Folded paper spheres look more complicated than they are. Once you have made one, the steps become a calm, repeatable rhythm, which makes them lovely for an evening of holiday making.
Pick paper that folds cleanly
Light to medium-weight paper creases crisply without cracking. Patterned paper is pretty; old book pages, sheet music, or maps can make a meaningful version for someone special.
Cut eight matching circles
Trace a circle about three inches across. Accuracy matters more than speed here, because matching circles make a rounder ornament. Cut them out and fold each exactly in half with the pattern facing in.
Glue the halves into a stack
Glue the outer half of one folded circle to the outer half of the next, and repeat until you have an accordion-like stack. Press each one for a moment so it holds.
Add the ribbon before you close it
Lay a folded ribbon loop along the center spine and glue it in place. Then bring the first and last halves together, glue them, and gently fan the sections into a sphere.
Give it time to dry
Let the adhesive dry fully before hanging. If it is a gift, write the year on a small tag and tie it to the ribbon. A handmade ornament with a date becomes part of a family’s story.
Fold a little Christmas keepsake
Let’s make it ↗The related projects are starter guides and have not yet been maker-tested.
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