How to Fold a Napkin in 13 Beautiful Ways (2025)

It's a good idea to starch and iron your napkins before folding them; this helps them to retain their shape.

How to Set the Table for Any Type of Gathering, From Casual to Formal

Christmas Tree Napkin Fold

Make things merry at your holiday table with a tabletop tannenbaum. This one—with its upturned folds resembling evergreen boughs—is topped with a star "topper" that serves as the place card.

1. Fold a square napkin in half, and then again, so it's a quarter of its original size. Turn the napkin to a diamond position with the open corners facing you, then fold each corner up, starting with the top fold, in a descending row.
2. Flip over, fold into thirds, and flip over again. Turn the top flap up, and continue with the next flap below by tucking it into the flap above, creating the rows of Christmas tree branches.
3. After the fourth row, tuck the remaining layer under the napkin.

Bow Tie Napkin Fold

Here, a pretty bow adds playfulness to the table.

1. Spread a dinner napkin out, lying flat.
2. Fold opposite sides in so they meet at the center. Then fold horizontally again at the center to form a narrow, ribbon-like shape. Next, fold short ends in so they meet at the center.
3. Cinch in the middle with a ribbon in a coordinating color, and glue at the back.

Angled Pocket Napkin Fold

This is as easy as one, two, three: Start with a square dinner napkin and give it a three-way fold for an elegant angled pocket. It's handy for tucking flatware, a place card, or a printed menu.

Wrapped Napkin Fold

Fold a napkin in thirds, wrap it around the plate, and tuck the ends under—you're done! Pair a botanical accent, like a faux or dried branch spray-painted gold, with an unfussy band for the ultimate finishing touch.

Four-Leaf Clover Napkin Fold

On St. Patrick's Day, green isn't limited to shamrocks and leprechauns. At your epic spread, fold these four-leaf clover napkins.

1. Fold each corner of a square napkin into the center, creating a smaller square, and then fold corners in again into the center.
2. Flip over and fold each corner to meet in the center. While a finger holds down the center of the napkin, fluff out the bottom of each corner, creating each clover leaf.
3. For a finishing touch, anchor the center of each napkin with a St. Patrick’s Day-themed trinket.

Easter Bunny Napkin Fold

Some magicians pull rabbits out of hats; others conjure them from the linen closet. Do a little sleight of hand (with our how-to) and—presto—you've whipped up a stylish Easter tabletop that lets guests know they're somebunny special.

1. First, fold a napkin into thirds. Then, fold the lower corners up to meet in the center, creating a paper airplane shape.
2. Flip over the napkin so the seam faces the table. Fold in the outer edges to meet in the center.
3. Place an egg on the pointed tip, tie "ears" above it with ribbon, and nestle the egg into place.

Carrot Napkin Fold

At the table for Martha's Easter brunch, crepe-paper leaves sprout from napkins rolled to resemble purple carrots.

1. To recreate the look, fold a square napkin in half, then in half again, forming a smaller square. Roll the napkin into a narrow cone and tuck in the ends.
2. Use our template to cut out leaf shapes from green crepe paper. Roll and tuck them into the open end.

Turkey Napkin Fold

For a Thanksgiving feast, this triple-napkin turkey with a fanning tail makes a bold statement from the moment your guests sit at the table.

For the turkey body:

1. Fold just the top two corners into the center, then twice more, making a narrow triangle.
2. Fold the pointed top back, folding the napkin in half, then fold the tip back, making the turkey head, and set aside.

For the feathers:

1. Create two rows with two different-sized napkins folded in the same way. Fold the napkin in half lengthwise, then fold accordion style from the shorter end, leaving three inches at the end unfolded.
2. Flip over, fold in half, and then fold and tuck the flat end into the middle accordion.
3. Fan out and stack each feather napkin on the turkey body, with the neck and head arranged upright.
   

Dinner Roll Napkin Fold

Some holiday parties require every serving dish you own—and then some. Improvise a bread basket with a large rectangular cloth napkin or dish towel, preferably starched linen (the stiffer the fabric, the better it will hold its shape).

1. Lay the fabric horizontally on a table. Fold the longer side up, slightly more than halfway. Fold the top half down in the same way, so the two edges overlap by an inch.
2. Turn it over, and fold the shorter sides in to meet. For extra security, pin in place.
3. Flip over again, and place rolls or a sliced loaf into the opening.

Envelope Napkin Fold

Simple yet sophisticated, this design is perfect for sealing a printed menu, a party favor, or... who knows? It's up to you. Lift the flap secured with a wax seal featuring the family initially, and your guests will be impressed with a hidden surprise.

To fold a square napkin envelope-style, fold it into a triangle, tuck in both pointed ends twice, then tuck in the top flap.

Lotus Napkin Fold

Create a beautiful, botanical moment with napkins folded in the shape of lotus flowers. The lotus napkin fold makes a pretty backdrop to a roll, party favor, or flower.

1. Fold each corner of a square napkin into the center, creating a smaller square.
2. Flip over and fold each corner into the center.
3. While a finger holds down the center of the napkin, pull up the flap from underneath at each corner to create the lotus petals.
   

Bunny Ears Napkin Fold

Here's another cute take on an Easter bunny napkin fold: For bunny ears that stand upright on your holiday place settings, try this adorable napkin fold using well-starched napkins for best results.

1. Form a rectangle by folding the napkin in thirds, then create a centerline by folding it in half just to create a crease for reference.
2. Fold corners down along the center line, then fold up from the bottom corners along the center. Fold the left and right edges into the center.
3. Flip upside down and over, then turn up the bottom point.
4. To fasten, tuck one corner into the pocket of the other and pull out bunny ears.
   

Flower Vase Napkin Fold

A mini vase full of hand-picked flowers makes a pretty garden party favor that's also functional when wrapped with a napkin.

1. Fold a square napkin in half, fold the top right corner into the center, and do the same with the opposite corner, so they meet in the middle.
2. Flip over, and fold the front-facing half of the napkin up, leaving the left flap unfolded.
3. Reach underneath the napkin and unfold the right fold so it lays flat, then roll the napkin around a small vase, tuck in the napkin end to secure, and fold down the top corners along the vase’s edge.
4. Fill the vase with water and add a mix of flowers to arrange a petite bouquet.

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