Napkin Folding Ideas for Every Holiday & Special Occasion

Looking for an easy way to dress up your table for a special occasion? Try a creative napkin fold, like an adorable bunny for Easter, a rose for Mother’s Day, a bat for Halloween, a turkey for Thanksgiving or a tree for Christmas. Includes more than 50 napkin folding ideas and tutorials, plus table decorating inspiration for every holiday and special occasion.

Whether you’re setting the table for Mother’s Day, a Thanksgiving feast, a July 4th barbecue or a New Year’s Eve party, I’ve found some great, creative and easy napkin folding ideas you’ll want to try.

collage of different holiday napkin folding ideas

In addition to the major holidays — New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas — you’ll find napkin folding ideas and techniques to use all year round for any occasion you can imagine.

Butterflies, boats, firecrackers, shamrocks, pinwheels, bow ties, tuxedo jackets, flowers and more — there’s no limit to the shapes into which you can fold a napkin.

A creatively folded napkin is an easy way to dress up a table setting and elevate an event.

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This post includes more than 50 different napkin tutorials, organized by category.

Most of these folds can be done with cloth or paper napkins. At the end of this post, you’ll find links to purchase pretty cloth and paper napkins.

These napkin folds are great for lots of different occasions and can be styled for casual and more formal events. To find out how to do each napkin fold, just click on the Read More or Watch Now links below.

Jump to:

🍽 Napkin Folding Ideas for Parties & Weddings
⛵️ Nautical and Sailboat Napkin Folds
🇺🇸 July 4th Napkin Folding Ideas
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Napkin Folds
🐰 Easter Napkin Folding Ideas
💐 Mother’s Day Napkin Folds
🎃 Halloween Napkin Folding Ideas
🦃 Thanksgiving & Fall Napkin Fold Ideas
🎄Christmas Napkin Folds
❤️ Valentine’s Day Napkin Fold Ideas
👔 Father’s Day Napkin Folding Ideas
🎉 New Year’s Eve Napkin Folds
Shop for Cloth Napkins
Shop for Paper Napkins

🍽 Napkin Folding Ideas for Parties & Weddings

Here you’ll find ideas appropriate for all kinds of parties, showers and weddings throughout this post in many of the holiday categories.

But we thought these clever napkin folds would work for a variety of events.

The sailboat and airplace napkin folds are great for a baby shower, kid’s birthday party, a dinner party or a bon voyage celebration.

The pinwheel napkin fold is fun for summer barbecues, as well as weddings or even the 4th of July! Kids will get a kick out of seeing napkins folded into butterflies and fish.

You’ll also love the napkin folding ideas for July 4th and St. Patrick’s Day.

Pinwheel Napkin Fold Tutorial to Set a Festive Table

Add a festive touch to your parties with this quick and easy pinwheel napkin folding technique that works with cloth or paper napkins.

Airplane Napkin Fold

Such a cute idea for a baby shower, birthday party or a send-off for someone embarking on a trip. If you can fold a paper airplane, then you can do this airplane napkin fold with a fabric napkin or paper napkin.

Spring Napkin with Lily of the Valley Flowers

Tuck some pretty lily of the valley flowers — or another favorite spring flower — into a napkin and tie with pretty ribbon to create a stunning tablescape for Mother’s Day, May Day or a spring brunch.

Butterfly Napkin Fold

Imagine a table full of colorful butterflies at a garden party. Learn this simple origami technique for a butterfly napkin fold.

Watch now

Fish Napkin Fold

This video tutorial will how you how to fold a napkin into a fish shape. Use this napkin fold for a beach party, baby shower or under-the-sea themed birthday.

Watch now

If you’re looking for more wedding ideas, be sure to check the Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and New Year’s Eve categories.

⛵️ Nautical and Sailboat Napkin Folds

Kids and sailors will love these nautical napkin folds.

Sailboat Napkin Fold

Learn how to turn a square napkin into a sailboat in a few easy steps with this adorable napkin folding tutorial.

Origami Sailboat

Use this beginner tutorial to create a standing origami sailboat using a paper napkin.

Nautical Sailboat Napkin Fold

Another nautical-inspired napkin folding technique. This one uses a striped clothed napkin to replicate the look of a sailboat.

🇺🇸 July 4th Napkin Folding Ideas

These patriotic napkin folds are perfect for July 4th, Memorial Day, Flag Day or any patriotic occasion.

Firecracker Napkin for July 4th

Use red, white and blue napkins to make firecrackers for your table for the 4th of July. This is an easy rolled napkin technique that anyone can do.

Watch now

Fireworks Napkin Fold – Here’s another technique for making and styling fireworks napkins.

American Flag Napkin Fold

If you find napkins that look the Stars and Stripes, try this American Flag napkin fold. These triangle fold napkins would be great for any patriotic holiday or occasion, including Memorial Day, Flag Day or July 4.

