Pick your paper. Both sides of your paper will be visible, so keep that in mind as you choose it.
Use the cookie cutter to trace a shape onto your paper.

Cut out one shape and use it as a template to cut out at least nine more, for a total of ten. Keep your shapes simple. These ornaments end up being three dimensional and complicated shapes (like Santa or the Easter Bunny) won’t really translate well.

After you’ve cut out ten shapes, fold each in half on both sides. So, fold one side in half vertically. Flip it over and fold it vertically on the other side. This will create a flexible, vertical crease in the middle of your shape.

Stack the shapes as uniformly as you can and vertically bend them in half all together, back and forth. This will increase the flexibility.

Place two staples, one at the top and one at the bottom of your stack. Orient the staples so that they, too, are vertical and directly inside the fold mark.

If you can’t get a staple in that space, you may also use thin, flexible wire to wrap the entire stack of paper cutouts along that vertical fold line. Securely twist the wire at the ends, using them to create a hook from which the ornament can hang. Securing the stack keeps the ornament from falling apart up the center.

Beginning at one side of your stack of cutouts (it’s basically divided into halves by your staples or wire), place one glue dot at the top of one cutout in the stack and secure it to the top of the next cutout in the stack.

Then, place a glue dot on the bottom of the already secured cutout and secure it to the next cutout in the stack at the bottom.

Alternate top and bottom glue dots until you’ve gone halfway around your stack of cutouts.

Pause halfway through your ornament assembly. If you want to place a ribbon, loop of twine or even a pipe cleaner in the center of your ornament to create a hook from which it can hang, now’s the time.

Make a loop and tape it securely into the center. It will be hidden from view by further alternating of glue dots as you finish your ornament. However, keep it tidy on the inside, just in case.

Continue alternating glue dots to secure the tops and bottoms of each cutout. You should be able to see the pattern of alternating top and bottom by now – it creates a kind of accordion effect.

After you’ve secured all your cutouts top and bottom, gently bend and adjust them to even out how they open. Watch out you don’t exert too much force and pop open one of your connections.

Use extra glue dots if you need them to reconnect cutouts.