Giant 3D Paper Snowflake Decorations from Paper Bags

If you are looking for ideas to create a magical winter wonderland, try these giant 3D paper snowflake decorations!

These lighted big 3D paper snowflakes look gorgeous for the holidays, or any time of year when you want a little something special!

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Made from simple paper bags or just plain white office paper, they are so easy to make.
I will share the free templates of all three snowflake patterns for you to download.

See form below to download free designs & lots more goodies:

*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

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Materials and tools to make 3D paper snowflake decorations:

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Below is a video to show you how the paper snowflakes magically open!

Step 1: Make some “paper bags” using office paper. (Skip this step if you are using paper bags.)

I have included fold and glue lines in the templates at the end.

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This step is pretty simple: make some paper bags by folding a piece of 8.5″x11″ and gluing the sides first.

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The bottom does not need to be glued all the way, just a little dab at the center.

Fold each “bag” in half and glue a stack of them ( blue lines showing where to apply glue). I prefer to glue together 3 at a time for easy cutting. Each snowflake will need 8 to 9 “bags”.

If you like the idea of making simple things extraordinary, check out these 16 inspiring and beautiful gift wrapping hacks.

16 inspiring gift wrapping hacks on how to make instant gift bags and beautiful gift wraps in minutes, using re-purposed materials for almost free! - A Piece Of Rainbow

Step 2: Fold and cut your 3D paper snowflake decorations .

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You can print or  trace the patterns from my templates, or invent your own designs!

After cutting three stack of  paper bags, glue them together to form a snowflake.

Leave an opening so the snowflake can be stored closed.

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Here is a little secret on how to hold a snowflake together without gluing so they can be stored flat-

Step 3: add lights to your 3D paper snowflake decorations

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I used white paper clips to hold the two ends of a snowflake together and it worked like a charm!

Add clear fishing lines for hanging, and of course – LED fairy lights !

IMPORTANT: please follow basic safety practices when using string lights. Only use good quality products specific for indoor or outdoor conditions, and choose low heat LED lights when using near paper. Always turn off lights before leaving your home or going to bed.

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See form below to download free designs & lots more goodies:

Here is the free 5-page templates to download:

You may also like these simple and easy lighting ideas: 28 Stunning outdoor lighting DIY projects

Amazing collection of 28 stunning yet easy DIY outdoor lights! Most can be made in 1 hour, with up-cycled or common materials. So creative and beautiful! - A Piece Of Rainbow

Or 18 creative and magical ways to use LED string lights.

18 magical ways to use string lights to add warmth and beauty to your home: great ideas for holiday decorations and everyday cheer! - A Piece Of Rainbow

And a holiday favorite: Alternative Christmas trees that are not trees.

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Happy creating! =)

54 Comments

  1. Hi,
    I’m trying to download the instructions and templates for the giant snowflakes but the link doesn’t appear to be working.

  2. Just made these 3D snowflakes this weekend, they turned out so beautiful! Thank you so much for this wonderful winter and Christmas craft idea!

  3. Hi, I am going to be making the paper bags from printer paper. I have tried the instructions but I’m getting a bit confused!
    Are the bags made from one or two sheets?
    I have downloaded the templates and printed them out. Are they to be folded in half to fit the bags? (Just so you know when printed out, they are very faint)
    Could you tell me what the finished folded width should be and also does it make a difference as to which folded side gets cut?

    They are beautiful and I would love to be able to make them correctly

    Thank you from Bonnie Scotland!

    • hi tracy, each bag is made from one sheet, the lines are light because after you print you can fold and cut the same sheet, if any trcace of the lines are left they won’t show much. 🙂

  4. Hi, Ananda, I subscribed for a long time for your newsletter, but I missed the weekly link
    for the giant snowflakes. They are soooo pretty… I want to craft them for Cristmas to
    hang them into my windows. Is ist possible for me to load the template now? Best greetings from Germany, Clementine

  5. I really want to make this for my school concert stage decorations and yours are by far the best out there but I cannot download the templates!! I click the yellow box and enter my email and it just takes me back to the start of the page but no templates…. any help???

  6. I love these Giant Snowflake Pendants! You’re a genius! I would very much appreciate the download link if it is still available. Thank you so very much! Judy I have no website at this time. Just don’t have the time to maintain one. 🙁

  7. Hi there

    Absolutely lovely goodies. Will be trying them out in December.
    Unable to download templates of snowflakes and 3d lanterns – any special place
    to register before receiving?

    • hi jennfer! this piece is from a japanese pianist and i could not figure out the name! but if you like it, you will find similar ones by Ernesto Cortazar on YouTube =)

  8. I love your site and love these decorations, will try my hand at them tomorrow.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you for all you give to us

    • hi linda, did you click the yellow button and enter your email? got any email from us in your spam mail at all? or are you having trouble with the link in our email ?

  9. Beautiful and simple…your site is a must visit this time of the year…will be trying one or two of the outdoor lights ideas, too BTW, Ananda, I may not have mentioned this to you– I tried infusing olive oil with rosemary, like you showed…and it worked beautifully. Thank you:)
    Wish you a happy time leading up to Christmas. xx

  10. I keep trying to click the link for the templates but it just reloads the same page. Where can I get the templates?

    • You may have to try different devices. What works on pc or mac doesn’t always work on tablet, pad or cellphones.

    • If you are having trouble downloading templates, on the link that says to download, right click it and tell it to open in new window. It worked for me and I have been trying for 3 days to get them. These are so cool. I hope this helps others to get them.

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