How to Make Paper Snowflakes

How to Make the Best Paper Snowflakes Around

Let’s face it: It’s hard to imagine Christmas without a little snow. Whether you’re in a warmer climate or avoiding the winter winds outdoors, an afternoon spent inside making paper snowflakes with your family is just one way to celebrate the happiest season of the year.

And just like in nature, no two paper snowflakes are exactly the same, so each of your snowy creations will be a little bit different from the rest! Not sure where to start? We’ve broken down the process to make basic 6-pointed snowflakes into easy-to-follow steps. Happy crafting!

Step One: Make a Square
Start with an 8.5x11-inch sheet of paper. To make a square, fold one corner of the rectangle to form a large triangle. Press firmly to make a strong crease, and trim off the excess paper.

Step Two: Fold your triangle in half once more so that the two skinny corners meet. At this point, the full square of paper should be folded into quarters.

Step Three: To make a 6-pointed snowflake, fold your triangle into thirds. Press down firmly on every fold to make sharp creases.

Note: To make an 8-pointed snowflake, fold the triangle into fourths and follow the rest of the steps as written. It’s up to you which look you prefer!

Step Four: Use a pair of scissors to cut the uneven tops of your triangle off so that all of the layers of paper are the same size.

Step Five: Cut the top of your triangle off at an angle. Cutting at an angle is what makes the points of the snowflake.

Step Six: Time to get creative! You can draw your design ahead of time, or go freehand and start cutting shapes, zig-zags and lines out of your snowflake. Just be careful not to cut all the way from one side of your triangle to the other, or else you’ll chop your snowflake in half.

Step Seven: Gently unfold your craft paper to reveal your snowflake.

Your finished snowflakes can be displayed alone for a crisp, fresh snow look, or you can go all-out and throw some glitter on those frozen fractals. (Feel free to sing “Let It Go” as you do!) Simply place a paper plate under your snowflake and apply glue to the spots where you would like glitter. Then lightly sprinkle glitter over your snowflake, catching any remnants on the plate for easier cleanup. To hang your snowflakes, use a hole punch to make a small hole in one point of your snowflake and thread through festive holiday ribbon to dress them up.

How to Make Pretzel Snowflakes

You don’t want to make decorations on an empty stomach! Check out our pretzel snowflakes recipe for a fun, on-theme snack to enjoy alongside your cutout creations. Better yet, serve your snowflakes with a steaming cup of awesome hot cocoa too!

Ingredients

• 10 oz. vanilla-flavored candy coating or almond bark, chopped
• 54 tree-shaped pretzels
• Decorator sugar, edible glitter or other small candies

What You’ll Need

• 2 cookie sheets
• Wax paper
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Ribbon, if desired

Step One: Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. Place candy coating in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds; stir until melted and smooth. If necessary, microwave an additional 20 seconds.

Step Two: To make each snowflake, place 6 pretzels, stems toward center and bottom points touching, in a circle on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. One pretzel at a time, hold tip of tree and dip in melted candy coating; let excess drip back into bowl. Place pretzel back in circle. Continue with remaining pretzels in circle.

Step Three: To form top layer of each snowflake, dip 3 additional trees, one at a time, in candy coating. Place on top of first layer of pretzels with tips of 3 pretzels touching in center between pretzels in first circle. Drizzle tops of trees with coating. (Reheat candy coating in microwave for a few seconds if it gets too cool to dip or drizzle.)

Step Four: Before coating sets, sprinkle each snowflake with decorator sugar. Refrigerate 5 minutes or until coating is firm. Optional: Thread ribbon through 1 opening in tree; tie to form loop.