Multicolored folded paper ornaments sit in a bowl. Text over the top reads "Abbi Kirsten Collections DIY Paper Ornament Tutorial." Get your home holiday ready with these easy-to-use templates!

Along with the Christmas season comes so many enjoyable traditions & opportunities to get crafty and creative with your decorations for both your tree and home. Making decorations from paper can be a great way to go easy on the budget while still making this year’s decor unique and original to YOU!

In this tutorial, we’re making things so simple! You don’t have to be artistic or a highly skilled crafter to make these adorable 3D paper Christmas ornaments that can be hung on the tree or around your home. Follow the simple directions & download the templates to make some baubles perfect for your family’s holiday space!

In addition to these fun paper ornaments, I also teamed up with 10 other AMAZING bloggers who have some fabulous ideas of their own for DIY Christmas ornaments with your Cricut. Be sure to jump down below and check them out!

An unopened paper ornament, thread, and a jar of blue beads sit on a white wooden table-top. You can make your own 3D ornaments with this tutorial.

Supplies You’ll Need for 3D Paper Christmas Ornaments

Glue Gun
50-65-pound cardstock
Cricut Explore Air 2 Machine or Cricut Maker
Some string or ribbon
Pearls (optional)
Templates – Find them in the holiday section of my crafter’s VIP Freebie vault via the pink button below – they are in the Holiday section! If you love the freebies, you can download more ornament templates from my shop!
A Christmas tree to decorate! I LOVE these artificial trees!

Download 3 FREE Ornament Templates

3D Paper Ornament Step-By-Step Video Tutorial

If you prefer to follow along with the video for these 3D paper Christmas ornaments, check out the video tutorial below!

3D Paper Ornament Step-By-Step Picture Tutorial

Step 1

Start by cutting out as many ornament pieces as you’d like using the provided templates. There are 3 free ones, or get all 9 signature 3D ornament designs!

There won’t be an exact amount needed at this step, but the more ornament cutouts that are used, the more detailed & layered your finished product will be. I like to go with AT LEAST 10 cutouts for each ornament to get a good result.

Abbi Kirsten's hand fold a pink paper ornament cutout in half. You can make 3D paper ornaments with Abbi's templates!

Step 2

Fold each of your ornament cutouts in half lengthwise. If you want a more detailed ornament, try for 14-15 folded pieces but use no less than 10.

A bunch of paper ornaments folded in half on a wooden table. Snowflake decorations peek in from the top. You can use a Cricut or scissors to make these 3D Christmas paper ornaments.

Step 3

Now that each piece is folded add a strip of glue down the lateral side of each ornament & add another folded piece on top.

The DIY paper ornament tutorial picture instructions continues as Abbi Kirsten's hand holds a paper ornament consisting of multiple paper cutouts.

Step 4

Continue gluing and stacking ornament cutouts one on top of another, working to keep them aligned as best as possible.

Over a white table top, Abbi Kirsten's hands hold together a multiple cutout Christmas ornament.

To help keep the pieces aligned, it is helpful to work in smaller groups. Stack 3-4 cutouts in a single group & then once you have a few small groups completed, glue those stacks together. This will make it a bit easier to work with the added thickness of the cardstock as it builds.

Abbi Kirsten holds a stack of paper ornament cutouts that have been glued together to create a 3D ornament.

Step 5

Set aside your stacked ornament for now. Next, we’ll create a loop for the center from which it will hang. Using some jute twine or ribbon, cut about a 6″ piece, fold in half, & create a knot towards the end where the two ends meet. Pull it tight to create a loop.

Over a white wooden distressed table, Abbi Kirsten forms a loop with white string.

Step 6

Add a strip of glue down the folded edge of your ornament and place your loop there. You should have enough of the loop sticking out the top edge of your ornament to hang it on your tree or string it up.

Abbi Kirsten's left hand holds a 3D paper ornament while pressing a piece of string into the center. Her right hand hold the string's loop above the ornament.

Step 7

Add glue to one end of your ornament stack and bring both ends around to meet each other. This will create your dimensional rounded ornament.