Watch now

☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Napkin Folds

Learn how to fold a napkin into fun shapes for St. Patrick’s day. Tutorials include a shamrock shaped napkin and a napkins folded to look like a Leprechaun’s hat and pot of gold.

St. Patrick’s Day Napkin Fold

These napkins, folded to look like a lucky four-leaf clover, are the star of this St. Patrick’s Day tablescape. While this fold may look challenging, you’ll have the best luck if you use a square napkin.

Shamrock Napkin Fold Tutorial

Decorate a St. Patrick’s Day table with a shamrock napkin fold by following this well-illustrated, 6-step tutorial.

St. Patrick’s Day Napkin Folds

Learn how to make a leprechaun’s hat and boot, a pot of gold, plus six more fun St. Patrick’s Day napkin folding techniques with this video tutorial

Watch now

🐰 Easter Napkin Folding Ideas

Learn how to fold napkins into Easter bunnies, carrots and crosses — perfect for your Easter table.

There are many different ways to fold bunny ears napkins. Learn three different techniques below and choose your favorite, or try them all.

Easter Bunny Napkin Fold and Table Setting Idea

Use cloth napkins in new, inventive and creative ways this spring. This beautiful and whimsical Easter Bunny Napkin Fold and Table Setting Idea will bring joy and smiles to your Easter celebration!

A Bunny Napkin Fold for Easter

Learn this bunny napkin fold and decorate your table for Easter. This tutorial shows you two different ways to fold a napkin with bunny ears for spring and Easter celebrations.

How to Fold Bunny Napkins

These folded bunny napkins add a whimsical touch to your Easter table – and they’re easy to make! The tutorial includes step-by-step photos and instructions.

Easter Tussie Mussie Napkins

Tussie mussies were metal tapered vases used in the Victorian era to hold small bouquets. You can make some for your spring or Easter table by tucking flowers into a folded napkin. This tutorial shows you how.

How to Make Easter Party Carrot Napkins

In this video, Pottery Barn Kids stylist Kelli Ronci teaches you how to make carrot napkins for the kids’ table this Easter.

Watch now

How to Fold a Napkin into a Greek Cross

Learn how to fold into a Greek Cross from a paper napkin with this simple video tutorial. You can also use starched cloth napkins.

Watch now

💐 Mother’s Day Napkin Folds

Celebrate mom with a home-cooked meal served at a pretty table. She’ll love these flower napkin folding ideas.

Many of these napkin folding ideas could also be used for a wedding, bridal shower or ladies luncheon.

Mothers’ Day Tablescape with Bow Napkins

This elegant Mother’s Day tablescape features pink napkins folded to look like bows and embellished with pearl napkin rings. The look was inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s classic look in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Spring Tablescape with Flower Folded Napkins Tutorial

Follow these quick and easy steps fort a bright and cheery spring tablescape with flower folded napkins as the perfect finishing touch.

Fleur de Lis Napkin Fold

Celebrate mom with these pretty and attention-grabbing napkin folds! Use cloth napkins to make this elegant fleur de lis. Very French! A perfect napkin fold for a champagne brunch.

Fillable Napkin Pourch

Learn how to make a pouch out of a napkin to hold flowers, candy and more! This fold is great for Mother’s Day, Easter, weddings, baby showers and so many other occasions. A very versatile fold.

Lotus Flower Napkin

This beautiful two-toned lotus flower napkin fold is sure to impress! Learn the technique in this 2-minute tutorial video

Watch now

🎃 Halloween Napkin Folding Ideas

Learn how to fold napkins into pumpkins, bats, ghosts and a witch hat with these spooky tutorials.

You can use paper napkins, and many of these napkin folds are easy enough for kids to do.

Ghost Napkin Fold

Kids will love these spooky ghost-shaped napkins. You can make them using paper napkins or cloth napkins! They’re scary easy to make for your Halloween party. Includes a video and printable instructions.

Bat Napkin Folding

Get creative with your Halloween place settings! These fun bat napkins are a cinch, and take less than one minute to fold. No need to be an origami expert to master this technique. These napkins are great for Halloween.

Easy Napkin Design – Fall Pumkin Napkin

Transform an orange napkin into a pumpkin with these technique. Quick & easy video tutorial.

Watch now

Witchy Tablescape for Halloween

Create a witchy tablescape fun for Halloween, using black and white plates. Learn how to make the witch hat napkins using two fabric napkins and a napkin ring!

Count Dracula Napkin Fold

You’ll need a black napkin, two sheets of white paper, a black marker, and a pair of scissors to make this dapper Count Dracula Napkin design. Includes a step-by-step video tutorial.

Watch now

🦃 Thanksgiving & Fall Napkin Fold Ideas

Fall leaves, turkeys and other creative napkin folds are easy ways to dress up your Thanksgiving table.

You can really change the look of your tablescape by using napkins in autumn-inspired colors.

