Maple Leaf Napkin Folding Idea

Bring a touch of seasonal charm to your table with this beautiful maple leaf napkin folding idea.

Perfect for fall dinners, Thanksgiving gatherings, and even Christmas celebrations, this simple paper craft adds an elegant accent to any place setting.

Add a natural and sophisticated touch to your table décor with this maple leaf napkin folding idea.

It’s an easy way to dress up your table for special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, fall harvest parties, or even autumn weddings.

Whether you use crisp paper napkins the folded leaf shape creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that guests will love.

This napkin folding design works especially well for holiday meals and family gatherings when you want something that looks thoughtful without being too complicated.

With just a few simple folds and a bit of practice, you can create stunning leaf shapes in minutes. It’s also a wonderful addition to buffet tables, formal place settings at weddings, or casual autumn brunches.

If you’re new to napkin folding or paper crafts, don’t worry—this step by step tutorial is beginner-friendly and requires no special tools.

Plus, the design is versatile enough to pair with different napkin colors and styles, making it easy to coordinate with your overall theme for any occasion.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• A beautiful way to add seasonal flair to your table décor
• Perfect for fall dinners, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday gatherings
• Works with paper napkins for flexible styling
• A quick, easy paper craft that looks impressive in any setting
• Step by step instructions make it simple for beginners and fun for experienced crafters
• Make these maple leaf napkin folds in advance.

Skill Level

★★☆☆☆ (Easy)

Materials Needed

• Standard square paper napkins
• Satin Ribbon or small peg

Instructions

Step 1: Star by unfolding your paper napkin. Typically them come folded into quarters. Have the color you want your leaf to be facing down (if you are using single sided napkins, you might like to place another napkin on the top [color side out] before you start folding. The color facing up will be seen in the middle of your leaf).

Note: to make it easier for you to see, we have done this tutorial with a single sided napkin. This way you can tell the difference between the front and back of the napkin.

Step 2: Fold both the top left and top right corners in to meet the middle.

Step 3: Fold the bottom edge up along the existing middle crease.

Step 4: Fold the same edge back down but this time to meet the bottom edge.

Step 5: Fold the upper layer of the bottom flap (you folded down in the previous step) up along the lines shown.

Step 6: Fold the napkin in half from left to right.

Step 7: Rotate your napkin to sit as shown.

Step 8: Fold the bottom edge down along the line shown.

Step 9: Fold the same flap up so that its folded edge matches the bottom edge of the napkin underneath.

Step 10: Accordion fold that same flap (fold the paper back and forth in a zigzag pattern, like an accordion). Crease well.

Tips For Success

• Use two-tone or textured napkins for a more realistic leaf effect.
• Fold ahead of time and store lightly pressed under a book to keep their shape.
• Add a small name tag or acorn on top for a place card and decorative touch.
• For Christmas, use rich reds or deep greens to give the leaves a festive feel.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

• Folds not crisp enough: Work on a hard surface and press each fold firmly.
• Lopsided leaf shape: Align edges carefully during folding for a balanced look.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Fall-inspired: Rust orange, golden yellow, and deep red napkins to match autumn leaves.
• Christmas theme: Emerald green or crimson napkins paired with gold cutlery for festive elegance.
• Rustic style: Kraft paper napkins tied with twine for a farmhouse vibe.
• Modern chic: Monochrome napkins (white, grey, or black) for a contemporary table setting.
• Mix maple leaves with other folded napkin shapes (like pumpkins or stars) for variety on larger tables.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• Wedding Gift Wrapping Ideas
• Origami Crane Garland
• Wedding Gift Wrapping Ideas
• DIY Diamond Paper Garland
• Easy Origami Stars

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.