Looking for a simple yet stunning holiday craft you can make with just a few basic supplies? These Paper Christmas Ball Ornaments add a sweet handmade touch to your tree, gift bags, or holiday decor.

They look wonderfully intricate, but the repeating folded-paper shapes make the process soothing and beginner-friendly. They’re perfect for crafty afternoons with kids or a quiet creative break just for you.

You can customize the colors, patterns, and bead accents to match any Christmas theme: traditional red and green, metallics, pastel candy-land hues, or even book-page paper for a vintage feel.

Paper Christmas Ball Ornaments

Supplies Needed

Colored craft papers (medium weight recommended)
Pencil
Scissors
Craft glue
String or thin cord
Large round beads (about 2 cm)
A round template (lid, cookie cutter, or circle punch)

Three completed honeycomb-style paper ornaments in yellow, green, and orange with beads attached at top and bottom.

Here’s another great idea! These easy Christmas snowflake ornaments are made from toilet paper rolls. You won’t believe the transformation! – Toilet Paper Roll Snowflakes

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Instructions

Twelve yellow paper circles cut from medium-weight craft paper laid out on a white background.

Step 1:

Choose medium-weight craft paper — heavy enough to hold its shape but still easy to fold. Light origami paper is too thin for this craft.

Trace one round shape in your desired size; this becomes your template.
Use the template to trace 12 circles onto your craft paper, then cut them out neatly.

Yellow paper circles folded neatly in half, arranged loosely on a white background.

Step 2:

Fold each paper circle in half. Take your time and crease them cleanly so the ornament looks crisp when assembled.

Single folded yellow paper circle with a thin line of glue applied along the center crease.

Step 3:

Take one folded circle. Open the fold slightly and run a thin line of glue right down the center of one half.

Yellow paper circle folded closed after glue has been applied to one side.

Step 4:

Fold that same circle in half again and press the glued section gently to secure it.

Multiple yellow folded paper circles prepared and arranged on a white background before assembly.

Step 5:

Repeat the gluing and folding process with all remaining folded circles.

Folded yellow paper circle with two lines of glue applied near the outer edges.

Step 6:

Take one prepared half-circle. Add two small glue lines on either side of the center fold.

Have you ever tried paper quilling? This paper quilled Rudolph ornament is easy to make and absolutely adorable.

Folded yellow paper circle with glue lines ready for attaching to the next paper piece.

Step 7:

Place another half-circle on top, lining up the edges. Press gently to adhere. Add two glue lines to the top of this new layer.

Stack of folded yellow paper circles glued together into a tight semicircle bundle.

Step 8:

Continue attaching all 12 folded pieces in the same way, stacking them into a fan-like bundle.
Allow the glue to dry completely.

Completed honeycomb-style paper ornament formed into a round yellow ball.

Step 9:

Once dry, pull the first and last pieces toward each other to open the ornament into a full sphere.

Finished yellow paper ornament next to a base circle, string threaded onto a needle for hanging.

Step 10:

Cut a piece of string or cord and prepare one extra round paper cutout for the ornament base.

Gold bead threaded onto white string positioned along the center of a folded round paper base.

Step 11:

Thread a bead onto the string and position the bead right at the edge of the base circle. The string should run across the center of the base.

White string threaded through a gold bead and laid across a folded round paper base for the ornament.

Step 12:

Bring the loose end of the string back down through the bead to form a hanging loop above it. Adjust the size of the loop to your liking.

Folded paper base coated with glue, with a gold bead and string attached, and the paper ornament half placed nearby.

Step 13:

Cover the entire top of the base circle with craft glue.

Completed yellow honeycomb-style paper ornament attached to the glued base with the gold bead at the top

Step 14:

Press the plain bottom side of your paper ornament firmly onto the glued base.

Finished yellow paper ornament with gold bead on top and pearl bead tied at the bottom.

Step 15:

Add a matching bead to the bottom of the string under the ornament and tie a knot to secure it in place. Trim any excess string.

Flat lay of three colorful paper ornaments—yellow, green, and orange—arranged beside dotted craft paper.

Check out these super cute folded paper ornaments too. They are simple to make and because they fold flat, they are a fantastic little gift to add to your Christmas cards.

Tips & Variations

Use double-sided patterned paper for a different take on this decorative look.
Add glitter glue accents to the edges for sparkle.
Make several in different sizes for a pretty clustered display.
Try metallic or pearlescent beads for an elegant finish.
Try stringing together a bunch of these ornaments to make a garland.

Click here to find even more DIY Christmas ornament ideas.