For Christmas, give the 3D Christmas Penguin (€8) to a teenager, the red and green Christmas candles (€3) to a child building with an adult, and the 62 cm Santa Claus (€12) to someone who enjoys a long project. Every model in our Christmas papercraft collection comes as a PDF to print at home, or with the sheets already printed in colour and delivered to your door. If you are unsure of their taste, a gift card lets the recipient choose their own model.
Updated on 11 October 2026
At a glance: the 20 gift ideas and their prices
| Gift idea | Price | Format | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red and green candles | €3 (instead of €4) | PDF or printed sheets | Easy | Child, with an adult |
| Small wall sea turtles | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Easy | Child, with an adult |
| Gingerbread man and woman | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Child, with an adult |
| Christmas penguin | €8 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Teenager |
| Christmas angel | €8 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Teenager |
| Polygonal 3D origami cat | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Advanced | Teenager |
| Deer head wall trophy | €10 | PDF or printed sheets | Expert | Adult who loves a challenge |
| Large Santa Claus | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Adult who loves a challenge |
| 3D origami Christmas wreath | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Advanced | Adult who loves a challenge |
| Santa stuck in the chimney | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Home decor lover |
| Three Christmas balls | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Home decor lover |
| Christmas nutcracker | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Home decor lover |
| Starry Night 3D artwork | €11 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Home decor lover |
| 3D origami snowman | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Home decor lover |
| Christmas reindeer | €8 | PDF or printed sheets | Advanced | Animal lover |
| Red panda on its branch | €10.50 (instead of €12) | PDF or printed sheets | Intermediate | Animal lover |
| Fox family | €12 | PDF or printed sheets | Advanced | Animal lover |
| Papercraft 3D gift card | $12 to $120 (custom amount from $6 to $240) | Card emailed on the date you choose, or A6 PDF to print | n/a | The undecided |
| Essential tool kit | €11 | Tool kit, shipped | n/a | Alongside a model |
| Illustrated gift box | €3 | Kraft box, shipped | n/a | Alongside a model |
Prices checked on 11 October 2026, in euros, the shop’s base currency. The English store displays them in US dollars, converted at the current exchange rate. Gift card amounts are set in US dollars in the English store.
How to give a papercraft model
When you buy a model, you receive a PDF file by email with the pattern to print at home and the assembly instructions. Since the file arrives in your inbox, the simplest way to give it is to print the pattern on thick paper (several product pages recommend at least 160 gsm) and hand over the sheets with the instructions.
On the model’s product page, you can add the printed sheets: the pattern already printed in colour on matte paper of at least 180 gsm, or on glossy paper, shipped to your home. Their price depends on the number of pages and a discount applies when you add them to the basket with the model. Add the illustrated kraft gift box and the essential papercraft tool kit, and the present is ready to give.
The Papercraft 3D gift card lets the recipient pick their own model: choose $12, $25, $35, $60 or $120, or any amount from $6 to $240. It is emailed on the date you choose or printed as an A6 PDF, and stays valid for 24 months. Orders of $69 or more ship free to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and most other European countries; shipping is charged elsewhere, including the UK, Canada and the US, and only applies to printed sheets and accessories.
For children: simple models to build with an adult
Start with a short project: two of these models are rated Easy and the third is a small step up. The red and green Christmas candles take about one hour to make, and the small wall sea turtles print on only 6 pages. Keep the precision knife on the adult’s side of the table.
Red and Green Christmas Papercraft Candles in 3D
Price: €3 (instead of €4) • Level: Easy • Size: 20 cm tall • Making time: about 1 h
A good first project for a child building with an adult: the set includes 2 candles, one red and one green, each made from 2 A4 pages. The level is Easy and the making time is about one hour. Once built, each candle stands about 20 cm tall with a faceted yellow flame, ready for a sideboard or the centre of the Christmas table.
3D Origami Papercraft of Small Wall Sea Turtles
Price: €12 • Level: Easy • Size: 17 cm tall
For a child who loves the sea, or a calm first project shared with an adult: the model is rated Easy and prints on 6 pages. Once assembled, the turtles hang on the wall and reach 17 cm tall, a soft ocean-themed decoration that is not tied to Christmas and can stay up all year.
3D origami papercraft gingerbread man and woman
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 35 cm wide
Two festive characters to build as a pair, a good choice for a family project where an adult guides a child through the Intermediate steps. The pattern has 11 pages for the man and 14 for the woman. Once finished, the couple can stand on a shelf or be mounted on the wall for the holidays.
For a teenager: Christmas figures with a modern look
A teenager will want a model that looks good on a desk or shelf once finished. The 3D Christmas penguin and the angel each take about 3 hours at Intermediate level, while the polygonal 3D origami cat is a longer Advanced build of 48 pieces.
