DIY snowflakes: how to cut them and 4 techniques

Paper snowflakes are the simplest and most affordable New Year decoration: all you need is paper, scissors and a little patience. Learn a couple more techniques and your snowflakes can become a garland, window decor, tree ornaments or gift tags. Here is how to cut a proper six-pointed snowflake and what other methods there are.

Festive flowers: flower baskets and white roses.

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A little about real snowflakes

Real snowflakes are ice crystals with six-fold symmetry, which comes from the structure of the ice crystal lattice. The first person to photograph them in large numbers was the American farmer Wilson Bentley in the late 19th century. So a paper snowflake should properly have six points too.

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Techniques

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How to cut a six-pointed snowflake

• Take a square of thin paper and fold it diagonally into a triangle.
• Fold the triangle in half again.
• Divide it into three equal parts and fold them over each other — this gives six points.
• Trim the top at an angle.
• Cut shapes along the edges — triangles, half-circles, slits. Do not cut right through the folds along their full length.
• Unfold carefully and press flat with a dry iron through a sheet of paper.

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3D and other snowflakes

• 3D — six slit squares rolled into cones and glued together.
• Hot glue — draw a snowflake with a glue gun on baking paper, peel off once cool and add glitter.
• Beaded — thread beads onto wire spokes.
• Felt — cut out and stitch, adding beads; these last for years.

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How to use them

• Stick snowflakes to a window with soapy water — they come off easily.
• String them into a garland on thread or fishing line.
• Use small ones as gift tags.
• Add them to an evergreen New Year arrangement.

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For festive arrangements see New Year flower arrangements, and for more decorations see DIY Christmas angel.

FAQ

Which paper is best?

Thin printer paper or tissue paper — easy to fold and cut. Thick card only works for large, simple shapes.

Can children make them?

Yes, it is a great activity for kids; give little ones round-tipped scissors and leave the glue gun to an adult.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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