It’s finally spring time! The weather has been amazing in my corner of the world – warm, sunny, fresh air and slight bits of warm rain coming down every so often. I’m excited that the cold is long gone – it lasted too long. Plus, I can finally host people in our garden and even make some delicious BBQs. I’m happy just being able to relax in the backyard, really!
I love to decorate my garden during the warm seasons and create a beautiful and relaxing ambiance. There’s a little known DIY paper craft that you can easily make with your old Christmas lights and some origami skills. If you haven’t done origami before, don’t worry! You can always find detailed instructions to follow online.
Flower Origami (Source)
The first step you need is, of course, the Christmas lights. I bought mine at ChristmasLightsEtc.com since they have some really good deals in low-demand seasons. You can obviously use your own lights if you have any stored from Xmas!
Now that you’re pumped up and ready to make your DIY origami lights, you need to decide what color lights you want for the decoration: Do you want white lights? The standard Christmas red & green lights? (Your decoration will probably look very Christmas-inspired) Maybe multi-colored? Your color pick will affect the look of the decoration, so make sure you think it through!
You also want to consider the type of lights. There are smaller bulbs, stronger lights, net lights, icicle lights, animated lights, twinkle lights, garland lights, and even more options available. As you can see, there are numerous options to look through!
Paper Cubes (Source)
Next up, is the origami design.
There are so many fun origami designs that you can create that will look beautiful placed on the lights. Personally, I love multi-colored flowers as they make for a very spring-inspired garden decoration.
You don’t have to limit yourself, though; there are so many origami patterns and ideas, each creating a distinct look to the decoration and having their own appeal. You can even use them inside your home on the walls, on the table, or wherever else you desire! Of course, as a priority, you want to make sure that whatever paper you chose is not flammable and can handle the heat of the bulbs.
Accordion Origami (Source)
I’ve collected a few of the best DIY origami light decorations I’ve found online. These have all inspired me – I hope they inspire you, too!
Origami Stars (Source)
I have never thought on combining Christmas lights and origami – what a great idea! Really like the paper cube option.
That is such a cool idea! I never would have thought to do something like that, but I think it’s a neat way to decorate and you could change it up color wise to match anything!
This is super cute! I love the accordion ones! I would love to make this for my kids room!
Those are awesome! Such a cute way to reuse lights! I really like the star ones. I will have to make some for our sitting area outside. They would definitely lighten up the place 🙂
These are so cute! The flower lights are my favorite.
I’m excited about the warm weather as well. Your DIY origami light is beautiful. I am excited for you! I wish I had a garden to decorate. Lol
Now these are so beautiful – I wish I can make this myself too.
You can! 😀 Just takes patience and time.
Those are beautiful. I tried origami was and didn’t do so well but had fun trying. May see if son wants to make some of these.
They look lovely! You mentioned what would be my concern – heat and paper, I admit that makes me very nervous.
It does for me as well… I have found a spray that is supposed to make the paper non-flammable.. I’ll keep you guys posted if it doesn’t keep to it’s word! I also don’t keep them turned on long.
I love anything with lights. Very fun!
Those are beautiful! I would probably only have them for a short period of time like party or something! Would be worried of fires!
Eek! Yeah, that’s my worry as well. I don’t keep mine turned on for long.
My daughters are getting into origami. If they knew they cool make cool stuff like this, they would steal my Christmas lights!
I actually bought an origami & light set for my niece! She had a really fun time making them but be careful w/the electric bits and the heat..
I love making crafts, and these are going to the top of my to do list!
HUGE fan of the accordion lights! SO cool. Stringing a TON of them across the dance floor would be stunning Don’t think I could tackle it myself, but certainly with the right staff it would be amazing visual for guests!
Those are AWESOME! I had started working on an origami mobile for my kids but gave up. Might need to try these – they’d love them hanging in their room.