Welcome to National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day, a day dedicated to the art of crafting paper snowflakes. Every year on December 27, people worldwide celebrate this joyful and artistic day.
It’s the ideal time to come together with loved ones, enjoy the quality time, and let your creative side go. In this article, we’ll give you a thorough tutorial on celebrating National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day and building lovely, one-of-a-kind snowflakes that will fill your house with winter magic.
Materials Needed to Make Cut-Out Snowflakes
To start creating your snowflakes, you will need some basic materials you may already have at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- White paper (printer paper or construction paper will work)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler (optional)
If you want to take your snowflake-making to the next level, you can also use:
- Coloured paper
- Glitter
- Decorative scissors
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Cut-Out Snowflakes
Fold the Paper: Take a square piece of paper and fold it in half diagonally, making a triangle.
Fold the Paper Again: Take the folded triangle and fold it in half again, making a smaller triangle.
Create a Triangle: Take the folded paper and fold it in half again, making an even smaller triangle.
Draw the Pattern: Draw your snowflake pattern on the folded paper using a pencil. You can create a pattern that is as simple or complex as you wish but remembers that your snowflake will be more complex with more cuts you make.
Cut Along the Lines: Using scissors, carefully cut along the lines of your pattern, making sure to cut through all layers of paper.
Unfold Your Snowflake: After cutting, carefully unfold your paper to reveal your beautiful snowflake.
Tips and Tricks
(i) To make equal folds and lines, use a ruler.
(ii) Try experimenting with various designs and shapes to produce unique snowflakes.
(iii) Don’t worry if your snowflake isn’t perfect; its flaws make it remarkable and unique.
(iv) Use colourful paper or glitter to make your snowflakes even more spectacular.
(v) Edge patterns can be made with ornamental scissors.
History of National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day
The exact history of National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day is unknown. However, it is thought to have started in the United States in the early 2000s.
Making paper snowflakes is a long-standing custom that is a favourite pastime for kids and adults. In the past, people used scissors and paper to create intricate snowflakes to decorate their homes during winter.
Although making snowflakes is a modern custom, the technique is based on the ancient craft of origami. The origami craft, which involves repeatedly folding a piece of paper to make objects, originated in Japan in the early 17th century.
Kirigami is a different variation that includes tracing shapes into folded paper. Both techniques are used to make cut-out snowflakes, which require paper folding and additional cuts for a more intricate appearance.
Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day encourages people to take a break from their busy lives and engage in a creative activity that can be both relaxing and rewarding. It is often celebrated on December 27th, which is a time when many people are still enjoying the winter season and may be looking for fun indoor activities to do with family and friends.
People typically collect materials for Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day, such as scissors, paper, and perhaps even glitter or markers, to make distinctive and lovely snowflakes. While some people prefer to cut their designs freehand, others may use templates or stencils as guidance.
It is a wonderful chance to showcase your creativity and appreciate the beauty of winter, regardless of how you choose to celebrate it.
Timeline
| 105 AD–> | Paper is invented | Cai Lun, a Chinese official, invented the paper. |
| 17th century–> | The Art of Origami | Making origami kicks off in Japan. |
| 1880s–> | Siblings, Not Twins | Wilson Alwyn Bentley learns that each snowflake is unique. |
| 1962–> | Arrived in the USA | The Japanese craft is introduced to Americans through Florence Temko’s book “Kirigami, the Creative Art of Papercutting.” |
Celebrating National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day
Now that you know how to make snowflakes, it’s time to celebrate! Here are some fun and creative ways to enjoy National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day:
Host a Snowflake-Making Party: Organize a snowflake-making party and invite your friends and family to join you. Provide a creative area with all the necessary supplies, and encourage everyone to express their creativity there.
Decorate Your Home: Use your snowflakes to decorate your home for the winter season. Hang them on your windows, string them together to make garlands, or use them to embellish your holiday gifts.
Make a Snowflake Wreath: Create a stunning winter wreath for your front door using a wire wreath shape and attaching your snowflakes.
Donate Your Snowflakes: Give your snowflakes to a nearby hospital, nursing home, or school to help others enjoy the holiday season.
10+ Amazing Facts About Snowflakes That Will Blow Your Mind
1. Snow does not only consist of snowflakes. Sleet is a component of snow.
2. Not all snowflakes are white. The angle at which the light strikes them and whatever impurities or dirt they may have picked up during their fall affect their colour.
3. Around 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 snowflakes fall in the United States alone per year.
4. One inch of water is equivalent to ten inches of snow.
5. On Earth, 80 per cent of the freshwater is frozen or covered in snow.
6. The biggest snowflake measured 8 inches thick and 15 inches across. In 1887, it collapsed in Fort Keogh, Montana.
7. No two snowflakes are identical, although they can be very similar in structure and appearance.
8. 3.4 miles per hour, or up to 5 feet per second, is the maximum speed at which snowflakes fall.
9. Snowflakes are not just found on Earth. Scientists have detected them in the atmosphere of other planets and moons, such as Mars and Titan.
10. The temperature of the cloud where snowflakes form can also affect the size and shape of the snowflakes. Warmer clouds have the potential to produce larger, more complex snowflakes, while colder clouds often produce smaller, simpler snowflakes.
11. Snowflakes are frequently used in art and literature as a metaphor for beauty and fragility. They are also considered a symbol of luck, purity, and transformation in several parts of the world.
National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
| 2023 | December 27 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | December 27 | Friday |
| 2025 | December 27 | Saturday |
| 2026 | December 27 | Sunday |
| 2027 | December 27 | Monday |
Conclusion
National Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day is a fun and creative holiday that allows you to celebrate the winter season while letting your creativity shine. This holiday will make everyone smile, whether you make snowflakes with your family and friends or give them to those in need. Now, gather your supplies, adhere to our step-by-step instructions, and make your own distinctive and lovely snowflakes.
Most Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What materials do I need to make snowflakes?
Ans: All you need is white paper, scissors, and templates. You can find templates online or create your designs.
Q: Can I use coloured paper to make snowflakes?
Ans: Yes, you can use coloured paper to make snowflakes. However, white paper works best to create the classic snowflake look.
Q: How do I make a 3D snowflake?
Ans: To make a 3D snowflake, you must cut out multiple snowflake designs and glue them together to create a layered effect.