How to make Christmas paper chains
Make super simple yet elegant Christmas paper chains to create a beautiful place card holder for your Christmas table or create a simple paper chain.
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This guide on how to make paper chains is a little different, we have included the basic tutorial on how to make a simple paper chain below, but we figured many of you will already know how to do that, so we wanted to add an extra special something to our paper chain makes this year.
We have created this paper chain place card holder for your Christmas table! They have little gaps in between so they are great for hiding special treats for your dinner guests, like sweets and jokes, maybe even a party hat (why not use these instead of Christmas crackers this year?).
These Christmas paper chain place card holders are surprisingly quick and easy to make, we will take you through step-by-step what to do below, and you can even watch our video tutorial showing exactly what you’ll need to do. All you will need is seven strips of card, or less if you prefer a smaller place card holder but seven strips make the one as seen in our photo below.
You can use any cardstock but ours is 12×12 inches square, double-sided and decorated in Christmas patterns. The particular one we used is not available but there are plenty of other designs available online, we love this one: First Edition FSC 12”x12” Paper Believe in Magic-48 Sheet Pad, 200gsm Heavyweight Cardstock from Amazon.
Video tutorial: how to make a paper chain place card holder + bonus simple paper chain
Supplies for how to make a paper chain
- Christmas card stock, Amazon
- Gold card, Amazon
- Craft glue, Amazon
- Acrylic marker pens, Amazon
If you can’t get enough of festive crafts, you’re in luck we have plenty more where this came from, and in all of our areas of crafting. Why not try this fun guide on how to make a Christmas stocking or this how to make a Christmas wreath tutorial to spruce up your Christmas decor. If you want to get the little ones involved have a look at these Christmas crafts for kids, jam-packed with tonnes of fun craft ideas. Not sure what you want to do next? Find out what’s hot this year in our Christmas trends round-up.
How to make the paper chain place card holder for your Christmas table
You Will Need
- Coloured card (12x12 inches)
- Ruler and pencil
- Craft glue and small paintbrush
- Scissors
- Black marker pen
Step 1
Take your 12inx12in card and mark 2inch increments along one side, then do this again on the opposite side.
Step 2
Draw lines with a ruler and pencil to make strips.
Step 3
Cut your strips along the lines you’ve made.
Step 4
Grab yourself some craft glue, ready for sticking.
Fold your strips in half and then cut.
Step 5
Take a strip and glue it in a circle. Press down firmly to ensure glue sticks.
Step 6
Add your next strip into the loop using an alternating colour, or side (if a double-sided card like ours).
Step 7
Continue the previous step until you have used 7 strips of card (you can change the amount depending on what your style is).
Step 8
To make the name sign, you can use any card, we chose gold!
Cut out a small rectangle, then cut corners off and cut in half.
Step 9
Cut 2 smaller strips of the same card to create ‘legs’ of the signpost and glue to back.
Step 10
Take another small square of scrap card and cut into a small rectangle so that it fits on your gold sign, then write your guest’s name on it.
Step 11
Glue to your gold sign and slide into the place card holder (no need to glue). You can also hide other treats and fun little gifts for your dinner guests inside it.
You’ve now completed your paper chain Christmas place card holders!
Bonus! Make simple paper chains Christmas
Step 1
Take any scraps of your paper left over from the above project, fold in half lengthways and cut. OR each strip should be w 1inches x h 6inches.
Step 2
Fold into a circle and glue in place.
Step 3
Add alternating colours until the desired length of the Chirstmas paper chain is complete.
Easy as that! If you love Christmas paper chains and want more festive fun try our amazing tutorial on how to make a Christmas stocking or these lovely crochet Christmas decorations to make your Christmas feel really homemade! If you’re a dab hand at knitting be sure to check out our free Christmas knitting patterns, to whip up some handmade presents for your loved ones. Looking for more papercraft inspiration? Find out how to make your own Christmas crackers, for that extra touch of handmade to your festive table this year.
Authors
Katie Dolan edits our needlework sections, focusing on our embroidery and cross stitch articles, as well as making videos for our arts and crafts projects. Katie runs her jewellery business, Ophelia Jewellery Art, on Etsy, where she sells beautiful resin-pressed flower earrings. She has a wide range of craft interests including embroidery – she particularly loves all things pop culture and a less traditional approach – The Simpsons and Rick & Morty are among her favourites to embroider. She has recently completed a silversmith workshop and hopes to expand her jewellery business with these new skills. When she’s not crafting, she’s usually fuelling her Harry Potter addiction with a Sunday film marathon and a couple of butter beers!
