How to Make a Cool Geometric Christmas Ornament with Christmas Cards

Time needed: 30 minutes

How to Make a 3-D Christmas Card Ornament with Christmas Cards

1. Cut out 21 Circles

   Trace something circular, like the bottom of a small cup (or template), on top of your holiday cards. You need 20 circles, plus an extra for a triangle template. Trace and cut them all out. 
   
   To make your ornament prettier, you can try to use Christmas cards that are mostly a certain color or style, or only two colors.

2. Create an Inscribed Equilateral Triangle Template

   Now you need to create an equilateral triangle template that you can circumscribe within each circle (or download my templates here).
   
   This means that each side of the triangle is the same length and every corner is touching a point on the outside of the circle like pictured below.
   
   It will likely take some trial and error to get it to measure just right, so use a pencil. You can follow this video tutorial on Youtube on how to make it (you’ll need a compass and a ruler) or you can just download my template.
   
   

3. Cut out Triangle Template

   Cut out an extra circle from a card to create the template to make it way easier on yourself.

4. Score the triangle on your circles.

   Trace the triangle shape on the back of each of the 20 circles you cut out, if using a pen for scoring, so the lines won’t be visible. Score the triangle lines you make.
   
   Make sure to score on top of other unused cards or on a self-healing cutting mat so you don’t damage your table.
   
   You can use a simple pen and press hard while using a ruler to make sure it is nice and straight, or use a scoring stylus like this Cricut one.

5. Fold along creased lines.

   Fold over the edges of the circles along the lines, folding them forward, toward the colored pattern/design of the card.

6. Glue together top section of ornament.

   Now it’s time to start assembling the ornament! Start with the top and glue the edges of five circles together. Press firmly together for about 15 seconds to secure flaps together.
   
   If your tacky glue isn’t holding well, use a paper clip to hold the edges in place until they dry.

7. Glue together bottom section of ornament.

   Repeat step 6 and create the bottom by gluing 5 circles together in a similar manner.

8. Glue together middle section of 3-D ornament.

   For the middle section, you’ll glue together the remaining 10 circles, but in a straight line. Glue alternating flaps on the circles until all ten are glued together.

9. Add a hanging mechanism.

   Take a piece of ribbon or string and loop it through a button. Pull string through the bottom of the top section of your ornament so the bottom rests at the top. Secure the button there with some glue for extra strength.

10. Glue together the three parts of the ornament.

    Now it’s time to start assembling the ornament! Glue the bottom flaps of your top section to the five top flaps of your middle section, until completed all the way around.
    
    Use paper clips to secure the flaps until dry.
    
    Repeat this process with the bottom part of the ornament, gluing the remaining flaps together to form a round ball.

11. Add additional elements as desired.

    If you want, you can add glue to the flap edges and dip it in glitter. You can also trim exposed edges on flaps, or otherwise personalize the ornament to your liking .

12. Hang it on the tree or gift it!

    This DIY geometric ornament makes a great gift or a fun decoration to your own tree! Enjoy!