Abbi Kirsten holds a near completed 3D pink paper ornament. A squiggle of glue has been placed on one side of the ornament.

Step 8

Spread out the various layers to have a nice even shape all the way around your 3D paper Christmas ornaments.

Abbi Kirsten uses her hands to fan out the layers of pink paper ornament for decorations or Christmas trees.

Step 9 (optional)

This is an entirely optional addition, but for a little extra flair, you can hot glue a small bead or pearl to the bottom of each ornament.

Abbi Kirsten adds a light green craft pearl to the bottom of the pink 3D paper ornament for extra flair.

That’s how easy it is to say goodbye to the same boring bulbs! I’ve provided 3 free templates for you to enjoy (download them in the supply list above).

A finished 3D pink paper ornaments with a pearl base sits in the palm of Abbi Kirsten's hand. This is just one of nine templates for Christmas ornaments available on Abbi's site.

You can get really fancy with all the various shapes and sizes of ornaments to make a bunch and give your holiday decor just the right pizzazz! Grab the full signature set of ornament templates to make your tree really pop!

On a white table top decorated with white snowflakes sits a flower-shaped bowl filled with 3D paper ornaments and craft pearls in bright colors. Get your home holiday ready with these easy-to-use templates!

Drop me a note in the comments and give me all the details on how your ornaments turn out! If you loved it, share it with a friend!

Abbi Kirsten smiles as she decorates an artificial white Christmas tree with 3D paper ornaments in all colors, sizes, and designs. All nine ornament templates are available on Abbi's site.

Loving these ornaments?! Check out my fellow Cricut Crafter’s creations!

A collage of Christmas ornaments, like reindeer baubles and paper balls. The text over the images reads "Christmas Crafternoon DIY Cricut Ornaments." The templates include family ornaments and great gifts for teachers.

Easy 3D Paper Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial with Templates

Active Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Easy

Spice up your holiday with these colorful, easy 3D paper ornaments you and your family can create together! Use my templates for a variety of shapes and your Cricut machine for easy cutting -you can use scissors too!

Materials

Instructions

Cut out the ornament pieces using my templates. You can cut as many as you like because the more ornament layers you use, the more detailed your ornament will be. I recommend 14-15 cutouts but no less than 10.
Fold each cutout in half lengthwise.
Add a strip of glue down one side of the fold, and add another cutout on top. To keep the cutouts aligned, do this step in groups of three to four cutouts. Then adhere the groups together. Keep the cutouts folded for this step.
Create a loop in your thread or ribbon using about 6” of thread.
Add a strip of glue down the folded edge of your stacked ornament and add the thread leaving the loop above the ornament.
Add glue to one end of your ornament stack and bring both ends around to meet each other. This will create your dimensional rounded ornament.
Fan out the layers for a nice rounded shape.
Optional: Add a craft pearl to the bottom of your ornament with glue.

Now you have beautiful 3D paper ornaments to brighten up your holiday home. Grab the full signature set of ornament templates to make your tree really pop!

About Abbi Kirsten

Welcome to my colorful corner of the internet, where we play with vibrant crafts and unlock your creative magic! Hang out with me and get lost in a fun array of projects, tutorials, and products, from stunning papercraft ideas to flower templates, Cricut help for beginners, and endless crafter’s hacks.

To access all the magic, join the Member Vault and participate in my monthly Craft-Alongs in my Facebook group!

A multipaneled graphic featuring a picture of Abbi Kirsten hanging 3D paper ornaments on a white tree and pictures of the steps needed to make the ornaments. The text reads "DIY Paper Ornament Tutorial Templates Included!"

P.S. Need a holiday stress reliever? Let me help you with that! My new Happier Holiday Planner will get you off the hot mess express and back to enjoying your cocoa by the fire!

Easy 3D Paper Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial with Templates

Supplies You’ll Need for 3D Paper Christmas Ornaments

Download 3 FREE Ornament Templates

3D Paper Ornament Step-By-Step Video Tutorial