How to Make Honeycomb Paper Ornaments DIY Tutorial

If you love lightweight paper crafts and dimensional décor, these paper honeycomb ornaments are a magical project to try this season. 

I’ll walk you through both of the methods I used this year: one with Kraft paper, printer paper, construction paper, tissue paper, or even book pages, and another made from simple coffee filters.

They look intricate and fancy, yet they’re surprisingly easy—perfect for the first time crafter or anyone who’s had a hard time figuring out the classic glue pattern, glue lines, and score line placement.

If you’re more techy, you can also cut your round cutouts, half circles, finial ornament, icicle ornament pieces, half tear drop shapes, or any ornament design you like using a cutting machine and an svg file.

Whether you want classic shapes, a dramatic half finial shape, or different sizes, these DIY paper ornaments are perfect for your Christmas tree, packages, and easily saving for next year.

Be sure to watch the video tutorial here as well!

Let's get started!

Supplies Needed for Honeycomb Ornaments:

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• Kraft paper, printer paper, construction paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, or book pages
• Scissors or a Cricut cutting machine
• Paper punches (circles, ornaments, hearts, scallop circle) or an svg file and Cricut Machine
• Craft glue, Bearly Art Precision Glue, or glue that can draw a thin line
• Mod Podge
• Twine or ribbon
• Wood beads for the top of the ornament
• Clothespins or clips

Method 1: Paper Punch Honeycomb Ornaments

This version creates the classic folded, dimensional style using a piece of paper punched into different shapes.

Step 1: Punch or Cut Your Shapes

Punch a big stack of identical shapes—at least 20–30, depending on the size of the ornament.

Circles, scallops, a traditional finial ornament, or a half tear drop shape all work wonderfully.

If you want absolutely unique shapes, like a teddy bear, a cutting machine is ideal.

Step 2: Fold in Half

Fold each shape in half along its center line, creating a clean flat edge. 

This fold becomes the spine of the ornament and helps align your glue lines later. 

For heavier 65–80 lb cardstock, firmly run your fingernail along the score line.

Step 3: Apply First Pass of Glue

Open one folded piece and apply a thin line or bead of glue in a straight line from the fold line, nearly to the edge (you don't want glue dripping out of the paper).

Repeat gluing down the center for each of the folded punched shapes.

After gluing them across the center, clamp them in a clothespin to dry completely.

Step 4: Apply Second Pass of Glue

After the first pass of glue has dried, it's time for the second pass.

Now you will glue each of the folded and glued pieces together, this time with a stripe of glue at the 1/4 and 3/4 mark.

In this little ornament's case, it just needs a little dot of glue both places.

Once your pieces are stacked and glued, use clothespins to clamp the edge of the ornament and let it dry thoroughly. 

Step 5: Mod Podge and Twine

Use a paintbrush and paint a thin layer of Mod Podge all over the spine of this little honeycomb "book" we just made.

Add the twine for hanging and coat it in Mod Podge as well.

You can tie a wooden bead at the base of the twine and have it dangle out of the base of the ornament if you want to go with that fun, Old World look.

Then let it dry completely.

Step 6: Open the Honeycomb

When dry, gently open your ornament. 

You’ll see the beautiful honeycomb chambers forming between the ends of the ornament. 

After opening, add those same stripes of glue and use paper clips to hold it in place while it dries, or add a dab of hot glue or a couple glue dots on the edge of the ornament to connect the two sides.

I didn't use hot glue, because I couldn't trust it not to get glue strings everywhere, end up gluing too many layers together or burning my fingers because the ornament is so small and delicate.

Once the glue is dry, it's ready to remove the little paperclips and hang on the tree!

Which of these little honeycomb ornament punch shapes do you like the best!?

This little ornament is absolutely a classic...and I really like how the heart turned out.

They are all favorites...I need like 10 of each of them or some in metallic papers too!

Hang on the tree and enjoy the labor of love!

They are dainty and delicate, they work great with tissue paper and lighter weight papers...the kraft paper cardstock was a little more tricky, so I'd recommend lighter weight paper.

Method 2: Coffee Filter Honeycomb Ornaments

Coffee filters make stunningly airy honeycomb Christmas ornaments, and the process is extremely simple--and goes much faster than the smaller punched and glued ornaments.

Supplies Needed for Coffee Filter Honeycomb Ornaments:

• Coffee Filters
• Tape Gun Adhesive

Step 1: Fold in Half

Start with a stack of coffee filters. 

Fold each one in half down the middle, surprisingly does not have to be super precise, so just have fun with it.

Step 2: Tape the Filters

Add a line of tape from the fold to the end of the coffee filter, across the center in a straight line.

Then fold it again and press firmly.

Then alternate tape lines.

Do two tape lines, one at the 1/4 mark and then at the 3/4 mark.

Place a folded coffee filter over that and press down firmly. 

Then open the most recent coffee filter and tape one line down the center.

Keep alternating your lines of glue until you have a generous stack—around 20–40 folded pieces, depending on the size of the ornament.

Essentially, you could make additional lines and more intricate honeycombs, but I found this was the most effective result and time.

These ornaments turn out really big and fun--maybe a little too big, so using the smallest coffee filters or cutting these down a bit would be helpful.

Step 4: Open the Honeycomb

Once dry, open the stack, connect the two end piece with a line of tape in the pattern it needs to complete the circle...then your airy honeycomb paper ornaments are ready!

Step 5: Hang

Add twine, and if you'd like, attach wood beads or a small finial at the bottom of the ornament for a more sturdier ornament or sculptural look.

Or just nestle those big ornaments in the tree branches!

Check out these fun additions to this King of Christmas Alpine Fir and they match my coffee filter flowers perfectly too!

Color Scheme Ideas

Try a monochrome color scheme, bold brights, neutrals for a Scandinavian feel, metallic wrapping paper, vintage book pages, or pastels for a soft winter look.

You can even mix different sizes on the same Christmas tree for visual variety.

These DIY paper ornaments are incredibly adaptable—use construction paper for durability, tissue paper for a delicate glass-like look, or book pages for a cozy vintage aesthetic. 

Whether you make a traditional round design or try a dramatic finial ornament, the honeycomb effect is always magical. 

And now that you know the technique, you’ll want to make them in different shapes, a variety of sizes, and an entire rainbow of color scheme ideas for next year’s decorating!

That's it!

Making honeycomb ornaments is a lot of fun and gives a cool vintage look.

Then can easily be fastened with a glue dot or paper clip, so they are easy to take apart and store flat for the next year.

Simple to make these stunning ornaments out of just paper!

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