3D Christmas Penguin Papercraft
Price: €8 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 32 cm tall • Making time: about 3 h
A cheerful choice for a teenager: an Intermediate model with a snug hat and a red scarf, printed on 12 pages and made in about 3 hours. Once built, the penguin stands 32 cm tall, large enough to be noticed on a desk, shelf or sideboard over the holidays.
3D Christmas Angel Papercraft
Price: €8 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 30 cm tall • Making time: about 3 h
For a teenager or adult who prefers a calm, elegant decoration: the angel holds a star under a golden halo, drawn in clean geometric shapes. It prints on 11 sheets, is rated Intermediate and takes about 3 hours. Finished, it stands 30 cm tall on a sideboard or windowsill.
3D Origami Cat Papercraft
Price: €12 • Level: Advanced • Size: 48 cm tall
For a teenager or adult ready for a longer project: 18 pages and 48 pieces at Advanced level. Once assembled, the polygonal cat stands 48 cm tall, a bold graphic sculpture for a bedroom or living room that is not tied to Christmas, so it can stay on display all year.
For a creative adult who loves a challenge
For someone who already knows paper, choose a large model with plenty of pages. The 3D origami deer head is the only Expert model in this guide and reaches 60 cm, the 62 cm Santa Claus runs to 33 pages, and the Christmas wreath has 50 pieces.
3D Origami Papercraft Deer Head
Price: €10 • Level: Expert • Size: 60 cm tall
For an experienced papercrafter who wants a real challenge: the deer head is rated Expert, the highest level in this guide. It prints on 13 pages and, once finished, measures 60 cm high and 63.8 cm wide, a faceted wall trophy that turns a plain wall into a focal point.
3D Origami Papercraft Santa Claus
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 62 cm tall
For a patient maker who wants a big Christmas project: the pattern runs to 33 pages with detailed instructions, at Intermediate level. Once assembled, this Santa Claus stands 62 cm tall and 46.4 cm wide, one of the tallest models in this guide and an impressive presence in a living room.
Origami Papercraft Christmas Wreath
Price: €12 • Level: Advanced • Size: 39 cm tall
For someone already comfortable with paper: the wreath is rated Advanced and has 50 pieces, with a choice of A4 PDF (11 pages) or A3 PDF (6 pages). Once built, it measures about 39 by 37 cm and only 3.6 cm deep, a slim relief that sits close to the wall.
For a home decor lover
These five models are made to be displayed, not just assembled. Three hang on the wall: the Santa stuck in the chimney, the three Christmas balls and the Starry Night papercraft artwork, which can stay up long after the holidays. The nutcracker (58 cm) and the snowman (40 cm) are tall standalone pieces for a shelf or sideboard.
Santa Stuck in the Chimney
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 60 cm tall
For someone with a sense of humour: Santa is caught halfway down the chimney, a low poly wall decoration that brings smiles. The pattern has 25 pages to print in A4 or US Letter, at Intermediate level. Finished, it measures 60 cm tall, a festive statement for a living room or entryway.
Origami Christmas Ball Papercraft
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 29 cm tall
For a decor lover who wants the festive spirit to reach beyond the tree: the set includes three wall-mounted Christmas balls with graphic patterns. Each ball uses 6 to 8 sheets, about 21 pages in total, at Intermediate level. The finished model measures 29 cm tall, with generous volumes that catch the light.
Christmas Nutcracker Papercraft Origami
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 58 cm tall
For someone who loves traditional Christmas decor: the nutcracker stands upright and proud, with black and gold colour areas. It has 56 pieces on 18 A4 pages or 9 A3 pages, at Intermediate level. Once built, it stands 58 cm tall, enough to act as a centrepiece in a hallway or living room.
Starry Night - 3D papercraft artwork inspired by Van Gogh
Price: €11 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 45 cm tall • Making time: about 4 h
For an art lover more than a Christmas fan: Van Gogh’s painting becomes a relief wall artwork whose facets catch the light. It takes 23 A4 sheets and about 4 hours at Intermediate level. Finished, it measures 45 by 35 cm and 7.7 cm deep, and it stays on the wall long after the holidays.
Origami papercraft snowman
Price: €12 • Level: Intermediate • Size: 40 cm tall
For someone who loves winter decor: this snowman will not melt and comes back out every December. It has 19 pages at Intermediate level. Once assembled, it measures 40 cm tall, 24.8 cm wide and 26.9 cm deep, a sculptural winter piece for a shelf, sideboard or mantelpiece.
For an animal lover
Pick the animal according to how long it should stay on display. The 3D Christmas reindeer is a festive sculpture for the season, while the red panda on its branch and the fox family are not tied to Christmas and can stay up all year.
