There is nothing quite like the scent of spice wafting through the dining room to make a home feel holiday-ready. If you are looking for DIY Christmas table setting ideas, this specific fold is my absolute favorite trick. It transforms a boring square of fabric into a stunning evergreen shape that serves as both decor and a functional napkin.
As a mom of three, I know the chaos of hosting Christmas dinner. Between managing the turkey and keeping the kids from unwrapping gifts early, setting a fancy table often falls to the bottom of the list. That is why I rely on this Easy Christmas napkin folding tree tutorial; it looks incredibly high-end but only takes about 60 seconds per plate.
The best part is that this method is a total sensory experience for your guests. How do you stiffen napkins for folding so they stand up straight? Don’t worry, I will cover that secret below to ensure your trees don’t flop over before appetizers are served. Let’s elevate your holiday tablescapes with this rustic, scented beauty!
📸 [Image-1: A stunning, high-resolution photo of the finished Christmas Tree Napkin Fold, styled on a white charger plate with a cinnamon stick trunk and star anise topper, surrounded by twinkle lights.]
📝 Key Materials
Before we dive into the full supply list, here are the heavy hitters you need to grab for this specific look.
- Square Green Cloth Napkins (Cotton/Linen)
- Spray Starch (Heavy Duty)
- Steam Iron
- Cinnamon Sticks
Supplies & Equipment Breakdown
To achieve this festive dinner table decor, you need the right fabric texture. Slippery satin won’t hold the creases!
Consumable Materials:
- Square Cloth Napkins: Forest green is classic, but Sage or Red work beautifully too.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Look for sticks that are about 3-4 inches long.
- Toppers: Star Anise (for scent) or gold paper stars.
- Spray Starch: Essential for the “standing” tree effect.
Tools:
- Ironing Board & Steam Iron: Required for crisp edges.
Substitutions & Budget Swaps:
- No Cinnamon Sticks? A clean strip of brown cardboard or a washed twig from the yard adds a similar rustic touch.
- No Starch? Use a hair straightener to press the creases extra hard (be careful!).
Step 1: The Prep (The Secret to Success)
This is the step most tutorials skip, which leads to floppy trees. Lay your napkin flat on your ironing board.
Spray a generous amount of starch over the entire surface. Iron it flat until the fabric feels stiff and crisp like a shirt collar.
Step 2: The Initial Fold
Fold your square napkin in half to create a rectangle. Fold it in half again to create a smaller square.
Turn the square so the loose corners are pointing toward your body (in a diamond shape).
📸 [Image-2: A top-down shot of the green napkin folded into a small square, positioned as a diamond with loose corners pointing down.]
Step 3: Creating the Tiers
Take the top layer of the loose corner and fold it upward. Stop about one inch from the top point of the diamond.
Repeat this with the next layer, placing it about one inch below the first layer. Continue until all layers are folded up.
📸 [Image-3: Close-up shot showing the “graduated” layers of the napkin, looking like un-tucked tiers.]
Step 4: The Flip and Shape
This is the “Point of View” moment that confuses people, so watch closely. Place your hand firmly flat on the folded layers to keep them in place.
Carefully flip the entire napkin over so the smooth back side is facing you. The point of the triangle should be pointing down toward you.
📸 [Image-4: A shot of the napkin flipped over, showing the smooth back side with the point facing the bottom of the frame.]
Step 5: The Back Fold
Fold the right corner over to the left side so the edge runs straight down the center. Do the same with the left corner, folding it over to the right.
You should now have a narrow “kite” shape that tapers at the bottom.
📸 [Image-5: The back of the napkin showing the left and right sides folded in to meet at the vertical center line.]
Step 6: The Tuck
Flip the napkin back over to the front. You will see your tiered tree shape!
Starting at the top, take the pointed tip of the first layer and tuck it under itself. Move to the next layer down, tucking the point up and under the layer above it.
Repeat this for all layers to “lock” the tree shape.
📸 [Image-6: A close-up of hands tucking the pointed tips underneath the layers to create a clean, straight edge for each tree tier.]
Step 7: Styling the Trunk
Lift the bottom of your napkin tree slightly. Slide your cinnamon stick into the bottom fold to create the trunk.
Place a piece of Star Anise or a gold star at the very top.
📸 [Image-7: The final styling step, inserting the cinnamon stick into the base and placing the star anise on top.]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
_Can you use paper napkins for the Christmas tree fold?_
Yes, but you must use high-quality, 3-ply “dinner size” paper napkins. Standard party napkins are too small and thin to hold the layers. If using paper, press down hard on the creases with your fingernail instead of an iron.
_What size napkin is best for folding a tree?_
A standard 20×20 inch dinner napkin is ideal. Anything smaller than 18 inches will result in a very tiny tree that might look lost on a charger plate.
_How to keep the cinnamon stick from rolling out?_
If your cinnamon stick keeps rolling away, place a tiny piece of double-sided tape on the back of the stick before inserting it into the fabric. This secures it to the napkin without damaging the cloth.
_How do you stiffen napkins for folding?_
As mentioned in the tutorial, heavy-duty spray starch is the industry standard. If you don’t have starch, you can dissolve a teaspoon of cornstarch in water, spray it on, and iron until dry for a DIY stiffener.
I hope this cloth napkin folding tutorial helps you feel like a pro hostess this season! It really is the little details, like a rustic Christmas table setting, that create those core holiday memories for our families.
Once you master this fold, you can whip out a dozen of them while watching your favorite Hallmark movie. Let me know in the comments if you try this step by step napkin folding Christmas tree technique!