How to make a paper red envelope (Hongbao)
Paper Red Envelope (Hongbao): try all 6 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A slim Lunar New Year red envelope folded from a single strip of paper: a deep pocket for the gift, folded sides and a pointed flap that closes it. No glue or scissors.
- You need
- One strip of red paper, 10 × 26 cm. For a gift, folded banknotes fit the pocket.
- Start
- Use a strip of red paper 10 cm wide and 26 cm long, with its short edge at the top. Start white side up; the red side ends up outside everywhere.
- Tips
- Press every crease sharp so the pocket sits flat.
- Fold the two corners the same size so the point is centered.
Your model is ready
Your red envelope is ready. Lift the point to slide a gift into the pocket, then fold it down again. The closed red envelope, with its pointed flap over the front.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Fold the pocket up
Fold the bottom edge up until it is 4 cm below the top edge, and press the crease. This makes the front of the pocket.
- 2
Fold the left side in
Fold the left edge in by 2 cm, through the pocket and the back together.
- 3
Fold the right side in
Fold the right edge in by 2 cm to match.
- 4
Fold the upper left corner
Fold the top left corner down along a slanting line from the top of the pocket to the middle of the top edge.
- 5
Fold the upper right corner
Fold the top right corner down along the matching slanting line. The top is now a pointed roof.
- 6
Close the flap
Fold the pointed flap down over the mouth of the pocket, along the top edge of the pocket.
- ✓
Finish
Your red envelope is ready. Lift the point to slide a gift into the pocket, then fold it down again. The closed red envelope, with its pointed flap over the front.
Fold next
Money envelope ↗
A flat envelope for a gift of money, folded from one square of paper. A deep pocket holds banknotes lying flat, and the flap tucks inside and two folded sides close the ends.
Pleated fan ↗
An Origami Tutor paper fan with twelve radial panels and a rounded rim. One square folds into a doubled leaf, gathers into a narrow packet and opens into a broad half-circle, without cuts or glue.
Red-envelope lantern ↗
An Origami Tutor cut-paper lantern with five red panels, open ends, a hanging loop and a gold paper tassel.
Square paper doily ↗
Fold a square twice into four layers, cut the square paper doily pattern, and open the creases in turn.