christmas trees.
My son made an origami candle flame. He was afraid people wouldn’t know what it was, so he labeled it! 
And….an origami wreath for my front door…..they took down my beautiful berry wreath and replaced it with this lovely creation. I had two inner voices screaming at me. One pleaded, “Really! Please give me my berry wreath back!” The other voice assured me, “Martha Stewart isn’t going to be here! It’s fine! Don’t wreck their self-esteem because of your people-pleasing nature!” The reasonable me won…this is my front door.
Are you creating with your kids? Please share your craft and recipe ideas in the comments!
