Origami Twinkle Lights

I love to decorate for Christmas.

But I prefer to do it very slowly. 

The halls of most American yuletide-loving homes are fully decked by the close of Thanksgiving weekend, but that's when I'm just beginning my process. Armed with bits of paper, tree branches, fishing line, assorted garlands, and twinkle lights, I expect to spread the job out over the next few weeks.

Here, in day-to-day installments, is the story of how my house is getting ready for Christmas.

* * * * *

If I had to choose Ground Zero of my home, no question that it would be the kitchen sink. This is the nerve center of the house, from where all energy flows.

So it only makes sense to start spreading the holiday spirit from that very locale. 

I am a full-on sucker for white twinkle lights, as anyone who has ever been to my home can attest. I put them everywhere. So to make this string a bit more holiday-worthy, I've dolled it up with a couple dozen origami cubes.

Not only is the project simple and cheap, but the little boxes can be easily slipped off the lights and folded down for easy storage, Truth be told, I folded these cubes several years ago, and after their inaugural display, they have been quietly sleeping in a small ziploc bag. Last night, I simply took them from their hiding place, revived them with a quick puff, and popped them onto a fresh string of one hundred white lights. 

Easy.

Cute.

Festive. 

The cozy glow of the lights looks especially merry against the pristine white of last weekend's snowfall, and the icy frozen tundra of my backyard. 

I am inspired to keep decorating.