How to Make an Origami Candy Cane Christmas Ornament

Origami is the art of paper folding. Some origami is incredibly complicated, but this origami candy cane Christmas ornament is very easy to make. Older children and adults can fold these easily. They don't have to be made in traditional red and white, but the paper used does need to be square origami paper with a different color or design on the front and back sides of the paper to make the candy cane stripes contrast when it is folded. Make them as ornaments or to put on wrapped Christmas gifts.

Things You'll Need

• 1 sheet square origami paper (two different color or patterned sides) White craft glue Gold or multi-colored glitter Fine gold string or embroidery floss

Instructions

1. 

   Begin by bending the square sheet of origami paper from one corner to another, like folding it into a triangle, but do not fold it all the way over. There should be at least ¼ inch of the opposite side color showing on the bottom, like a frame or trim around the two open sides of the top color. Then press the fold crisply using your finger nail.

2. 

   Flip the triangular folded paper over so no white trim is seen. Start folding the framed triangle from the folded end, all the way across making the fold small. This process is what makes the stripes of the candy cane. The first fold determines the width of the strips so make it small.

3. 

   Fold it again and continue folding it over and over, making sure each fold is pressed crisp and sharp. Once the straight candy cane is completely folded, open up the two ends slightly and put white craft glue there to keep all the pieces in place. Then let it dry.

4. 

   Fold the glued and dried origami candy cane two-thirds of the way up the straight candy cane at a right angle.

5. 

   Fold it again at a right angle down about halfway across the shorter piece. Now there is a full candy cane shape with a hooked part at the top. Lift the two folds of the hook and put white craft glue right under the folds. Press the candy cane down with something heavy like a book to let it dry. If the folded origami candy cane isn't held in place to dry, the thickness of the fold will keep the candy cane from staying closed and flat.

6. Put a bead of white craft glue all along each striped edge of the candy cane all the way down the candy cane and up on the hooked part so every striped edge is beaded with a line of glue. Then sprinkle glitter on the glue. Shake off the excess and let it dry.

7. Tie a looped piece of embroidery floss or thread on the top of the candy cane to make a hanger for the Christmas tree or to attach a Christmas tree hook to. That way, the origami candy cane ornament can dangle off of the tree branch. Now hang it up on the tree or make a Christmas gift more festive by adding an origami candy cane to the top of the package.