There is something so charming about handmade Christmas decorations, especially when they have a little history behind them. These DIY paper stars are one of my favorite ways to turn something as simple as an old book page into beautiful, vintage-inspired Christmas decor.
Made with just a few basic supplies, these folded paper stars have a lovely old-world feel. They look beautiful hanging on a Christmas tree, tucked into a garland, tied onto a gift, or displayed in a bowl as part of your holiday decorating.
The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make!
If you have an old book, a little ribbon or twine, and some glue, you’re ready to get started.
Supplies You’ll Need
● Pages from an old book
● Scissors
● Twine, string, or embroidery thread
● Glue or double-sided tape
A little tip: Look for an old book with slightly aged pages if you want that vintage look. You can also experiment with sheet music, dictionary pages, or other printed paper.
How to Make DIY Paper Stars
Step 1: Fold Your Book Page
Start by removing a page from your old book. Fold the paper accordion-style, making small, even folds from one end of the page to the other.
Try to keep your folds relatively consistent so your star will open evenly.
Step 2: Trim the Ends
Once your page is folded, use your scissors to cut a triangle shape off each side of the folded paper.
This creates the pointed edges that will become the points of your star. You can experiment with the angle and depth of your cuts to create slightly different star shapes.
Step 3: Tie the Center
Find the middle of your folded paper and wrap a piece of twine or string around it. Tie it tightly enough to hold all of the folds together.
This little tie is what gives your paper star its shape!
Step 4: Open Your Star
Gently fan out the folded paper on both sides. You’ll start to see your star take shape.
Bring the two outside ends together to form a circle, connecting the edges with a little glue or double-sided tape.
Hold them together until they’re secure.
Step 5: Display Your Paper Stars!
And that’s it! You have a beautiful handmade paper star.
Add a little string if you’d like to hang them, or use them as ornaments, gift toppers, or part of a festive holiday display.
Ways to Decorate With Paper Stars
I love how versatile these little stars are. Here are a few ways to use them around your home:
● Christmas tree ornaments: Hang them throughout your tree for a collected, vintage look.
● Holiday garland: String several together to make a simple paper star garland.
● Gift wrapping: Use them in place of traditional bows for a thoughtful handmade touch.
● Window decorations: Hang them at different heights in a window.
● Holiday tablescapes: Scatter a few across your table or tuck them into a centerpiece.
You could even make them in different sizes using different types of paper.
How to Make a Paper Star Garland
One of my favorite ways to use these little paper stars is to turn them into a simple Christmas garland. It’s such a pretty way to bring a little vintage charm to your mantel, staircase, doorway, or Christmas tree.
What You’ll Need:
● Handmade paper stars
● Twine, string, or thin ribbon
● Needle (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make your stars: Start by making as many paper stars as you’d like for your garland. I love mixing a few different sizes to give it a more collected, handmade look.
2. Prepare your string: Cut a length of twine or ribbon to your desired garland length. Be sure to leave a little extra on each end for hanging.
3. Attach your stars: There are a couple of ways to attach your stars. You can carefully thread the twine through the center of each star using a needle, or use a small dab of hot glue on the back of each star to secure it to the string.
4. Space them out: Arrange your stars along the string, leaving a little space between each one. You can keep them evenly spaced or cluster a few together for a more relaxed, whimsical look.
5. Hang and enjoy: Once all your stars are attached, hang your garland wherever you’d like a little extra holiday charm!
I especially love the look of these strung along a mantel or layered into a Christmas tree. The combination of aged book pages and simple twine gives them that collected-over-time feel that makes handmade Christmas decorations so special.
A Little Handmade Christmas Magic
I love finding ways to make something beautiful out of things we already have around the house. These little paper stars are a perfect example. An old book page that might otherwise be forgotten becomes something you can use to decorate your home for the holidays.
And isn’t that part of the fun of handmade Christmas decorating?
You don’t need expensive supplies or elaborate projects to make your home feel special. Sometimes the simplest things are the ones that bring the most charm.
Happy crafting!