We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?
Impress any guest with one of these techniques.
The art of napkin folding might appear complicated at first glance, but it's actually a really easy way to transform your table when you're entertaining guests. Whether you're hosting a casual Sunday brunch for a few friends or an elaborate Thanksgiving feast for the whole family, a perfectly pleated napkin can add a special touch at each place setting that's a step up from your everyday meal. Plus, you can use the linens as a way to add color to your dining room or as a spot to place name cards or utensils.
The next time you're planning a dinner party, elevate it with one of these pretty napkin folding ideas from our friend Jenny W. Chan, the crafty brains (and lovely hands!) behind the YouTube channel Origami Tree. Before the day of your event, stock up on square cloth napkins. Clean, ironed linens will fold more crisply as well. When you're ready, find a flat surface to spread out and watch one of the video tutorials below to the get the step-by-step instructions. With these clever ideas and helpful guides, you'll be folding perfect napkins for your party in no time.
Pull out this trick for your best Thanksgiving table yet. Note: You'll need two cloth napkins to make a bird for each place setting — but they'll both come in handy when it's time to spoon on the gravy!
RELATED: 30+ Easy and Elegant Thanksgiving Centerpieces
For your next holiday meal, make the zig-zag shape of a pine tree with clever pleats. Start with a folded square, and bring up corners to create layers. Then with a little flipping and tucking, you'll get your evergreen.
RELATED: 40 Christmas Appetizers That Can Easily Feed a Crowd
Think outside the vase with this special twist. Take a cloth napkin in the color of your choice, and fold it into a square. Then, flip it over and fold in the corners. Finally, pull out the bottom edges and you've got yourself a lovely flower.
Give your table just a touch of romance with a lovely rose that's sure to wow. For this, take a red washable serviette and fashion it into a long, thin roll. Next, hold the left corner down to make a right angle. Then, start twisting the cloth into a rose. Finally, flip it over and tuck the loose ends into place.
RELATED: 30+ Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts for Your #1 Guy
Fun, functional, and fast to make, your picnic isn't complete without it. Red and green disposable napkins are the way to go. Once you layer the colors on top of each other, fold the two serviettes into a triangle shape. Don't forget to draw on little seeds with a black marker.
The crown design is a classic that should be done at least once during the holidays. A classic red napkin will work wonders. Once you're done folding the cloth, curl the left and right sides so they meet in the middle and tuck one into the other. Then, you'll fold down the sides to reveal the most regal crown.
RELATED: 40 Christmas Table Decorations for Your Holiday Dinner
Take your party to the next level with this deceptively easy technique. You'll definitely want to use square cloth napkins so the shape holds better. To construct the atrium, create three layers by folding the points you've made into one another. It's so much easier than it looks!
Get twice the glam with a bright "double star" at every setting. To create this look, you'll need square napkins in the color of your choice. After a couple of quick folds, firmly pull down the sections between the folds until they each form a V-shape. You'll repeat this step on the other side. Once you achieve your desired shape, allow the napkin to unfold into this beauty.
RELATED: 50+ Genius Summer Party Ideas for Easy Entertaining
Add a few of these to your table to make it more colorful — and fun. All you need are medium-sized napkins in yellow to get started. After a few folds, you'll find your diamond shape, which will allow you to create flaps, a.k.a playful feathers.
To recreate a nautical design like this, you can use striped paper napkins. Start by folding two corners into the center. Then, fold that shape in half, making sure your corners stay nice and sharp. After a few more moves, your sailboat will come to life.
RELATED: 60 Quick Summer Dinner Recipes to Try This Year
There definitely won't be any fighting at the dinner table when these guys make a splash. After just a minute or two of folding, you'll have the most adorable little fish. Add a touch of fun by using polka dot paper napkins.