Transform Your Holiday Decor With These Easy Paper Stars

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I have heard that the Christmas season in Germany is simply magical. While I have not experienced it just yet, I have begun to see the beginning signs of holiday celebrations pop up around local cities. Christkindlmarkt stalls are being set up, wooden Christmas pyramids are gracing the square and garland is being hung all around. Despite the markets not being open for a few more weeks, the stores have begun bringing out Christmas in full force, including the most beautiful paper stars. Big stars, little stars, white stars and colorful stars / snowflakes hang in shops and twinkle in windows. After picking up a few to hang in our own home, I was inspired to branch out and try to make a whole collection of paper stars that can hang in and around our apartment. So, if you are looking for a super easy and beautiful way to transform your holiday décor this year without fear of going over budget or fresh items spoiling, these next two DIY methods for easy paper stars / snowflakes are for you. 

Paper Snowflakes

The first of the two methods that I want to showcase is that of easy paper stars / snowflakes using paper bags. While I certainly am not the first to create this DIY, I chose to mix it up by using white paper sandwich bags that are slightly smaller and lighter rather than the traditional large brown paper lunch bags. Whichever material you choose though, these make for adorable stars and are great to make with friends, kids or even with a Hallmark movie or Christmas music on in the background. 

Supplies

• String – clear craft line/ fishing line or string of your choosing
• White paper sandwich / snack bags
• Glue – hot glue or Elmer’s glue
• Scissors
• Command hooks 
• Tape – optional
• Paper cutter – optional

Directions

Step 1: To begin, count out 6 to 9 paper bags and place them in a stack. These will be used to make your first snowflake!  Begin by cutting (with your paper cutter or scissors) the open end of each paper bag to create an even surface all the way across the bag. This allows you to cut off the tiny fold at the top to ensure the bags are the same size throughout. 

Step 2: Once all of your bags have their tops level, lay the first bag flat on the table. Run a bead of glue down the center of the bag and then again at the bottom. The glue marks should form an upside down capital “T” shape. Place your second bag on top of the first bag and press down to glue together. Repeat with the remaining bags. 

Step 3: Next, after all your bags are glued together in a stack, open the bags up slightly to ensure that a proper fan can be made. Place them back together before drawing your template design on the outside of your paper bag stack. 

Step 4: Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the design from the stack of your paper bags. For the bags to fan out properly, be sure to leave connection points on both the internal and external edges. 

Step 5: Fan out your snowflake and glue the remaining two sides together to ensure it stays in a snowflake shape. You can add your string between these last two sides, or you can glue, tape or tie the string to your snowflake in another spot. Attach your Command hooks to the ceiling or wall and hang your snowflake. Then, step back and admire your creation! 

Paper Stars

While the paper snowflakes highlight the designs cut from the white space, these next paper stars highlight the papers used and strong star form. You can make these beauties with plain white paper, but I think it is great fun to use colorful wrapping paper or decorative papers to add a fun twist. This is a perfect way to use up your wrapping paper scraps or accentuate a paper pattern that blends with your décor. 

Supplies

• Paper – design / style of your choice!
• Glue – hot glue or Elmer’s glue
• Tape 
• String – clear craft line/ fishing line or string of your choosing
• Scissors
• Command hooks 

Directions

Step 1: To begin, start by cutting 5 to 9 squares of paper. The square size will determine your final star shape, so if you would like a small star, opt for 3” – 4” square while a medium or large star would require 5” – 10” squares. 

Step 2: Once your squares are ready, fold your square in half diagonally.

Step 3: Next, fold the two wings in to meet the center line. Your square should now look more like a kite shape.

Step 4: Now, fold the top of your kite over the base to form a triangle. 

Step 5: To form a kite shape again, fold the top two corners of your triangle in to meet your center line. Glue these two wings to the triangle flap folded in the step above before popping out this center section. Your shape should now be three dimensional. Congrats – you have made your first star point!

Step 6: Repeat steps 2 through 5 until you have 5 to 9 star points made. Once a few of your points are made, glue and tape the popped out sections together. To keep them together while they dry, it may be helpful to place something heavy on top of them. 

Step 7: Continue gluing and taping each section together until all your points have been added. From the back, your star points will look hollow, while from the front they will look very dimensional. 

Step 8: Glue and/or tape your string into the back of the star and hang on your Command hook. Viola, your star is finished! 

Final Thoughts

Whether you are making just one or a grouping of 15, these paper stars can make such a fun impact in your Christmas décor! I mixed and matched my paper stars with some I picked up around town for a festive collected look that varied in designs and materials from light and bright paper bags to toile Christmas wrapping paper to bright floral prints. Despite this being my first time making these paper stars, I have been so pleasantly surprised by the way that they have turned out and I found they were quite easy to create after a couple of trial runs! So, do you like incorporating easy paper stars and snowflakes into your Christmas décor? And if so, do you use these techniques or a variety of other methods? I would love to know in the comment section below and be sure to save this post for your holiday DIY creations this season! 

Happy decorating!

Chloe

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