Christmas Napkin Folding: 13 Elegant Folds That Make a Cheap Table Look Like a Fancy Restaurant

Christmas napkin folding is the cheapest way to make your holiday table look like a fancy restaurant. Think about it. You already own the plates, the glasses and a stack of cloth napkins, so why not let those napkins do the showing off? A simple lotus napkin fold video on YouTube has passed 5.8 million views in just two months, which tells you how many people want this look. With a few folds, a sprig of greenery and maybe a ribbon, a plain table turns into something guests will photograph before they sit down. Below are thirteen elegant folds, from a sweet napkin tree to a tall hotel style crown. Shall we set the table together..

Christmas Napkin Folding Tree on the Plate

This is the fold everyone wants to learn first, and for good reason. A green cloth napkin becomes a little layered tree that stands right on the dinner plate. Fold the napkin into quarters, then fold each loose layer up in steps so you get a stack of points. Flip it, fold the sides in to make a triangle, and tuck each layer up into the one above. It sounds tricky, but after the second one your hands remember. Top each tree with a mini star ornament or a gold sticker. Add a tiny sprig of rosemary at the base and it looks like a tree in the snow. Guests always smile when they see it, and many will ask you to show them how..

You will need: Square green cloth napkins, a mini gold star ornament or gold star sticker, small rosemary sprigs, an iron.

How to make it: 1. Fold the napkin in quarters with the open corners at the top. 2. Fold each of the four layers up, leaving a small gap between them. 3. Flip it over and fold the sides in to make a triangle. 4. Flip back, tuck each layer up into the one above it, and add the star.

Lotus Flower Fold

The lotus fold is the one that went viral online, and it is easier than it looks. A square napkin is folded into a smaller square several times, then the corners are pulled up from underneath so they open like petals. The result looks like a flower blooming right in the middle of the plate. Do it in white for a soft, snowy feel, or in red for a bold holiday look. Want a little surprise? Tuck a small ornament, a chocolate or a name card into the center. Starched napkins hold the shape best, so give them a quick spray before you fold. It is the Christmas napkin folding trick that makes guests think you hired a caterer.

You will need: Square linen napkins, spray starch, an iron, a small ornament or wrapped chocolate for the center.

How to make it: 1. Fold all four corners into the center, then repeat once more. 2. Flip it over and fold the corners to the center again. 3. Hold the center and pull each corner from underneath up and out. 4. Pull the second set of petals out between the first.

Five Point Star Fold

A star on every plate feels like a small gift for each guest. This fold works best with a thin red or gold napkin, since thicker fabric can get bulky at the points. Start with a triangle, roll and fold the sections into points, and shape them gently with your fingers so all five are even. It takes a little practice, so fold a test napkin the night before. Set each star on a gold charger and the whole table glows. If you are short on time, make stars only for the kids’ table or the head of the table. Isn’t it lovely when something so simple feels so special at the same time?

You will need: Thin red or gold cloth napkins, an iron, spray starch, gold charger plates if you have them.

How to make it: 1. Starch and iron the napkin flat. 2. Fold it into a long strip and pleat it into five equal sections. 3. Bring the ends together and pinch the center. 4. Spread and shape the five points gently.

Silverware Pocket Christmas Napkin Folding

This pocket fold is as practical as it is pretty. It holds the fork and knife neatly, which frees up space on a crowded holiday table, and it has room for a name card too. That makes it one of the most useful styles of Christmas napkin folding for big family dinners. Fold the napkin in quarters, roll the top layer down to make a band, then fold the sides behind to form a slim pocket. Slide in your flatware and a little kraft tag with each guest’s name. A sprig of pine adds the finishing touch. It is fast, it looks tidy, and it keeps little hands from losing their forks under the table.

You will need: Cloth napkins, flatware, small kraft paper tags, red twine, a pen, pine sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Fold the napkin in quarters with the open corners at the top right. 2. Roll the top layer diagonally down to the center. 3. Flip it and fold both sides behind to make a narrow pocket. 4. Slide in the flatware, the tag and a pine sprig.

