15 Christmas Napkin Folding Ideas to Transform Your Holiday Tablescape

All set and ready for that Christmas dining! Its your tables turn to dress and impress. Put your tablescaping skills to good use and give your table and guests that finishing touch with a pretty napkin fold. Beautifully folded napkins set the scene for a meal to remember. A beautifully arranged napkin can easily add style and elegance to any setting. Napkins are an element of decoration too.

Remember, you don’t have to be an origami master to make an impression! There are simple and easy napkin folding ideas, so don’t hesitate and give your napkins a Christmas fold.

1. Give It A Roll

via @decoratordiva1

For this easy fold you simply have to give your napkin a roll. To keep it together tie it with some foliage in the middle or put a ring on it to achieve a similar look. If you want to have a more clean and minimalist look to your table setting you can place your silverware inside it.

2. Put On The Ring

via @thecreacionesbm

Using a napkin ring is an easy way to give your table a more elegant look. There are various ring sets to choose from but even if you don’t have one you can always DIY napkin rings with a few simple supplies. When using a napkin you don’t have to worry about having to do any complicated folds.

1. Lay the napkin out flat on the table. Pinch the center and lift up.
2. Hold napkin ring over pinched end and slide down until it reaches the center of the napkin.

3. Pop It With A Cracker

via @life_of_isatu

This year instead of buying crackers you can make your own Christmas reusable crackers. All you need is a full size cotton napkin and gorgeous velvet ribbons. Inside you place a small carboard barrel which you can fill with small fun items like after-dinner games, sweets, jewelry and more.

It’s a fun way to set the mood with a fun pop from the start!

4. A Napkin Christmas Tree

via @davenportfarmhouse_

Placing a Christmas tree in your plate is the most impressive and themed fold. Instead of using a plain color you can use patterns for personality like this plaid napkin.

If you fancy this fold you check out some tutorials.

5. Give It A Knot

via @leben_zuhause

It’s not a fancy fold but it’s suitable for any occasion. You can bring in some style and yet be casual.

1. Lay the napkin facedown. Then fold in half diagonally, leaving the point of the napkin closest to you.
2. Roll upward from the point, forming a 2-inch-wide band. Take the left and right ends upward over the center of the band, forming a triangle.
3. Fold the right side up and over the left side, pulling through to create a knot.

6. A Sophisticated Bow Tie

via @crystal.belle.home

You can never go wrong with a bow especially if you want a more formal tableplacing. Its a pretty and playful touch to your Christmas table.

1. Fold the napkin in half and half again to get a square. Fold again in half to get a rectangular shape.
2. Turn it horizontally and using a ribbon, tie a knot in the middle so it looks like a bow when placed on a plate. A foliage stem or a napkin ring will work equally well.

7. Dress Up With A Bow

via @rhodeoakhome

What’s Christmas without ribbons? Dress your plates with ribbons of style like this plaid one, but for the purpose even a plain color has the same effect. For this fold you can use a ring to keep the ribbon together.

8. Give It A Twirl

via @simplystyledinspo

In style with just a twirl, no folding needed, yet the result is a like a five-star restaurant. For this choice you simply need a fabric napkin and a fork to create the twirl. To finish off the design use elegant flatware and add knick-knacks on top.

Your knick-knacks can vary from foliage stems to dried oranges and cinnamon sticks to give a Christmassy smell.

9. French Pleat Pocket

via @thepennrenovation

Give your napkin an elegant fold and create a pocket to place your cutlery inside. The pocket is also the perfect place to tuck in a flower stem or sprig of herbs for a more organic look.

1. Fold a square dinner napkin in half, then in quarters.
2. Fold the open corner’s top layer to meet the opposite corner.
3. Turn over the napkin, fold it into thirds, and turn it back over.
4. Tuck your polished cutlery into the pocket. Add a place card or printed menu, if desired.

10. The Diamond

via @cb_creative_boutique

This fold can have a rustic or elegant look depending on your design. It’s an easy fold and it’s perfect for holding your cutlery. With this fold you can also add knick-knacks in the pocket like a bouquet instead of the cutlery.

1. Start with a crisp, square napkin. Fold diagonally to form a triangle.
2. Bring the longest side of the triangle to the center.
3. Grab the right edge and fold it one-third of the way. Then, fold the left edge over it.
4. Secure with a ribbon.

11. Accordion With A Twist

via @isysinteriors

Have a more natural yet Christmassy tableplacing with this fold. Add a natural element with a napkin ring made from pinecone, rosemary or cedar. Here is how to go about with the fold:

1. Begin with a square napkin in a diamond orientation.  
2. Make a ½-inch fold along the left side. Flip the napkin over and make another fold. Continue the accordion fold until you reach the right edge.
3. Gently slide the napkin ring towards the center of the napkin.

12. Give It A Gift Fold

via @champagne.chaos

Mimic gifts by making your napkins look like wrapped Christmas gifts. All you need is to fold your napkin into a rectangle or square and wrap it with a complementary ribbon, and tie a loopy ribbon in the middle. And there you have it!

13. An Easy Put Together

via @valley_view_visions

Whether you’re short on time or you haven’t mastered the skills of folding, this is the easiest and quickest fold.

1. Lay your napkin flat.
2. Fold in half from left to right.
3. Finish by cinching the middle of the napkin with a napkin ring or ribbon.

14. Winter Bouquet

via @ivyandpoms

Make an impression with a cute and creative bouquet fold. With this fold you need a fabric napkin, some winter foliage, you can choose real or faux, and a napkin tie to go with it. There lots of napkin ties to choose from, you can even DIY your own ones.

15. A Simple Triangle

via @charlestedinteriors

A sophisticated triangle fold is a classy choice for any table setting. In combination with a ribbon of choice and embroidered napkins you’re sure to make an elegant statement.

1. Lay your napkin flat with its good side facing upwards.
2. Pinch the middle of the napkin and lift it up. 
3. Orient the napkin properly if it’s embroidered.
4. Adjust the folds by tucking the left and right sides behind.
5. Tie a piece of ribbon around the napkin and create a bow.