Fall Place Setting {Letters of Thanks}

Use a square napkin for this envelope napkin fold. Slip a note of thanks inside each one and use them on your Thanksgiving table.

Turkey Napkin Fold

This Thanksgiving place setting is made from three linen napkins—two for the fan of tail feathers and one for the head and breast (which is stiffened with aluminum foil).

Fall Leaf Napkin Fold Tutorial

If you’re falling for fall like we are, you’ll love this simple place setting idea featuring polyester napkins folded like leaves and tied with twine or ribbon. Full instructions

A Sunflower Place Setting

Use real sunflowers or faux ones as napkin rings for a late summer or early autumn table. Learn this fun folding technique that creates a pocket where you can slide in the silverware.

Sunflower Paper Napkin Folding Tutorial

Use yellow or orange paper napkins to make these pretty sunflowers for your table. Includes a step-by-step tutorial, a how-to video and ideas for creating a sunflower-themed tablesetting.

Pocket Fold Napkins

This classic pocket fold can be used in so many ways. Here, it’s part of a holiday tablescape used with blue-and-white paper napkins and Blue Danube china. The silverware and a gilded leaf are tucked into the pocket of each napkin.

🎄Christmas Napkin Folds

Learn several different techniques for folding napkins into Christmas trees and stars, plus find more whimsical napkin folding tutorials for Santa’s hat and elf boots.

We’ve included napkin folds for fancy dinners and casual get-togethers, as well as a few folds kids will love!

Christmas Tree Napkins

Turn a green napkin into a lovely Christmas tree with this linen-folding how-to. Learn how with this fun GIF.

Watch now

Double Star Napkin Fold

Learn how to make an easy star napkin fold to show off your hostess skills at your next gathering.

Felt Santa Napkin Ring

Ho! Ho! Ho! Make these adorable felt Santa napkin rings for the kids table this Christmas! Such a fun craft for kids of all ages!

Christmas Tree Napkin Fold Tutorial

Dress up your holiday tablesetting with this easy Christmas tree napkin fold tutorial. Video tutorial included.

Elf Shoe Napkin Tutorial

Such a fun fold for a Christmas party! Use red and green napkins to make these adorable elf shoes that can be filled with candy or treats.

Poinsettia Napkin Fold

Decorate with Christmas table with napkins folded to look like poinsettias. Learn how with this video tutorial.

Watch now

Swan and Christmas Star Napkin Folds – The House That Lars Built

❤️ Valentine’s Day Napkin Fold Ideas

Learn how to fold napkins into hearts, roses and envelopes for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

You’ll find the full tutorials at the links below.

Valentine’s Day Table Setting with Envelope Napkin Fold

Create this bold, bright and festive Valentine’s Day table setting with envelope napkin fold for your sweethearts or loved ones.

Easy Heart Napkin Folding Tutorial

Create a pretty and romantic Valentine’s Day table setting using this simple step-by-step heart napkin folding tutorial.

DIY ‘Romantical’ Rose Napkin Fold

Serve your Valentine a homemade meal accompanied by a romantic red napkin flower.

Pretty Valentine’s Day Table

A lovely example of how to use pretty napkins, napkin rings and other embellishments to create a unique Valentine’s Day table setting for two.

👔 Father’s Day Napkin Folding Ideas

Honor dad with a homemade meal for Father’s Day. He’ll get a kick out of seeing napkins folded into neckties, bowties and a golf shirt!

Father’s Day TNapkin Tie

Learn how to fold a napkin tie in less than a minute with this full video and picture tutorial! Create an adorable Father’s Day table setting that everyone will appreciate!

Golf Shirt Napkin Fold

Dad will love this clever napkin fold that looks just like a golf shirt. Learn how to make one with this step-by-step tutorial.

🎉 New Year’s Eve Napkin Folds

These more formal napkin folds are perfect for New Year’s Eve or a wedding.

New Year's Eve Napkin Fold Ideas Atta Girl Says

Who knew you could turn a napkin into a tuxedo or fancy dresses?

Tuxedo Jacket Napkin Fold

This tuxedo jacket is the perfect napkin fold for a black tie event. Use it for a fancy New Year’s Eve party or a formal wedding.

How to Fold a Bowtie Napkin

Dress up your napkin with a bowtie fold. It’s so quick and easy you’ll love it!

8 Amazing New Year’s Napkin Folds

Learn 8 different New Year’s Eve napkin folds, including this festive noisemaker fold. Includes video tutorials.

How to Make a Jacket Napkin

In one video, you’ll learn 4 different ways jacket napkin. You can use this simple tutorial for many different events, including weddings, romantic dinners, Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day.

Watch Now

Prom Dress Napkin Fold

Learn how to turn a pretty pink napkin into a dress with this video tutorial. This napkin fold could be used for a bridal shower, wedding or a kid’s dress-up party.

Watch now