Sight loss resources Wellbeing and hobbies

Making paper snowflakes with low vision

Published on 20 Nov 2024

Capture the magic of Christmas with your very own homemade paper snowflakes.

Making paper snowflakes is a wonderful way to get yourself in the festive spirit - and all you need is paper and scissors.

This guide has been adapted for people with low vision. For more sight loss tips on crafting, see our guide Tips for crafting for the vision impaired.

What you need

A square piece of paper (if you only have A4 simply fold one corner to meet the opposite edge and cut off the excess rectangle)
Scissors

How to prepare

Thinking about the following before you get started will help make your experience much easier and more relaxing.

Position your lighting

Task lighting aimed at your work is crucial for most people with even mild sight loss, but be careful that it’s not directed at your eyes or too close as you may have trouble with glare.

Try a magnifier

Using sight loss aids like magnifiers can make all the difference for some, but it's often a case of trying them out and finding what works best for you. If you do try a handheld magnifier, it can help to use a double-ended clamp to hold it steady while you work.

Contrast your colours

Think about contrasting colours. For example, working on a light-coloured board might make it easier to see your materials. The best colours for contrast can be down to individual taste and could also depend on the materials you’re using.

Clear the clutter

Clear your workspace from clutter and lay out your materials so you can find them easily. Read through the instructions before you start and keep your scissors closed when not in use.

Making your paper snowflake

Step 1

Starting with your square piece of paper, turn it into a triangle by taking a corner of the paper to the opposite corner and folding.

A person’s hands resting on a dark table. They are folding a piece of paper diagonally into a triangle, which is the first step in creating a paper snowflake. One hand is holding the paper steady, while the other is positioned nearby, ready to assist with the fold.

Step 2

Now make a much smaller triangle by taking a corner to the opposite corner and folding, and then doing this again to make it even smaller.

The image shows a person folding a triangle made from paper into a smaller triangle. One hand is holding the paper steady on the table, while the other hand is folding one corner over to create the new shape.

Step 3

Now take one side and fold just one third of the way in, and do the same on the other side.

The image shows a person folding one side of a small paper triangle inward by approximately one-third of the way. Their fingers are carefully holding the paper in place while shaping the fold, preparing to repeat the same on the other side.

Step 4

You should now have a thin triangle with two points at the top. Cut off the points so you are just left with the thin triangle.

The image shows a person holding a folded triangle of paper in one hand and using scissors in the other hand to cut off the pointed ends. This step prepares the paper for the next stage of creating a snowflake.

Step 5

Now you can cut your shapes into the folded snowflake. Anything goes but be careful not to cut all the way across the triangle as this will break it.

The image shows a person using scissors to carefully cut shapes into the folded paper snowflake. Their other hand holds the folded triangle steady. The cuts are decorative, creating the intricate patterns that will appear when the snowflake is unfolded.

Step 6

Carefully unfold the paper and reveal your finished design. Now you can pop it on your Christmas tree, stick it on a window or use it on gift wrapping. Enjoy!

he image shows a person holding up an unfolded paper snowflake, revealing its intricate design. The snowflake has a symmetrical, decorative pattern, and the hands gently display the finished craft against a dark table background.

Help decorate our Rustington Centre!

As Christmas approaches, we're busy decking the halls of our Rustington Centre in West Sussex and would love a flurry of pretty paper snowflakes to add to the splendour.

If you'd like to get involved, please post a handful of yours by 12 December to: Theresa Farley, Blind Veterans UK, Seafield Road, Rustington, BN16 2JG.

If you wish, add a personal message to remind our blind veterans that they're in your thoughts this festive season. We can't wait to see them!