Paper Straw Snowflakes

By Kate Riley November 16, 2011

Last summer, I kept seeing cute paper straws popping up in tablescapes and at summer parties, and I couldn’t help but think they’d be so fun to craft with during the holidays, especially in the traditional Christmas colors of red and white. To me, they look just like peppermint sticks!

I haven’t decorated at Christmas with very much red in years past (call me a rebel) but red and I are no longer estranged. This holiday season you’ll be seeing plenty of crimson at my house so let’s start with this fun and easy craft project: paper straw snowflakes!

red paper straw snowflake with border

 

If you want to make some of your own, here’s what you’ll need.  For a large 10 inch snowflake: 5 pipe cleaners; 8 paper straws; 24 beads; center embellishment; ribbon or string.  (For smaller snowflakes, cut 4 paper straws in half for a total of 8 stems).  The baker’s twine and paper straws were ordered online (see sources below) and all other supplies are from Michaels.

 

paper straw snowflake supplies-1

 

First things first. Take four pipe cleaners and twist them around each other at the center to form the basic snowflake shape. Next, cut your straws to desired length, allowing about one inch on top for the bead detail. Slide them on your snowflake.

twist pipe cleaners then add straws

 

Clip two inch sections from remaining pipe cleaner and twist around the ends, then add craft beads.

add beads to ends

 

To cover the twisted center, add a little embellishment ~ you can find many variations at craft stores.  I chose… dun dun dun… a snowflake.

embellish snowflake

 

Hey guess what. You’re done!  What? That only took a few minutes!  How cool is that?   Now fasten some ribbon and suspend your creation wherever you wish to add some color and whimsy, on your tree, above your mantel, suspended from doors, whatever!

paper straw snowflake up close cg

 

Smaller versions make great little decorations on your holiday packages too.

paper straw snowflake on brown package

brown package paper straw snowflake

 

I found my red paper straws at Sweet Lulu, but who says you need to use red?  Go crazy, pick blue, green, or pink, how fun!  You can also find red stripe versions on Amazon, they’re available at Z Gallerie and on Etsy too. Red baker’s twine available at several Etsy shops and also on Amazon as well.

Let the holiday decorating begin . . .

xo,

cg kate signature

 

 

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41 comments

  1. Aren’t you clever? That is new to me, and I find it so refreshing…thank you for sharing…

  2. Though, I don’t know that I’m ready to welcome back red in my Christmas decor, I will take inspiration from your snowflakes to up the elegance of this year’s outdoor ornaments. They should stand out beautifully against the dense branches of my fir trees. Just have to find plastic straw… Has anyone seen some?

  3. What a fantastic idea! I have some leftover paper straws lying around and while I love the way they look, I don’t really like to use them. This is a great project to put them to use! Thank you for sharing.

  4. These would look darling hanging in the windows. I couldn’t help but pop into my local Sur La Table store this morning after I read this post- and voila, they have both the straws and twine for cheaper than Amazon (go figure)! Red/white striped straws are $5.95 (for 144) AND the red/white bakers twine is $2.95.

  5. Very cute and this year is the ‘red’ year at my house. They will be perfect for my daughter’s tree. Thank you!

  6. These are lovely! I am geared up this year to begin my decorating early! These will be fun hanging in my kitchen window and I love the whimsy it adds to a package. Thanks, Kate!

  7. Kate, where in the world do you get these awesome ideas? YOU ROCK. Thanks to you, folks at our Thanksgiving celebration with have a sweet little craft to work on this year. Thank you so much for an easy, adorable project people of all ages can complete.

  8. So cute! Where did you get the brown paper from? I want to buy loads of it to use as the perfect backdrop for embellished gifts.

  9. What a great craft idea for that is easy enough for the kids. Would be perfect for a classroom party! Thanks for sharing!

  10. Oh, boy! What fun these are! Paper straws are not particularly practical for drinking, but they surely are aesthetically pleasing, aren’t they?

    So glad to hear that you’ve made peace with red. I look forward to see what you’ll have cooking come Christmastime! :)

  11. Hi Love your blog and all your ideas! but i have to say, I am saddened by the lack of thanksgiving celebrating I see on several blogs. There was a jump from Halloween to christmas. THis is a season we should all be remembering to give thanks for the blessings in our lives!
    Just a thought…

  12. Oh I’m so glad you and red are friends again! It’s my favorite color to decorate with for the season, cant wait to see what else your up to!

  13. Oh my golly gosh!! I love these!!! My little preschoolers and I will most DEF be making these for the parent gift this year!! AHHHH!!! I love it!! Thank you!!

  14. So cute…and what a fun craft to do with kids! You are amazing…you can work with power tools and make crafts! I’ll be looking for cute paper straws!

  15. This is such a cute idea, I love these stripe paper straws!
    I just saw the straws wreath in women’s day magazine
    at the grocery, but I love your idea! Great gift for anyone!
    I get my straws on etsy from Shabbygirl2, she is so nice,
    and personal, she made a special package for
    me for my wedding and helped me match
    my colors! Her website is http://www.etsy.com/shop/shabbygirl2.
    Etsy is such a fun place to shop!
    I order 500 for my wedding, for my candy bar and wanted
    to have extras for Christmas! I will be making some of these, thanks
    for the idea!
    Merry Christmas!
    Alexis

  16. I love the gift decor idea! My husband and I do themed years for our gifts, and one year I am doing paper bag paper with different embellishments on them. I love this! I might just have to do next year’s this way (this year is already bought and done). Thanks for the idea! Where did you get the stripped yarn that’s on the package?

  17. I love this! I am obsessed with paper straws! I just bought some red and green ones from Sweets & Treats Boutique online. Since I buy so many I try to find the best prices!! I just got them in and was going to use them for my party for Christmas but I think I will use some for this too! Thanks for posting!!

  18. Hi, found you when I googled “paper straws”. I work at Shop Sweet Lulu and love these straws. They are very popular. I just made a multi-colored paper straw garland for my Christmas tree and wanted to make some straw ornaments as well. Love the red star. Great idea!

  19. Hi, I wanted to chime in here and say thank you for sharing this fun project! I am pinning it to my paper straws pinboard!

    I recently opened up Delish General Store, an e-shop, and I carry a whole variety of paper straws including new heavy duty milkshake/smoothie straws, cocktail length, and gorgeous solid colors. These are popular, and for good reason.

    They’re biodegradable, compostable and completely food safe, to say nothing of being really cute and inspiring great crafts like yours here.

    Have fun, everyone!

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