3D Papercraft Christmas Reindeer
Price: €8 • Level: Advanced • Size: 30 cm tall • Making time: about 3 h
For an animal lover who also enjoys Christmas: the reindeer has an endearing muzzle and a proud stance. It prints on 13 sheets, is rated Advanced and takes about 3 hours. Once built, it stands 30 cm tall, a festive sculpture to place on a sideboard or under the tree.
3D origami red panda wall papercraft on its branch
Price: €10.50 (instead of €12) • Level: Intermediate • Size: 61.5 cm tall
For a fan of red pandas or of original wall decor: the animal sits on its branch with a curious, mischievous look. The pattern has 24 pages, 16 for the panda and 8 for the branch, at Intermediate level. Finished, it reaches 61.5 cm tall and stays on display well beyond Christmas.
Origami papercraft fox family
Price: €12 • Level: Advanced • Size: 62 cm tall
For an animal lover who enjoys a long, calm project: a mother fox with her cub nestled close, at Advanced level. You can print the 20-page full-colour version, or the 21-page no-fill version on coloured paper. Once completed, the scene measures 62 by 50 cm, a forest decoration that suits the home all year.
Add-ons and the gift card
Three add-ons complete a model, or replace it when you are not sure what to choose. The essential tool kit gathers glue, a brush, a bone folder, a precision knife and a steel ruler, the illustrated kraft box presents the gift, and the gift card leaves the choice to the recipient.
Papercraft 3D Gift Card
Price: $12 to $120 (custom amount from $6 to $240)
For someone whose taste you do not know: the recipient picks any model from more than 1,300 papercrafts and pays with their code. The card arrives by email on the date you choose, or as an A6 card you print yourself. The balance can be spent over several orders within 24 months.
Essential equipment kit (glue, folding knife, ruler, paper cutter)
Price: €11
For a beginner who does not have the tools yet, or a regular maker who wants a set close at hand: fast-setting white glue, a brush, a bone folder, a precision knife and a stainless steel ruler. The glue allows a clean assembly with no marks, and the ruler and bone folder give sharp folds.
Model packaging shown
Price: €3
For anyone handing over a model in person: a rigid box in durable kraft paper with an illustrated band showing the model. It measures 20 by 15 by 10 cm and is ready to give, so the present is unwrapped like a real parcel on Christmas morning.
Frequently asked questions
Which papercraft model should I give a beginner?
Choose an Easy model with few pages. The red and green Christmas candles (€3, about one hour) and the small wall sea turtles (€12, 6 pages) are the two Easy models in this guide. For a slightly bigger first step, the penguin and the angel (€8 each, Intermediate) take about 3 hours.
How do I give a model sold as a PDF?
After purchase, you receive the PDF by email with the pattern and the assembly instructions. You can print it yourself on thick paper and give the sheets, or add the printed sheets from the product page and receive them at home, ready to wrap. The illustrated kraft gift box makes the present ready to hand over.
What is the difference between the PDF and the printed sheets?
The PDF is a file you print at home, so nothing is shipped. The printed sheets are the same pattern already printed in colour on matte paper of at least 180 gsm, or on glossy paper, and shipped to your home. Their price depends on the number of pages and is shown on each product page, with a discount when you add them to the basket together with the model.
What do I need to assemble a papercraft model?
You need the printed pattern, glue, a cutting tool, a ruler and something to score the folds. The essential papercraft tool kit gathers fast-setting white glue, a brush, a bone folder, a precision knife and a stainless steel ruler. If you print at home, several product pages recommend paper of at least 160 gsm.
How does the Papercraft 3D gift card work?
Pick a preset amount of $12, $25, $35, $60 or $120, or a custom amount from $6 to $240, and add your message. The card is emailed to the recipient on the date you choose, or you print it as an A6 PDF. It is valid for 24 months on the whole catalogue except other gift cards, and the remaining balance can be used over several orders.
How much does shipping cost?
A PDF is never shipped, so a model bought as a file has no shipping cost. Shipping only applies to printed sheets and accessories, and it is free on orders of $69 or more to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and most other European countries. It is charged elsewhere, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
What budget should I plan for a papercraft Christmas gift?
The budget depends on the size of the project: the candles are the most affordable model in this guide, the penguin, angel and reindeer sit in the middle, and big projects such as the Santa Claus or the fox family cost the most. Each card above and each product page shows the price in your store currency. Add the printed sheets if you do not want to print, the tool kit if the recipient has no tools, and the gift box.
Choose by the person: an Easy model for a child with an adult, a 3-hour figure for a teenager, a large or Expert model for a seasoned maker, and the gift card when in doubt. Browse the full Christmas papercraft collection to see every festive model before you order.
To decorate your own home rather than give a gift, the Christmas papercraft decorations guide covers the models to build for the holidays. For a birthday or another occasion, see the papercraft gift ideas by age and budget.
