DIY Project: Origami Star Advent Calendar
Create your own origami decor to help you with the countdown to Christmas
Make it easy for your young ones to see how many sleeps are left ’til Christmas and create a merry buzz for the big day with this beautiful origami star advent calendar.
What you’ll need:
- 25 origami star templates printed on 200gsm paper (colour optional)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- 900 millimetre x 6 millimetre-thick wooden rod
- A 2-metre length of twine
- Cup hook to hang
- 9 x 1.5-metre lengths of twine
- 25 mini pegs
- Plastic number stencil set
- Acrylic paint
- Small toys, lollies or jokes
Step 1: Print and cut
Download and print out 25 origami star templates. Use thicker paper, I suggest 200gsm Quill board, which will be worth the small investment as the stars will keep their shape better than with basic printer paper. Choose any colour you want your stars to be; get creative here! Then, using sharp scissors, cut them out along the trim line.
Download and print out 25 origami star templates. Use thicker paper, I suggest 200gsm Quill board, which will be worth the small investment as the stars will keep their shape better than with basic printer paper. Choose any colour you want your stars to be; get creative here! Then, using sharp scissors, cut them out along the trim line.
Step 2: Fold outer tabs
Fold the outer tabs inward, pressing down hard to make a crisp edge. Running a spoon or another blunt object along the fold can help with keeping them clean and sharply folded.
Fold the outer tabs inward, pressing down hard to make a crisp edge. Running a spoon or another blunt object along the fold can help with keeping them clean and sharply folded.
Step 3: Fold dotted lines
Now fold along every dotted/dashed line on the template, folding inward so that the lines won’t be visible when you finish.
Now fold along every dotted/dashed line on the template, folding inward so that the lines won’t be visible when you finish.
Step 4: Pinch the solid lines inward
Using your pointer finger and thumb, pinch the solid lines into the design.
Using your pointer finger and thumb, pinch the solid lines into the design.
The shape of the star will begin to form without much effort.
Step 5: Glue the tabs
Using a glue stick, apply a generous amount to the white side of the outer tabs.
Using a glue stick, apply a generous amount to the white side of the outer tabs.
Step 6: Press until adhered
Press the glued tabs together firmly. It’s important to wait ’til each side is fully adhered before moving to the next tab. If you rush it, the sides will keep opening up as you glue the next tab.
Press the glued tabs together firmly. It’s important to wait ’til each side is fully adhered before moving to the next tab. If you rush it, the sides will keep opening up as you glue the next tab.
Glue all tabs down, leaving only the tab with the small semi-circle unglued. This is the side that you use to open the star and fill with toys or chocolate.
Repeat steps 1 to 5 until you have made all 25 origami stars.
Step 6: Set up the hanging rod
Get your rod and the 1-metre-long piece of twine. Tie each end of the twine to either side of the wooden rod using a double knot. If necessary, use a notch cut into the stick or glue to secure in place.
Get your rod and the 1-metre-long piece of twine. Tie each end of the twine to either side of the wooden rod using a double knot. If necessary, use a notch cut into the stick or glue to secure in place.
Hang this up from a cup hook, to make easy work of the next step.
Step 7: Tie the twine rows
Tie nine pieces of 1.5-metre sections of twine and evenly space them along the rod.
Tie nine pieces of 1.5-metre sections of twine and evenly space them along the rod.
Step 8: Peg on the stars
From trial and error I found the easiest way to hang these stars was to attach the peg to the line first. Make sure to really push the string up high into the peg spring, otherwise the peg slides down (and off) the twine.
From trial and error I found the easiest way to hang these stars was to attach the peg to the line first. Make sure to really push the string up high into the peg spring, otherwise the peg slides down (and off) the twine.
Peg all 25 stars onto the twine rows to make a Christmas tree shape. Trim back each length of twine so that it ends just under the last peg.
Step 9: Number the stars
Line up the stencil to sit in the centre of the star.
Line up the stencil to sit in the centre of the star.
Apply paint sparingly making sure not to move the stencil. Continue until you have numbered all the stars. Clean the stencil and your hands after each application to avoid paint marks. I found baby wipes very handy here.
Step 10: Fill with treasures
Fill each star with chocolate, small toys, jokes, and fun Christmas facts.
Fill each star with chocolate, small toys, jokes, and fun Christmas facts.
Make sure you show off your creation on social media and tag @houzzau and @havven.
TELL US
Do you like to put up an advent calendar at Christmas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Browse more fun DIY projects
Do you like to put up an advent calendar at Christmas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse more fun DIY projects