Some paper crafts are all about patience and precision—but the net decoration is pure delight, because the payoff arrives in a single pull. You fold a sheet, take scissors to a few guide lines, and then watch it unfold into a springy, see-through lattice that looks far more intricate than the handful of cuts it took to make.

It's a wonderfully quick make: seven steps from flat paper to openwork decoration, with no tricky folding to trip you up. Hang one in a window, string a few together as a garland, or use it as a playful topper. Let's make one.

STEP 1

Fold the origami in half along the dotted line.

STEP 2

Fold it in half again.

STEP 3

Careful not to cut through to the top edge, snip along the white guide lines with scissors.

STEP 4

Turn it upside down.

STEP 5

Again careful not to cut through to the top edge, make another cut between the previous ones.

STEP 6

Gently spread the origami paper and turn it over.

STEP 7

Hold it as shown in the image and gently pull it in the direction of the arrow to complete the net decoration.