Nothing says “I love you” more than a gift made by hand. Except maybe a Valentine’s Day gift where the person has made a crate that requires a serious amount of patience and the dexterity of a surgeon.
Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, doesn’t have a reputation for being the easiest of crafts to master, but we’ve pulled together some Valentine’s origami ideas that we think even the most craft-challenged among us can achieve.
These 6 stunningly simple origami ideas include everything from 3D paper hearts to little cupcake toppers that are so cute that they will remind your other half why they fell in love with you in the first place.
Enjoy!
Our Valentine’s Day Origami Ideas
#1 Origami Roses (The Spruce Crafts)
You can never go wrong with a bunch of roses. So why not invest your time, not your money, into some Origami Roses. This craft is perfect for all skill levels, only requiring red and green craft paper, a little time and a bit of patience.
Supplies & materials:
- Red craft paper
- Green craft paper
Instructions:
1. Start with a square piece of red craft paper, approximately 6 x 6 inches.
2. Fold the square in half diagonally, creating a triangle.
3. Unfold the paper, and you'll have a crease running down the centre. Fold both sides of the triangle inward along this crease, forming a smaller triangle down the centre.
4. Take each side of the smaller triangle and fold it inward, aligning the edges with the centre crease. This creates a diamond shape.
5. Fold the bottom edge of the diamond shape upward, leaving a small portion at the top. This forms the base of the rose.
6. Rotate the paper so that the pointed end of the diamond is facing down. Fold the left and right corners towards the centre, forming a shape resembling a kite.
7. Fold the upper flaps of the kite shape downward, creating the outer petals of the rose.
8. Gently open the layers of the rose, revealing the intricate petals.
9. Cut a thin strip of green craft paper for the stem and additional pieces for the leaves. Attach the stem to the base of the rose by tucking it into the folds.
#2 Origami Heart Bookmark (DIY Candy)
Crafting an Origami Heart Bookmark isn’t just a cute Valentine’s Day gift. It’s also a little reminder of how much you love them each time they pick up their latest read. This is about as beginner-friendly a project as there is, so even if you’ve never folded a single piece of paper before, you should be able to make this.
Supplies & materials:
- Coloured paper
- Scissors
Instructions:
1. Start with a square piece of coloured paper. If you don't have a square, you can easily trim any piece of paper to its desired size.
2. Fold the square in half diagonally to form a triangle.
3. Fold one of the triangle's corners towards the centre, forming a smaller triangle. This will leave you with a rectangular shape.
4. Take both sides of the rectangle and fold them towards the centerline. This creates a smaller rectangle.
5. Fold the rectangle in half to make a square.
6. Take each of the top corners and fold them in towards the centre, creating a diamond shape.
7. Then tuck the bottom flap into the pocket created by the folded corners, and now you can slide the bookmark onto the corner of the page to create your bookmark.
#3 3D Paper Hearts (DIY Craft Bazaar)
This delightfully easy craft turns a simple sheet of paper into a stunning 3D Origami Heart. Not only is it something a little bit different from the standard card and a box of chocolates, but it’s also relaxing for the maker as you focus on perfectly folding each piece of paper. Making the craft itself is a breeze, with you only needing to follow 7 steps.
Supplies & materials:
- Sheets of red paper (depending on how many you want to make)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Thread
Instructions:
1. Take a piece of paper (15 cm x 15 cm).
2. Fold it in half.
3. Then open and create a 3mm fold on one edge and fold it in half the other way.
3. Now turn the paper horizontally, take each corner and fold inwards, creating two triangles leaving a gap between each triangle.
4. Take the bottom corner of each triangle and fold upward to create a smaller triangle.
5. Now unfold the triangles and fold the outside point along the crease you just made.
6. Then slide the flap below the triangle you just made into the fold of the triangle next to it.
7. You’ll now see a small hole at the point of the triangle, blow gently, and you’ll see the heart take shape.
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#4 Origami Rings (Paper Kawaii)
If you’ve got someone who loves a bit of bling but you don’t have the bank balance to spring for a new ring, then why not try making an origami one? These Origami Rings are a really easy and beginner-friendly way to create some jewellery for your loved ones, the only time where it becomes a little bit more technical is when you are making smaller rings, so if you’re making a fun Valentine’s for your little one then it may take a little more time and patience.
Supplies & materials:
- 2 sheets of coloured paper (one for the ring and one for the jewel)
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
Instructions:
1. Take one sheet of coloured paper and cut a strip approximately 1 inch wide. Adjust the length based on your finger size.
2. Form a circle with the strip of paper and secure the ends with glue or tape, creating the base of the ring.
3. Take the second sheet of coloured paper and cut a small square for the jewel.
4. Fold the square into a shape of your choice.
5. Apply a small amount of glue to the back of the folded jewel and carefully attach it to the ring base.
#5 Origami Heart Cupcake Topper (Shelly Makes)
Elevate your cupcakes this Valentine’s Day to a whole new level with these adorable Origami Heart Cupcake Toppers. This fun and charming DIY project not only adds a delightful touch to your baked treats but is also the perfect addition to make your cupcake a little more romantic. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or just bringing a smile to your loved ones' faces.
Supplies & materials:
- Coloured paper
- Cocktail sticks
- Glue
Instructions:
1. Choose your favourite coloured paper for the hearts. Cut it into squares, around 3x3 inches, for a standard-sized cupcake.
2. Cut out two heart shapes or, for ease, fold the paper in half and cut a teardrop shape to hear a perfect heart repeat twice.
3. Apply a small amount of glue to the cocktail stick and stick one heart to one side, followed by the other heart on the other side.
4. You can also decorate the hearts some more with glitter or paint before adding them to your cupcakes.
5. Once dry, trim the cocktail stick if necessary and add to your cupcake.
Enjoy!
Now you have 5 easy and effective origami ideas to gift or decorate with this Valentine’s. These origami ideas are a delightful way to showcase your craftiness while adding a personal touch to your gift. No matter what you’re doing this Valentine’s Day.
For more Valentine’s inspiration, take a look at our most recent posts, including 10 Valentine's Gifts Under £10.
