6 paper Christmas ornaments with original project instructions

A five-point star with forked rays belongs at the top; a conical bell and open-mesh pocket hang below. An orange tissue chrysanthemum stands upright, while a layered medallion hangs flat and a paper candle straddles a branch.

All six projects come from Lina Beard and Adelia B. Beard’s 1910 Little Folks’ Handy Book. These are historical instructions, and Hearth & Petals has not built or tested them. Choose the finished form here, then open its exact Commons scan page for the complete illustrated method.

The Beards cut the five-point base from cardboard and cover it with gilt paper. Ten forked broom straws become rays, each ending in small gilt-paper triangles.

A rolled writing-paper tube behind the lower points forms the stem, so this project belongs at the top of the tree. Fig. 184 opens on the linked scan; directions run across printed pages 107–109.

The historical method curves gilt or colored paper into a cone and pastes its side seam. Two paper circles enclose the string to make the clapper, and the same string passes through the cone’s point.

This is the hanging choice with the most visible movement: the book leaves enough string for the bell to sway below a branch. Fig. 189 opens on the linked scan; the full historical directions run across printed pages 109–112.

The Beards fold a strip of white tissue and cut alternating slits from opposite sides. When opened and gently pulled, the cuts expand into mesh; the top and bottom are gathered into points.

A small gilt-paper star hangs inside, and a tissue-paper loop carries the finished pocket. Choose it for the airiest texture in the set. Fig. 196 opens on the linked scan; the full historical directions run across printed pages 112–113.

Two fringed circles come from folded bright-orange tissue, then are layered, pinched and twisted at the center. Their gathered point is pasted into the wide end of a rolled writing-paper stem.

This flower stands upright instead of hanging: the 1910 direction runs a pin through its stem into a small branch. Fig. 208 opens on the linked scan; the full historical directions run across printed pages 116–118.

The Beards paste a light-blue ribbon loop to a white paper disc, then cover both faces with fringed pink tissue. Six fringed gilt triangles, smaller blue and pink circles, and an eight-point gilt star build the layered surface.

Choose this for a flat ornament whose interest comes from color, fringe and concentric layers. Fig. 210 opens on the linked scan; the full historical directions run across printed pages 119–120.

The Beards roll the paper body around a pencil, paste the overlap and cut two opposing notches at the bottom. Those notches let the hollow cylinder sit astride a branch.

The paper wick and orange tissue flame are decorative and must remain unlit. The book warns that gas flame, candle or fire should not come near the paper-decked tree. Fig. 213 opens on the linked scan; the full historical directions run across printed pages 121–123.