Bow Tie Fold With Velvet Ribbon

For an old money table, try a napkin bow. Lay the napkin flat, fold it accordion style into a long strip, then pinch the center and tie it with a short piece of velvet ribbon. Fan out the two sides so it looks like a big, soft bow. Deep green velvet on white linen looks classic, while burgundy on cream feels warm and rich. This one takes about thirty seconds per napkin, so it is perfect when you are hosting a crowd. Pair it with magnolia leaves or a pine garland down the center of the table. Simple, quick and very elegant. Which ribbon color would match your dishes best?

You will need: Linen or cotton napkins, velvet ribbon cut in 12 inch pieces, scissors, an iron.

How to make it: 1. Iron the napkin flat. 2. Fold it accordion style into a 2 inch wide strip. 3. Pinch the center and tie a velvet ribbon around it. 4. Fan out both ends into a bow shape.

Rosemary Wreath Christmas Napkin Folding

Here is a fold that smells as good as it looks. Roll your napkin into a neat tube, then slip it through a tiny wreath made from fresh rosemary. Bend a few sprigs into a circle and wrap them with thin floral wire. That is all it takes. Rosemary stays green for days, and when guests pick up their napkins the whole table smells like a Christmas kitchen. This style of Christmas napkin folding is perfect for a rustic or farmhouse table. Add two red berries for color and you are done. Bonus tip: make a few extra wreaths and hang them on cabinet knobs for a festive touch around the house.

You will need: Linen napkins, fresh rosemary sprigs, thin floral wire, small red berry picks, wire cutters.

How to make it: 1. Bend two or three rosemary sprigs into a 2 inch circle. 2. Wrap them with floral wire to hold the shape. 3. Tuck in a couple of berries. 4. Roll the napkin and slide it through the wreath.

Candy Cane Twist Fold

This playful fold brings a smile to grown ups and kids alike. Lay one red and one white napkin on top of each other, slightly offset, and roll them together diagonally into a long tube. Then twist the tube so the colors spiral like a candy cane. Bend the top into a hook and set it across the plate. Paper napkins work in a pinch, but cloth gives a fuller, rounder shape. It pairs perfectly with a red and white table, peppermint candies in a bowl and a few striped ornaments. Want a grown up version? Use burgundy and cream instead. It is cheerful, quick and impossible not to love.

You will need: One red and one white cloth napkin per guest, a few peppermint candies for decoration.

How to make it: 1. Lay the red napkin on the white one, slightly offset. 2. Roll them together tightly from one corner. 3. Twist the roll so the stripes spiral. 4. Bend the top into a hook and place it on the plate.

Santa Belt Napkin Fold

Want a fun grown up touch that is still elegant? Dress each napkin like Santa. Fold a red napkin into a neat rectangle, wrap a strip of black ribbon around the middle, and add a little gold buckle cut from gold card stock or a gold sticker. It instantly looks like Santa’s jolly belt. This one gets laughs at every family dinner, and it is so cheap to make. A roll of black ribbon and a sheet of gold card will cover a table of twelve. It looks great on white plates with a few pine sprigs around. Just a little humor on the table helps everyone relax, doesn’t it?

You will need: Red cloth napkins, black grosgrain ribbon, gold card stock or gold stickers, scissors, double sided tape.

How to make it: 1. Fold the napkin into a neat rectangle. 2. Wrap black ribbon around the middle and tape it on the back. 3. Cut a small square buckle from gold card. 4. Tape the buckle to the front of the belt.

Bishop’s Hat Christmas Napkin Folding

Have you seen those tall standing napkins at fancy hotels? That is the bishop’s hat, and it is a showstopper. Of all the Christmas napkin folding styles here, this one has the most height, so it makes the table look grand and formal. It needs a stiff napkin, so spray it with starch and iron it well before you start. Fold it into a triangle, then a series of folds and tucks turns it into a crown that stands on its own. Burgundy or deep green looks especially rich at Christmas. Set one on every gold charger and the table instantly looks like a holiday banquet. Practice once and you will be hooked.

