DIY Twine & Greenery Napkin Rings

The five-minute detail that makes your whole Christmas table look pulled-together — for pennies.

Napkin rings are one of those little things that quietly make a table look finished. Store-bought ones can run a few dollars each, though, and that adds up fast for a full table.

So one year I started making my own out of twine and a snip of greenery, and I haven’t bought a set since. They cost almost nothing, take a movie’s length to batch out, and I reuse the same ones year after year.

If you’re setting a cozy farmhouse table this Christmas, these DIY twine napkin rings are the easiest win on the whole spread.

Making a whole table? Pair these with my full Cheap Table Decor for Christmas roundup for the centerpieces to match.

Why You’ll Love These

• Practically free. A single ball of twine makes a dozen or more.
• Five minutes each — and fully batchable. Make the whole set in one sitting.
• Reusable. Faux greenery means these last for years, not one dinner.
• Endlessly customizable. Swap the accent and they match any color scheme or holiday.

Supplies You’ll Need

(Most of this is at the Dollar Tree, Walmart, or already in your craft bin!)

• Twine or jute
• Faux greenery sprigs — eucalyptus, pine, or boxwood work beautifully
• Hot glue gun
• Optional accents: cinnamon sticks, mini pinecones, berry picks, or tiny jingle bells
• Your napkins (cloth or nice paper both work)

How to Make Twine Napkin Rings

1. Size your loop Wrap the twine around a rolled napkin (or a spice jar — it’s just about the right size) a few times to get the diameter you want. This is your guide so every ring comes out matching.

2. Build the ring Wind the twine around itself six to eight times to make a sturdy band, then tie off the ends with a small knot. A dab of hot glue on the knot keeps it from slipping.

3. Add the greenery Snip a small sprig of faux greenery and hot-glue it right over the knot to hide it. That one little sprig is what turns a plain twine loop into something that looks intentional.

4. Add an accent (optional) Tuck in a cinnamon stick, a mini pinecone, a berry pick, or a tiny bell for extra charm. A cinnamon stick is my favorite — it looks rustic and the table smells amazing.

5. Batch the rest Once you’ve got the rhythm, the whole set comes together fast. [I usually make a few extra for hostess gifts — confirm if true.]

Styling Variations

One base ring, four different looks:

• Farmhouse: twine + a sprig of eucalyptus.
• Rustic cabin: jute + a cinnamon stick + mini pinecone.
• Elegant: gold or metallic twine + boxwood.
• Festive: add a tiny jingle bell or a red berry pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use real greenery instead of faux? You can, and it smells wonderful — just know real sprigs will dry out, so add them the day of your gathering. Faux is the way to go if you want to reuse the rings year after year.

How many should I make? One per place setting, plus a couple of spares. A standard ball of twine easily makes a dozen or more.

What size should the loop be? Big enough to slide a rolled napkin through comfortably — wrapping around a spice jar or your rolled napkin gives you a reliable guide.

Are these reusable? Absolutely. With faux greenery, store them flat in a box and they’ll come out looking fresh next Christmas.

Set the Whole Table

That’s it — the cheapest little upgrade your Christmas table will get this year. Make a set some evening and you’re done for years.

Keep going: add my DIY Mason Jar Candle Centerpiece and DIY Cylinder Vase Centerpiece for a table that looks like it took way more effort than it did.