On this page
Craft guide
Paper Christmas Bell Craft with a Coral Bow
A bright paper ornament can make a small branch, gift bag, or classroom display feel ready for the holidays. This paper Christmas bell craft combines a teal cone, six white dots, and a coral geometric bow. A natural twine loop finishes the top, so the bell is ready to hang once the glue has set.
The design uses a semicircle rather than a complicated folded template. You curl the paper into a cone, secure the hanger in the seam, and add a few small decorations. The open bottom gives it a bell-like silhouette. This is a decorative paper bell; it has no clapper and does not make a ringing sound.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Recommended age:
- 7+ with adult supervision
- Time needed:
- About 25–35 minutes, plus glue-setting time
- Main materials:
- Teal, white, and coral cardstock, twine, craft glue
- Finished craft:
- Hanging paper cone bell with white dots and a coral bow
Materials You Will Need -
- One sheet of flexible teal cardstock, approximately 160–200 gsm, large enough for an 18 cm wide semicircle.
- A small scrap of white cardstock for six circles, each about 8 mm across.
- A coral cardstock scrap for two triangular bow pieces and a center rectangle.
- Approximately 25 cm of natural twine.
- Paper-friendly tacky craft glue.
- One small piece of clear tape, about 2 cm long, to reinforce the twine attachment inside the cone.
Use cardstock that curls easily without creasing. Very heavy board can resist the curve and pull the glued seam apart. Regular thin paper is easier to roll, but the finished bell may dent more readily. If you are choosing between the two, test a corner before cutting the main shape.
Tools You Will Need
Gather scissors, a pencil, a ruler, and a compass. A small circle punch is optional; scissors work too. Keep a scrap sheet beneath your glue work and have a cloth available for sticky fingers. An adult should help with cutting small shapes and any sharp compass point. Keep twine and tiny paper pieces away from younger siblings.
How to Make the Paper Christmas Bell
1Step 1: Cut the Bell and Bow Pieces
Draw a straight line 18 cm long on the teal cardstock. Mark its midpoint, then use a compass set to 9 cm to draw a semicircle above the line. Cut along the curved edge and the straight diameter. You now have a half-circle that will become the bell body.
Cut six white circles approximately 8 mm across. They do not have to be mechanically perfect; slightly handmade edges suit the project. For the bow, cut two coral triangles, each about 2 cm from its narrow tip to its broad outer edge and about 2 cm tall at that edge. Cut a small coral rectangle approximately 1 cm wide and 0.6 cm tall. Cut the twine to 25 cm.
Lay out the pieces before continuing. This keeps the little circles from disappearing under paper scraps and makes it easier to check that you have all six.
2Step 2: Form the Cone and Secure the Hanger
Gently curl the teal semicircle so the two halves of the straight edge move toward each other. The midpoint of that straight edge becomes the cone's tip. Overlap the edges by about 1 cm and check that the curved edge forms an even open rim.
Fold the twine in half. Place both loose ends just inside the upper seam, leaving the loop emerging from the tip. Reinforce those ends against the inside cardstock with the small tape piece. Apply a thin line of tacky glue to the overlapping paper edge and close the seam. Press it carefully until it holds, then let it set according to the glue instructions.
The bell should be roughly 8 cm tall with an opening around 8–8.5 cm across. Small differences are expected because the seam overlap changes the width. Put the seam toward the back for display. Avoid pulling the loop while the glue is wet.
3Step 3: Add the Dots and Assemble the Bow
Place the cone with its front facing you. Arrange the six white circles across the visible front, keeping one space near the tip for the bow. Try a loose staggered pattern rather than a strict grid. Leave a little room above the lower edge so none of the dots hang over the opening.
Lift one circle at a time, add a tiny dab of glue, and press it back into position. Too much glue can make a small piece slide or soften the cardstock. Let the decorated side rest without touching the tabletop.
Next, bring the narrow tips of the two coral triangles together, with their broad edges facing outward. Overlap the tips slightly and glue the small rectangle across the meeting point. This creates a flat geometric bow. Let its center bond before lifting it. Keep the bow separate from the bell until the final step.
4Step 4: Attach the Bow and Finish the Bell
Glue the bow high on the front of the cone, just below the point where the twine emerges. Position the center between the dots rather than covering them. Only the center needs a small glue contact area; the broad ends can sit slightly away from the cone's curved surface.
Set the bell aside until all the glue has dried. Support it on its side without pressing the bow against the table. Once dry, hold it briefly by the loop over the table to check that the hanger is secure. If an attachment feels loose, repair it and let it set again before hanging
Easy Ways to Customize the Craft
Try a navy cone with a pale pink bow, or use a cream cone with red dots. Keep the paper construction the same while changing the palette. You could replace the circles with small stars for another version, adjusting the materials list before starting.
To make a larger bell, increase the semicircle radius and scale the bow and dots with it. Make a test cone first because heavier decorations may need a stronger attachment. Avoid adding heavy metal pieces to this lightweight hanger.
Where to Use or Display It
Hang the ornament on an indoor tree branch, a classroom display hook, or a decorative garland. It also makes a cheerful gift-bag accent. Keep paper bells away from moisture, candles, and hot lights. Store them in a box with enough space around the bows so they retain their shape.
Final Thoughts
One semicircle and a handful of paper scraps become a colorful holiday decoration in four practical steps. Give the seams time to set, check the twine before display, and enjoy choosing colors that suit your own Christmas decorations.