You will need: Stiff linen napkins in burgundy or deep green, spray starch, an iron, gold chargers if you have them.

How to make it: 1. Starch and iron the napkin, then fold it into a triangle. 2. Fold the left and right corners up to the top point. 3. Fold the bottom up most of the way, then fold the tip back down. 4. Turn it over, curl the sides around and tuck one into the other so it stands.

Angel Wings Fan Fold

A white and gold table deserves something graceful, and this fan fold looks like a pair of angel wings. Pleat the napkin back and forth like a paper fan, then fold it in half and tie the bottom with a thin gold ribbon. Open the top so the pleats spread into two soft wings. It stands up nicely in a glass or right on the plate. This is a lovely choice for Christmas Eve, a church supper or a ladies’ holiday lunch. Starch helps the pleats stay crisp all evening. Add a tiny gold bell to the ribbon if you want a sweet little sound when guests lift it. It may be the prettiest Christmas napkin folding idea for a white table.

You will need: White linen napkins, spray starch, an iron, thin gold ribbon, mini gold bells if you like.

How to make it: 1. Starch and iron the napkin. 2. Pleat it back and forth in 1 inch folds. 3. Fold the pleated strip in half and tie the bottom with gold ribbon. 4. Spread the top pleats into two wings.

Dollar Store Napkin Ring Upgrade

Plain dollar store napkin rings are a blank canvas. Hot glue a tiny ornament, a cluster of jingle bells or a mini pinecone to each one and they look like something from a gift shop. Mix three different styles down the table for a collected look, or keep them all the same for a tidy formal feel. A pack of mini ornaments and a bag of bells will cover a whole set for a few dollars. Roll the napkins, slip on the rings, and you are done. This is a great project to do with a friend or grandchild a week before the big day. Will you go sparkly, rustic or a little of both?

You will need: Plain dollar store napkin rings, mini shatterproof ornaments, jingle bells, mini pinecones, a hot glue gun, cloth napkins.

How to make it: 1. Plan the accent for each ring. 2. Add a dot of hot glue to the ring and press the accent on. 3. Hold for a few seconds until it sets. 4. Roll the napkins and slide the rings on.

Pine Branch Pocket Christmas Napkin Folding

For a rustic farmhouse table, fill a simple pocket fold with nature. Tuck a fresh pine sprig and a cinnamon stick into each napkin and tie it with a bit of twine. The smell of pine and cinnamon is pure Christmas, and it costs almost nothing if you have an evergreen in the yard. This is one of the easiest ideas in our Christmas napkin folding list, so it is great for beginners. Natural linen or a soft oatmeal cotton looks best. Set them on wooden chargers or plain white plates with pinecones scattered down the table. Your guests can even take the cinnamon sticks home for their morning coffee.

You will need: Natural linen napkins, fresh pine sprigs, cinnamon sticks, natural twine, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Fold the napkin into a simple pocket as in the silverware fold. 2. Slide in a pine sprig and a cinnamon stick. 3. Tie twine around the middle. 4. Set it on the plate with the greenery peeking out.

Thanksgiving to Christmas Napkin Swap

Here is the money saving secret behind all these folds. Buy one set of neutral linen napkins in cream, oatmeal or white, and use them for both holidays. At Thanksgiving, add dried leaves, wheat or a small mini pumpkin. After the turkey, keep the same folds and switch the accents to pine, ornaments and red ribbon. Nothing new to buy, and your table still feels completely different. A good set of neutral napkins will last for years with a little care. Wash them in cool water, iron them while slightly damp, and store them flat. Smart Christmas napkin folding is really about planning ahead. Which of these thirteen folds will you try at your table this year?

You will need: A set of neutral linen napkins, fall accents such as dried leaves, Christmas accents such as pine, mini ornaments and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Pick one or two favorite folds. 2. Use fall accents for Thanksgiving. 3. After Thanksgiving, swap only the accents for pine, ornaments and ribbon. 4. Wash, iron and store flat after each holiday.