Christmas Napkin Folds for 2025: Simple, Festive Ways to Dress Your Table

Christmas has a way of bringing back that childlike sense of wonder that delights in the tiniest details. That’s why folding napkins with rings for Christmas can feel especially enchanting. Shaping a napkin into a star, a tree, or sliding it through a shimmering napkin ring holder is a surefire way to spark delight. 

As you set the table, it creates a moment straight out of a Christmas storybook. In this holiday napkin folding guide, Kim Seybert shares timeless tips and fresh ideas on how to fold napkins with rings. You’ll also learn what to look for to select the best napkins, twinkling glassware, and holiday decorations to create Christmas tablescapes.

So let’s start this joyful season with playful, polished, whimsical ways to transform even the simplest Christmas napkin folds with a bit of holiday magic.

What You’ll Need for Christmas Napkin Folding

Before you can transform your Christmas table setting, it's important to gather the basic essentials to fold Christmas napkins, such as: 

1. Clean, well-pressed napkins for crisp lines and structure.
2. Holiday-themed napkin rings to introduce color, texture, and seasonal charm.
3. Optional accents like greenery sprigs, berry stems, or personalized place cards.
4. Holiday dinnerware and tabletop décor to complete the full tablescape. 

With these key components, even the simplest fold will look more polished to enhance your Christmas celebration.

Christmas Napkin Folding Step-by-Step With Images

Now for the fun part! These designer techniques will make it easy to fold napkins with rings, and dress them to impress at any holiday Christmas party. 

The Layered Tri-Fold

When styling napkins with embroidered details framing each corner, this fanned fold looks elegant without feeling overly complicated. The layering technique centers on the festive motifs as a highlight of your holiday place setting. 

Steps to the Layered Tri-Fold Napkin Style:

1. Start with an ironed napkin and fold in half into a triangle.
2. Fold the right corner toward the peak.
3. Repeat with the left corner.
4. Fold both corners again to create a second layer.
5. Slide into a napkin ring and place on your plate.
   

How to Elevate Festive Accents: 

Let your fold shine by pairing it with decorative accents that feel merry and bright.

Xmas Carol Napkin in White, Red & Green, Set of 4

A crisp linen napkin with holly embroidery that brings color and texture to your table. Dimensions: 21" x 21"

Xmas Carol Napkin Ring in Red, Green & Gold, Set of 4

A handcrafted ring accented with berries, gold-touched leaves, and petite poinsettias for a striking finishing detail.

The Holiday Bow

Leading decorators say bows are among the most popular tablescape trends this year. This fashionable fold is perfect with a napkin ring to wrap up your Christmas setting:

Steps to the Holiday Bow Fold: 

1. Start with an ironed napkin.
2. Fold opposite corners inward.
3. Fold toward the center.
4. Continue folding both sides until they meet.
5. Fold the top and bottom edges inward.
6. Add a napkin ring in the center to create the bow.
   

Tie Together the Look 

Bring some sparkle to the bow with festive linens and a sprinkle of holiday cheer.

Classic Napkins in Warm Tones, Set of 4 

A 100% linen napkin finished with a delicate border of embroidered stars for subtle texture and charm. Dimensions: 21" x 21" 

Gem Wreath Napkin Rings in Red, Green & Gold, Set of 4 

An embellished miniature wreath set atop a gold square ring, offering a jewel-toned accent to your table. Complete with a gift box. 

The Jolly Showstopper

While you may not want to literally fold a Christmas tree, this festive fold captures the full tiered effect of garlands and boughs of holly. Use napkins with an embroidered border to style this majestic, and maximalist look: 

Steps to the Jolly Showstopper Style: 

1. Fold the napkin in half.
2. Find the center and fold left.
3. Continue folding to create sharp creases.
4. Add a napkin ring and open the top slightly for shape.
   

What You Need for Flourishing Folds:

Let your festive fold take the spotlight by adding holiday cheer with luxe details. 

Xmas Ribbon Napkins, Set of 4

White linen napkins embroidered with red and green ribbon motifs that sweep gracefully across a crisp, timeless backdrop. Dimensions: 21" x 21"

Jingle Bells Napkin Rings in Green, Red & Gold, Set of 4

A festive napkin ring adorned with glass beads and multicolor bells in green, red, and gold, offering a soft, cheerful chime at the table.

The Wrapped Gift Fold

With clean lines and festive charm, this Christmas classic napkin fold makes each place setting is a thoughtfully wrapped moment for the guest. Pro-tip: tuck a small place card, holiday note, or menu for the full experience. 

Steps to the Wrapped Gift Fold: 

1. Lay the napkin flat.
2. Place a small box or filler item in the center.
3. Fold corners inward and tuck.
4. Bring the sides to the center.
5. Add a napkin ring and fluff the folds.
   

How to Style the Napkin Fold 

Add a dash of festive flair with these gems fit for the sparkling season:

Holiday Threads Napkin in Red, Green & Gold, Set of 4 

Crafted from 95% cotton with a hint of lurex for shimmer, this  classic red tartan enriched with gold embroidery for a warm, traditional tabletop layer. Dimensions: 21" x 21"

Dasher Napkin Rings in Brown & Multi, Set of 4 

A hand-painted reindeer napkin ring detailed in enamel and rhinestones for a playful, collectible accent.

Tips for Styling Your Christmas Table Setting

Choose holiday colors

Decide whether you’re going classic Christmas red and green, frosty winter whites, or a shimmering mixed-metal look. Repeat those merry hues throughout each choice of tableware. 

Match the napkin fold to the festive mood 

Elegant folds pair with fine china for formal dinner parties. Simpler folds or whimsical ones complement warmer table settings with friends and family.  

Layer like a party pro

Let luxurious textures stack up with a beaded placemat, metallic charger, porcelain dinnerware, then add your folded napkin at the end. 

Add Christmas accents 

Style each place setting with sprigs of holly, ornaments, candy canes, and other holiday accents. Bonus points for adding a celebratory napkin ring for a bit of jewelry at the table. 

Style ahead for simplicity

Most luxury napkins hold their shape beautifully when folded a day in advance. Setting the table early also gives you time for a final edit so everything looks pressed and ready for guests. 

For more ideas, this step-by-step guide on how to make a Christmas tablescape delivers holiday decor with designer tips. 

Holiday Table Add-Ons That Work With Any Fold

Every fold tells part of the holiday story, but adding new chapters keeps every guest on the edge of their seats. Whether you choose seasonal runners, decorative beaded coasters, or high-end glassware, there are endless ways to bring joy to the setting.  

Kim Seybert’s luxury decor blends effortlessly with any fold and helps create a polished, festive setting with minimal effort, from the classic, cozy tartan in Holiday Threads designs to the charming Xmas Carol medley, or the timeless Holiday Tailored Collection. 

Ending With a Warm, Holiday-Ready Look

By the time you’ve tried a few of these festive Christmas napkin folds, you’ll see how the smallest details can make anyone grow wide-eyed as children on Christmas morning. Adding beloved holiday napkin rings or mastering how to fold napkins with rings builds cherished memories while creating new traditions with a polished, grown-up elegance.

To continue this storybook charm through the rest of your table decor, browse Kim Seybert’s curated Christmas tablescapes, designer napkins, napkin holders, and holiday decorations that balance whimsy with modern sensibility. 

And there's no better time to start practicing the perfect napkin folds for entertaining throughout the year from folding Thanksgiving napkins and creative Easter napkin folds.