20 Best Napkin Folding Ideas to Set Your Table

This will make such a good impression on your guests!

If you want to make a holiday dinner just a bit more festive, all you need to know is how to set a table. Well, you should also probably come up with a delicious Thanksgiving menu or Christmas menu, too. After all, the food is really the star of the show! Traditionally, a beautiful tablescape includes DIY centerpieces, a well-ironed tablecloth, and your best dinnerware (such as pretty plates and gravy boats), but it's the details that really make a difference. Each guest will be seated at the table with their own place setting that includes a placemat, a set of flatware, and a well-folded napkin.

Speaking of napkins, there is so much you can do with napkin folding—it's essentially the bow on top of the whole tablescape! If you're wondering how exactly to make that happen, just read on. We've found shapes that are on-theme for every holiday of the year, including Thanksgiving. For the biggest feast of the season, try napkin folding ideas like turkeys and leaves. For Christmas, a pointed star napkin fold is fitting. As for Easter and spring, you can fold a napkin into a bouquet of flowers (written with each guest's name). Otherwise, try a pretty napkin folding technique like a pocket that's perfect for any dinner party! Some of these napkin folding tutorials also come with ideas for place cards, if you decide to assign seats at the table. And don't worry if you're not an origami expert—many of these double as fun kids' crafts, too. It's amazing what you can do with a single napkin.

We're knot exaggerating, we think this knotted napkin is just perfect for any and all of your upcoming events! After you tie your napkin, you can accessorize with anything from DIY pom-poms (as seen here) to ribbon and greenery.

Get the tutorial at Oh So Beautiful Paper.

SHOP POM POMS

Sunflowers are Ree's favorite flower for a reason: They're so bright and beautiful! With this step-by-step tutorial, you can easily add their vibrant charm right to your tablescape... and they'll never wilt!

Get the tutorial at Meaningful Mama.

Effortless yet so elegant, we're loving the look of these runner napkins with a perfectly imperfect fold. Each napkin looks a bit different with mismatched edges and abstract overlays. We promise, anyone can do this one!

Get the tutorial at Lemon Thistle.

Your guests will feel oh-so-royal with this folded crown napkin on their placemat. Choose the napkin color of your choice then work on perfecting the eye-catching shape. It's a go-to for the holiday season!

Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.

If you want to break out some pretty napkin rings, this is the fold for you! A classic looped napkin will look so elegant when held together at the center by a napkin ring. Make a statement with a gold style or copy this natural look with a faux plant.

Get the tutorial at The Turquoise Home.

SHOP NAPKIN RINGS

Simple, festive, and fragrant. This single-pocket napkin fold has just five steps and looks beautiful with a rosemary placard tucked inside.

Get the tutorial at Spoon Fork Bacon.

How pretty are these big bowties! These clay napkin rings are a gorgeous neutral element to add to your Dinner table, and they make instant bows out of your napkins! Simply fold the napkin in half or thirds, and slip it through. You may have to use your fingers to indent the two creases, as seen here.

See more at The Merrythought.

How pretty is this leaf napkin! Stand it up on your plate to give the tablescape décor differentiated levels. This fold will look best with yellow, red, orange, and brown napkins.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

O Christmas tree, o christmas tree! This napkin fold looks complicated, but it's actually easy to replicate the look of a tree's tiered boughs with a few tucked corners.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.

Make each individual at your table feel extra special with their own rose. Cloth napkins definitely work best for this fold, and you’ll want to iron them beforehand to get the wrinkles out.

Get the tutorial at Chrissy Marie.

SHOP WHITE CLOTH NAPKINS

It doesn't get more festive than this adorable turkey! The fold uses a straightforward technique to create the tail, which you then pair with your card stock turkey. It also doubles as a cute kids' craft!

Get the tutorial at The Homes I Have Made.

Much like a table runner, this fold creates a smooth line down the center of your place setting. Lay out the napkin flat and imagine it divided into three distinct vertical sections—two outer and one inner. Fold the two outer thirds over the middle. Lay it over your plates, tuck a small portion of the top under, and place a bowl on top!

See more at Inspired by Charm.

Bring a bit of floral delight to your thanksgiving table with these pretty bouquets! The flower’s leaves double as place cards for each guest’s name. This blogger crafts a daffodil for her bouquets, but you can also substitute more autumnal blooms like mums or daisies.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

A simple fold can go a long way. Slip the knife, fork, and spook into the three pockets in this napkin for a sleek and modern presentation.

Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.

In just eight steps (and with the help of a rubber band) you can fold and wrap your napkins into beautiful little bows! While this blogger uses this bow fold for brunch, it will also look lovely on a holiday dinner table.

Get the tutorial at Randi Garrett Design.

SHOP RUBBER BANDS

Okay, this is less of a "fold" and more of a roll but it's still perfect for Thanksgiving! Fold your napkin in half and roll it into a cylinder, then slip it into one of these pretty autumnal rings.

Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade.

Bowties are probably the easiest napkin fold you can find—just accordion fold the napkin and pinch the center! These are perfect if you want to show off your festive napkin rings.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

A big meal can call for two napkins—even if one is only decorative! This blogger places a leaf fold on top of the side plate. On the main dish, they fold a cloth napkin in half, then fold the top third down so just the bottom third hangs over the edge of the plate.

See more at Inspired by Charm.

Make the tablescape really shine with some star napkins. Your guests won’t even want to unfold their individual art pieces!

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Call to mind the journey across the sea the pilgrims made with a nifty napkin boat. This fold is great because you can set utensils, small treats, and other items inside the napkin.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

SHOP NAPKIN HOLDERS

Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.

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