With just a week left of November, many of you are already preparing for the festive season ahead. We love engaging in slow and mindful activities this time of year and creating a sense of wonder for our families at a time that can otherwise feel busy and overwhelming. This gentle activity can be created by yourself or with kids. Our friend Hannah Bullivant has created this step-by-step guide for you to follow and bring some seasonal wonder into your homes...
"If you are looking for a simple, beautiful Advent craft to make this year, these origami paper stars are a lovely place to start. They look wonderfully delicate, especially when made with MamaOwl's glassine Kite paper, which catches the light and seem to glow from within. Origami is an ancient Japanese craft built on patience and quiet repetition, and although it can be a little fiddly in places, it is surprisingly doable. Children can usually manage the first two thirds of the folding, and an adult can help with the final, more precise twist at the end. It is a calm, companionable craft, and the finished stars look magical hung from a branch near a window or light source.
Before we begin, a small confession: I am not an origami artist. Not even a little bit. If you are expecting something that belongs in a paper museum, you may need to look elsewhere, where experts fold entire dragons out of one sheet. My stars are charmingly imperfect, and that feels right for Advent. A handmade thing is meant to look handmade.
Because photo step by steps of origami can be an absolute puzzle, I recorded a simple video showing the exact method I used here...
If my version still feels too fiddly, there are simpler star tutorials online too. Choose the one that matches your energy levels on the day.
- 24 sheets of glassine Kite paper or any lightweight paper. Available here.
- Scissors
- A pen or pencil
- A foraged branch or 2. I used a couple of floppy evergreen branches
- Twine, thread or thin ribbon (I used different colourful string)
- A hole punch or needle
- 24 Small pieces of paper no bigger than 3x6cm
- Optional dried orange slices, pine cones or whatever you have to hand.
1. Cut your paper into squares. Ten to fifteen centimetres is a good size. MamaOwl's Glassine paper comes pre-cut.
2. Follow the folding steps in the video above. Once you get the rhythm, each star is surprisingly quick. You may need to watch the video lots of times to get it - I did at first, too.
3. Make 24 stars for an Advent countdown, or fewer if you prefer a simpler garland.
4. Thread each star with twine or fine thread. A needle helps here or use a single hole punch like I did. You can also glue two stars together if you wish, for a layered and more colourful look.
5. Write 24 little messages, acts of kindness or activities to do, onto each of the small pieces of paper.
Children can join in with choosing colours, folding the first steps and threading the stars. Adults can step in for the final fold that gives the star its shape. It is an easy, shared activity without anyone getting overwhelmed.
1. Hang your foraged branch horizontally. A window is ideal because the glassine kite paper catches the light and they glow beautifully.
2. Tie the stars at different lengths. Staggering the heights keeps the whole thing looking soft and organic rather than uniform or stiff.
3. Add a little greenery if you want extra texture. Rosemary, Eucalyptus or tiny Evergreen sprigs all work well.
4. Fold your written messages into small packages and then carefully tuck them inside the centre of each star.
Styling your origami stars at home
Once everything is hung, you can treat it like a tiny winter installation. This is where the design magic sits. Glassine glows in natural light, so placing the branch by a window or above a radiator cover gives you that beautiful lit-from-within effect through the day. If your home leans earthy and warm, layer in natural textures beneath the branch, like a woven basket or a cluster of pinecones. If your palette is calmer and cooler, keep it minimal and let the translucency do the work.
Origami stars look lovely as a standalone moment, but they also sit well within a wider seasonal display. A few candles nearby, a small bowl of walnuts, a sprig of greenery on the sill. Nothing heavy, just gentle, quiet touches that make the season feel more rooted and intentional.
If you do go exploring online, the world of origami is enormous. There are people folding creatures that simply should not be possible. I admire them from a safe distance. I am perfectly happy with my slightly wonky stars, glowing softly on a branch."
What a mindful and beautiful activity to create with loved ones. We are bursting with ideas!
If you’re looking for more simple, natural winter crafts or seasonal styling ideas, Hannah has collected a few favourites in her blog, which you can find here. You can Follow Hannah on Instagram for her wealth of styling tips and beautifully handmade decor. She also hosts workshops and online courses which can be found here.
We look forward to seeing what you all create and hope you enjoy this moment of slow crafting.