There is a small, delightful habit worth knowing: the thin paper wrapper your chopsticks come rolled in does not have to be tossed aside. With a few folds it becomes a little bird that sits on the table and holds your chopsticks up off the surface, looking far fancier than the effort it takes.

It is the kind of fold you can do absent-mindedly while waiting for food, and a whole row of them down a dinner table turns a plain setting into something memorable. The steps are short and forgiving, so even if your first bird comes out a little lopsided, the second one will already look great.

Next time you unwrap a pair of chopsticks, smooth the paper flat and give it a try - you will have a tiny origami guest at your place setting before the dishes even arrive.

This little origami bird is a chopstick rest, folded from the paper wrapper your chopsticks come in. It lifts the chopsticks off the table and adds an elegant, auspicious touch to any meal.

STEP 1.

Fold and crease following the direction of the arrow.

STEP 2.

Fold the paper along the dotted line, following the direction of the arrow.

STEP 3.

Fold the paper along the dotted line, following the direction of the arrow.

STEP 4.

Fold the paper in half along the dotted line.

STEP 5.

Fold the paper so that the dotted line ends up on the outside.

STEP 6.

Fold the paper so that the dotted line ends up on the inside.

STEP 7.

Fold the paper so that the dotted line ends up on the inside.

STEP 8.

Fold the paper so that the dotted line ends up on the inside.

STEP 9.

Your origami chopstick rest is complete.