Tissue paper pom poms are an inexpensive way to add color and volume to a party space. With a few sheets of tissue paper, scissors, and string, you can make decorations in different sizes for ceilings, walls, tables, backdrops, and gift displays.
Supplies You’ll Need
For one medium pom pom, gather:
- 8 to 12 sheets of tissue paper
- Scissors
- Floral wire, thin craft wire, or a pipe cleaner
- String, fishing line, ribbon, or clear cord for hanging
- A ruler, optional
- A pencil, optional
- A small bowl or round object, optional, for shaping the edges
The number of tissue paper sheets controls how full the pom pom looks. Use 8 sheets for a lighter, more delicate decoration and 12 or more for a dense, fluffy pom pom. Standard tissue paper usually works well, but very thin paper can tear more easily when you separate the layers.
Choose one color for a classic look, combine two or three colors for a layered effect, or use different shades from the same color family. For a party, it helps to decide on your color palette before cutting so the finished decorations look coordinated.
Choose the Size and Shape
The finished pom pom is usually about the same diameter as the length of the tissue paper sheets after the edges are trimmed. For example, a 20-inch-wide sheet can create a pom pom roughly 18 to 20 inches across.
Use these general guidelines:
| Finished decoration | Tissue paper size | Recommended sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Small pom pom | About 8 to 10 inches | 6–8 |
| Medium pom pom | About 12 to 16 inches | 8–10 |
| Large pom pom | About 18 to 20 inches | 10–14 |
Before beginning, clear a flat work surface. Tissue paper is easiest to fold when it is fully supported and not hanging over the edge of a table.
Step 1: Stack the Tissue Paper
Lay the tissue paper sheets flat and stack them neatly. Smooth out large wrinkles, but do not worry about making every edge perfectly aligned. Small differences will disappear as the pom pom opens.
If you are mixing colors, place the sheets in the order you want to see them. For example, alternate pale pink and white sheets, or place the darkest color in the center with lighter shades on the outside. Keep in mind that the center sheets may be less visible once the pom pom is fluffed.
For a smaller pom pom, cut the stack in half before folding. Work with one stack at a time rather than trying to fold a large, awkward bundle.
Step 2: Fold the Stack Accordion-Style
Starting at one short end, make a fold about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Turn the stack over and make another fold of the same width in the opposite direction. Continue folding back and forth until the entire stack resembles a paper fan.
Try to keep the folds as even as possible. They do not need to be exact, but uneven folds can create lopsided petals. If the tissue paper slides while you work, gently tap the stack on the table to realign the edges before continuing.
For a softer, fuller pom pom, use folds closer to 1 inch wide. For a more graphic flower shape, use folds closer to 1 1/2 inches wide. Narrow folds create more individual layers, while wider folds make the decoration open more quickly.
Step 3: Secure the Center
Once the stack is folded, find the center of the paper fan. Wrap floral wire, thin craft wire, or a pipe cleaner tightly around that point. Twist it securely at the back, leaving a small loop or extra length for attaching the hanging string later.
Do not tighten the wire so aggressively that it cuts through the tissue paper. It should hold the folded stack firmly while still allowing the layers to move. If you are using string instead of wire, tie a secure double knot around the center, but wire is generally easier to adjust.
At this stage, the folded bundle should look like a narrow bow or fan. Check that the center is balanced before shaping the ends.
Step 4: Shape the Ends
Use scissors to trim both short ends of the folded stack. The cut you choose determines the look of the pom pom.
- Cut a rounded curve for soft, rounded petals.
- Cut a point for a starburst or dahlia-like appearance.
- Cut a shallow V for a more decorative, fringed effect.
- Leave the ends straight for a simple, full flower shape.
To create matching ends, trim both sides at the same time if your scissors can handle the thickness. Otherwise, trim one end, use it as a visual guide, and repeat the same shape on the other end.
Make small cuts rather than removing too much at once. You can always trim more later, but you cannot easily restore tissue paper once it has been cut.
Step 5: Open the Pom Pom
Place the folded bundle on the table and begin separating the layers one at a time. Start at one side of the center and gently pull the top sheet upward and toward the middle. Then move to the opposite side and lift the corresponding sheet. Alternating sides helps keep the pom pom balanced.
Continue opening the layers until half of the flower is formed. Turn the decoration over and repeat the process on the other side. Work slowly, especially when pulling the outer sheets, because they are most likely to tear.
Do not pull a layer sharply away from the center. Instead, support the fold near the wire with one hand while lifting the sheet with the other. If a layer sticks to the next one, separate it with your fingertips rather than using scissors.
