Crafting a Cute Turkey Napkin for Your Holiday Table

Want to add a fun, festive touch to your Thanksgiving table this year? Crafting simple yet adorable turkey napkin figures is an easy way to bring some playful holiday spirit to your dinner. In this article, I’ll walk you through the quick and easy steps for transforming basic napkins into too-cute turkey decor.

Why Make Turkey Napkin Figures?

Napkin turkeys are a fun project for a few reasons

• Easy and quick – These napkin fold crafts come together in just a few minutes No complex origami skills needed!

• Interactive – Kids will have a blast folding their own napkins into turkeys at the table.

• Festive flair – The handmade turkeys add personality and seasonal charm to your tablescape.

• Conversation starter – They make for lighthearted table topics around the Thanksgiving meal,

• Affordable – All you need are basic paper napkins, no other materials required.

• Adaptable – Make as few or as many turkey napkins as you need for your holiday dinner.

Below I’ll outline a simple folding method using basic square dinner napkins. With just a few strategic folds, you’ll have a feathered flock of napkin turkeys ready to adorn your table.

Supplies Needed

Luckily, napkin turkeys require minimal supplies – just standard paper dinner napkins. I recommend using:

• Square napkins for the easiest folding. Rectangular can work too.

• Unbleached white or solid fall colors like orange, brown or yellow.

• Sturdy but pliable paper material. Avoid thin or slippery napkins.

• Dinner or luncheon size napkins. Around 12-16 inches square.

• Enough napkins for each table setting, plus a few extra.

Optional extras like googly eyes, pom poms or foam beaks can add personality too!

Step-By-Step Folding Instructions

Follow these simple steps to easily fold basic square napkins into shaped turkeys:

1. Start with a Square Napkin

Begin with a single square dinner napkin laid flat in front of you. Smooth any wrinkles. An ironed napkin will fold crisper but is not essential.

2. Fold the Napkin in Half

Fold the napkin in half diagonally to make a triangle shape. Unfold and repeat this diagonal fold on the opposite corners.

3. Fold the Wings Inward

Fold the right corner diagonally into the center, lining up the edges. Repeat on the left side, forming two “wings”.

4. Fold the Body

Fold the napkin in half downward to shape the turkey’s body. Run a finger along the edge to define the fold.

5. Form the Head

Grasp the top folded edge and pull it down a bit to create a beak shape for the head.

6. Fluff & Shape

Gently form the wings, body and tail. Fluff the bottom edges into feathers. Add any desired embellishments!

And just like that, you have a darling diamond-folded turkey napkin for your holiday table! Continue folding more napkins until you have your desired flock.

Napkin Folding Tips & Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and variations for successfully folding napkin turkeys:

• Play around with different ways of shaping the head/beak area. Pinching works well.

• For stability, fold over an ironed edge rather than a raw fabric edge when possible.

• For a more rounded body shape, fold the sides of the triangle into the center before folding down.

• Embellish your turkeys with ribbon tails, googly eyes, pom pom feathers or an orange foam beak.

• Make a tom turkey by folding a red napkin neck wattle at the throat.

• Vary the size by folding luncheon, cocktail or even larger napkins.

• Refold any napkins that guests unfold to maintain the flock all meal long.

• For kids, write names on the back side of blank napkins so each child has their own to fold.

Getting Creative with Your Napkin Turkeys

Beyond just plain white turkeys, get creative with napkin patterns, fabrics, sizes and embellishments:

• Choose napkins with fall prints like leaves, paisleys or plaids.

• Opt for colored cloth napkins rather than paper ones.

• Embellish with scrapbook paper, rick rack, raffia, buttons and more.

• Make larger shaped turkeys by folding scarves or bandanas instead.

• Mix and match shapes by folding some napkins into circles or fans.

• Print or draw designs, words or images on plain napkins before folding.

• Shape napkin rings from strips of cardboard, felt or burlap to corral your turkeys.

The fun options are endless when crafting napkin turkeys! Take inspiration from nature, traditional motifs, children’s drawings or your own unique ideas.

Involving Kids in Napkin Folding

Crafting napkin turkeys is a fun and simple way to get kids engaged with Thanksgiving table decorating. Here are some tips:

• Have kids fold their own designated napkin once seated at the table.

• Print out step-by-step image instructions for easy visual reference.

• Guide younger kids through each folding step hands-on.

• Let kids draw or color designs on plain napkins before shaping them.

• Provide pens, pom poms, fabric glue and other embellishments for decorating.

• Challenge older kids to shape turkeys from memory after learning the folds.

• Time an informal family napkin folding race at the table!

Turn napkin folding into quality time spent together rather than just a chore. The whole family will love this hands-on holiday activity.

Ways to Display Your Turkey Napkin Flock

Once folded, there are many creative ways to display your shaped napkins:

• Line the turkeys up flat or standing in a row down the center of the table.

• Cluster into groups or families, with larger and smaller turkeys.

• Nestle them around tablescape items like candles, pumpkins or flower arrangements.

• Alternate with other folded napkin shapes like pumpkins, leaves or flowers.

• Stack or cluster the turkey napkins inside a basket, bowl or napkin holder.

• Scatter down the table for a free-spirited flock rather than uniform placement.

• Use napkin rings to corral the turkeys and keep them upright.

• Attach notes of thanks under each turkey’s beak for guests to discover.

However you choose to present your turkey troupe, they’re sure to bring a smile to guests’ faces this Thanksgiving!

I hope these simple instructions have inspired you to fold up some festive napkin turkeys to embellish your holiday table this season. With just a few basic techniques and no special skills required, anyone can craft up these charming creations. Let your imagination run wild when embellishing and displaying your handmade turkeys. Most importantly, have fun with it! Crafting together fosters family bonding. Creating and sharing these whimsical napkins will make your Thanksgiving traditions even more meaningful.