Elegant Christmas Tree Napkins for a Beautiful Holiday Table

Add a festive finishing touch to your holiday table with these elegant Christmas tree napkins. They look impressive arranged on dinner plates, but all you need is a square cloth napkin and a few simple folds.

Finish each tree with a cinnamon-stick trunk, star anise, fresh greenery or a handwritten place card. Choose traditional green napkins or mix in red, ivory and natural linen to complement your Christmas table.

What You'll Need

—One square cloth napkin for each place setting, approximately 18 to 20 inches
—An iron or handheld steamer
—Cinnamon sticks, optional
—Star anise, optional
—Fresh rosemary, cedar or fir, optional
—Small place cards, optional

Before You Begin

Press or steam your napkins before folding. Crisp napkins are easier to work with and will hold the Christmas tree shape more neatly.

A medium-weight cotton or linen-blend napkin works especially well. Very thick fabric can be difficult to tuck, while extremely soft or slippery fabric may not hold its shape.

How to Fold a Christmas Tree Napkin

Lay Out the Napkin

Place the square napkin flat on your work surface with the finished side facing down.

Fold It in Half

Bring the bottom edge up to meet the top edge, creating a rectangle. Smooth the fabric and press the fold firmly.

Fold It in Half Again

Fold the rectangle in half from right to left, creating a smaller square. You should now have four loose fabric corners stacked together.

Position the Napkin

Turn the folded square so it resembles a diamond. The closed corner should point away from you, and the four loose corners should point toward you. Make sure all four loose corners are together at the bottom before continuing.

Fold Up the First Layer

Take only the top loose corner and fold it upward, stopping just below the top point of the diamond. Press the fold gently.

Fold the Remaining Layers

Fold each remaining loose corner upward, working with one layer at a time. Leave a small, even space between each folded edge. When finished, you should see four staggered layers.

Christmas tree napkin fold tutorial part one — steps 1 through 6 showing how to fold the napkin into a diamond and create the staggered layered points

Flip the Napkin Over

Carefully hold the folded layers in place and flip the entire napkin over. Keep the pointed end facing down.

Fold in the Right Side

Bring the right side diagonally toward the centre. This begins forming the narrow tree shape. Press the fold firmly so it stays in place.

Fold in the Left Side

Bring the left side diagonally across the back, overlapping the first fold. The napkin should now resemble a narrow kite with a point at the bottom.

Turn It Back Over

Carefully flip the napkin back to the layered side. Rotate it so the pointed end faces upward. The staggered fabric flaps should now be visible on the front.

Fold and Tuck the Layers

Fold the upper flap upward to create the top of the tree. Continue with each flap below it, folding the pointed tip upward and tucking it underneath the fold directly above. Gently smooth each layer as you work your way down.

Finish the Tree

Tuck the final bottom flap underneath the napkin to create a clean base. Straighten the sides and adjust the layers until the tree looks even and symmetrical.

Decorating Your Christmas Tree Napkins

Once the napkins are folded, add a simple holiday detail to each one.

—Place a cinnamon stick beneath the tree to create a trunk.
—Add one star anise at the top.
—Tuck in a small rosemary or evergreen sprig.
—Add a handwritten place card.
—Place a small wrapped chocolate at the base.
—Use a tiny ornament as a take-home favour.

Keep the decorations fairly simple so the Christmas tree shape remains the focus.

Choosing Napkin Colours

Green napkins create the most recognizable Christmas trees, but they aren't your only option.

Ivory and white feel elegant and timeless, while natural linen creates a relaxed, rustic look. Deep cranberry red adds richness to a traditional Christmas table.

You can also alternate colours around the table for a more festive look.

Helpful Tips

—Press the napkins before you begin.
—Make each staggered fold as even as possible.
—Hold the folded layers securely when turning the napkin over.
—If the layers keep unfolding, press them lightly with an iron before continuing.
—Avoid overly thick or slippery napkins.
—Fold the napkins earlier in the day and place them directly on the dinner plates.

Can Christmas Tree Napkins Be Folded Ahead?

Yes. You can fold the napkins earlier on the day of your gathering and arrange them on the plates before guests arrive.

If you need to prepare them the night before, place the finished napkins in a single layer inside a clean container. Avoid stacking anything heavy on top, as this may flatten or shift the folded layers.

Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas from The Hungry Raven.

Homemade. Heartfelt. Seasonal.