Book Update: I am still on the same book, but wanted to recommend to you “The Battle for Christmas” by Stephen Nissenbaum.
It is a well-researched history of Christmas in America. It is not commercialized, it is not driven by religion or those that might distort the history of Christmas for their propaganda, and it has many, many footnotes and references in order to find out where his sources originated. I keep seeing ads in my Facebook feed for a DVD that is a “history of Christmas in America” but I wonder if they would include the fact that Christmas was actually banned in America. You want to celebrate Christmas like it used to be? Get drunk and party. (This book was also nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Literature. So yes, it is that well-researched and well-written.)
Craft Update: I made these containers for my wedding reception favors about ten years ago. After a few tries, I remembered how to make them. This is the cheapest container I have ever made and probably one of the cutest. Since scrapbook paper already comes in squares, it is super simple to take a sheet or a book of sheets and make a bunch of them for small Christmas gifts, reception favors, party favors, etc.
If the photos are not doing it for you, there is a youtube video on how to make the origami canoe. It is very, very similar in construction to this project. Towards the end, it is different. But reference the video if you are having trouble.
Paper recommendation: I like scrapbook paper for this project because: 1. It is pretty, 2. It is cheap in large books of paper, 3. It is not too thin and not too thick. For the photos here, the “right side” is the green chevron pattern and the “wrong side” is plain white.
Don’t be bogged down by regular craft paper though! I found the prettiest wallpaper ever on clearance at the store which were my exact wedding colors. So, I cut the wallpaper up into squares and made these containers. Wallpaper is very sturdy, but still flexible enough for origami.
Process recommendation: As with all origami, make sure your creases are crisp and sharp. Press down with your thumbnail or folding bone.
Materials:
1 sheet of paper in the shape of a square (I like anywhere from 8-12″)
hole puncher
1/4″ ribbon – about 8″ long
scissors
Steps:
Let’s call this… Step 14 and a 1/2 🙂