When all the layers are open, gently rotate and puff the pom pom until it becomes round. Some tissue paper flowers are designed to remain semi-flat, which is useful for attaching them to a wall or backdrop. For a full hanging pom pom, continue shaping both sides until they meet into a sphere.
Step 6: Add the Hanging String
Attach string, ribbon, or fishing line to the wire loop. Use a piece long enough for the location where you plan to hang the decoration, and tie the connection securely.
For a clean, nearly invisible look, use clear fishing line. Ribbon adds another color and can become part of the decoration. Baker’s twine or cotton cord works well for rustic, garden, or craft-themed parties.
Before hanging the pom pom, hold it by the string and inspect the shape. If one side looks flatter, gently reposition a few layers. Avoid repeatedly pulling the same sheet, since the tissue paper may weaken around the center.
Ways to Use Tissue Paper Pom Poms
Pom poms can be displayed individually, in pairs, or in clusters of different sizes. A group of three to seven decorations often creates more visual interest than a row of identical flowers.
Try these arrangements:
- Hang several pom poms at different heights above a dessert table.
- Create an ombré cluster by arranging light, medium, and dark shades together.
- Attach semi-flat pom poms to a wall as a flower backdrop.
- Place small pom poms around a centerpiece or along a buffet table.
- Combine large and small flowers around a birthday banner.
- Suspend them near a photo booth or party entrance.
- Use white, ivory, and metallic accents for a wedding or bridal shower.
- Mix bright colors for a children’s birthday party or summer celebration.
For a more polished display, keep the spacing intentional. Odd-numbered groupings usually look natural, while matching heights can create a more formal arrangement.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The pom pom looks flat
The layers may not have been opened far enough. Separate more sheets near the center and gently pull the two halves toward one another. If the paper was folded too tightly, loosen the folds with your fingertips.
A flat shape is not always a mistake. Semi-flat pom poms are useful when decorating a wall, sign, or narrow backdrop where a full sphere would stick out too far.
The pom pom is lopsided
Check whether the wire is centered. If it is off-center, carefully loosen it and reposition the folded stack. You can also correct the shape by opening more layers on the thinner side and slightly compressing the fuller side.
Uneven trimming can also make one side appear larger. Make small corrective cuts only after the pom pom is fully opened.
The tissue paper keeps tearing
You may be pulling too far from the center or separating several layers at once. Work with one sheet at a time and support the paper close to the wire. Thicker tissue paper is often easier for beginners.
If one sheet tears, do not discard the entire pom pom. Tuck the torn section into the surrounding layers, or trim the damaged portion into a shorter petal.
The layers will not separate
The folds may be pressed too firmly together. Slide a fingertip carefully between the sheets near the outer edge, then work inward. A dry, clean surface helps prevent sheets from sticking together.
Avoid wetting the paper. Moisture can cause color bleeding, wrinkles, and weak spots.
The flower does not look full enough
Add more layers next time, or use narrower accordion folds. You can also make two smaller pom poms and overlap them, although the center may need extra wire to support the combined weight.
Practical Safety and Display Limits
Tissue paper pom poms are lightweight, but they still need a secure attachment point. Use removable hooks, ceiling clips, or approved hanging hardware appropriate for the surface. Do not attach decorations to sprinkler heads, light fixtures, ceiling fans, heaters, or electrical wiring.
Keep tissue paper away from candles, fireplaces, stovetops, space heaters, and exposed bulbs. Paper decorations are not flameproof. For outdoor use, protect them from rain, strong wind, and damp grass; moisture quickly softens tissue paper and can make the colors run.
Make the pom poms shortly before the event or store them carefully in a dry box. Do not compress them under heavy objects. If you need to transport them, keep them folded and open them at the venue.
Once the pom poms are fluffed, a light touch is best. They are attractive and inexpensive, but they are not designed to withstand frequent handling, children pulling on them, or repeated relocation.
Easy Variations
For a two-tone flower, alternate two colors throughout the stack. For striped petals, place several sheets of one color over several sheets of another. You can also trim the edges in different ways on separate pom poms to create a varied display.
To make a pom pom garland, create smaller flowers and thread or tie them along a long ribbon. Leave several inches between each flower so they do not flatten one another. For a wall arrangement, make half-pom poms by opening the layers in only one direction and attach the flat side to a backdrop.
A little planning makes the process much easier: prepare all of the tissue paper stacks first, fold each one consistently, and label color combinations before shaping them. With that preparation, you can create a coordinated set of tissue paper pom poms for nearly any celebration.