Make your Christmas tree look professionally decorated with these gorgeous ribbon techniques.
10 Christmas Tree Ribbon Ideas
Updated on Dec. 19, 2023
How To Style a Christmas Tree With Ribbon
No Christmas tree is complete without ribbon! There are a wide range of ribbon styles and techniques that you can customize to fit your unique Christmas style, and we gathered some of our favorites to inspire you.
We also talked to seasonal decorator, Lisa Barth, for her expert advice on ribbons and bows. Her best ribbon tip? “Invest in high-quality wired ribbon and store it well! Layer textures and patterns to add dimension,” says Barth.
If you’re not crafty, and working with ribbon intimidates you — fear not! “Ribbon is just fabric,” Barth says. “Don’t be afraid of it. If it doesn’t look quite right, just keep practicing.”
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Weaving Ribbon
This tree by @bowsbybarth proves you can never have too much ribbon on your tree! Especially when the ribbon is as beautiful as these gold and white ribbon styles.
Here’s how Barth describes her technique: “I make a few loops and use the branches of the tree to secure them, then I go down [the tree] and let the ribbon flow naturally. I find the next connection point and secure the ribbon again to make it look like the ribbon is weaving in and out of the tree.”
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Velvet Bows
In recent years, velvet bows have started trending on Christmas trees, garlands and wreaths. This tree from @paolaa.lifedecor is a perfect example of the casual yet elegant technique. Using narrow velvet ribbon, about 1 inch wide, tie bows directly onto the tree branches. Allow the loops and tails to hang down loosely to get the right effect.
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Wide Satin
Use extra-wide ribbon or fabric to recreate this look from @those.green.windows. The white satin drapes down the tree, tucked into the branches to achieve a voluminous style. Install the ribbon first, then use ornaments and floral picks to fill in the gaps. The result is a full, fluffy tree that looks beautiful even when it’s not lit up!
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Frayed-Edge Chiffon
Frayed-edge silk chiffon ribbon gives your tree a more delicate look. Seen on this tree from @mwhitenerdesigns, the gray-blue ribbon is semi-transparent — letting the tree lights shine through. She left the bow tails extra long, so they contrast nicely with the shorter and thicker white bows. Gold wooden beads and simple black-and-white glass ball ornaments are the finishing touches.
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Layered Ribbon
Notice how the ribbon on this tree from @hold_my_eggnog is two layers? Black-and-white gingham ribbon is layered on top of a wide burlap ribbon to create more depth and pattern. The two-ribbon technique makes the ribbon more substantial, so it doesn’t get lost among all the ornaments and other tree decor.
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Multicolor Bows
This gorgeous tree from @whilefloriansleeps is covered in multicolored bows. It’s also stuffed with ornaments, covered in tinsel and glowing with lights and candles for a maximalist style that fits well in this eclectic, jewel-colored room. Remember, your Christmas style should blend well with your everyday decor— and in this case, the “more-is-more” aesthetic is stunning.
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@mywellihousedecor Christmas tree ribbon tutorial #learnontiktok #christmastree #kingofchristmas #holidaytiktok #holidaydecor #decoronabudget #MacysGiftTok #hobbylobbychristmas #homedecor ♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Michael Bublé
Loop Technique
Watch as @mywellihousedecor demonstrates a triple-loop Christmas tree ribbon technique. Starting with a 42-inch-long piece of wide, wired ribbon, she creates three large loops. Then she secures it with floral wire and uses the wire to attach it to the tree. Fluff the loops and arrange the tail of the ribbon to finish the look. It’s a great way to get a fluffy bow effect without actually having to tie bows onto the branches.
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@down_mulberry_lane Replying to @Lea Lea3352 I call this ribbon technique “curly cutie” Here’s a little step by step. Hope this helps! ❤️🎄#christmasribbontutorial #christmasribbonhack ♬ Carol Of The Bells – Lindsey Stirling
Curly Ribbon
Create curly ribbon accents on your tree with this idea from @down_mulberry_lane that she’s named “curly cuties.” Fold a long piece of wired ribbon (it must be wired!) in half, creating a point with the folded side. Insert the folded point into the tree branches, and then curl the ends. The wire keeps the curls intact. Cute indeed!
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@lovelivedream82 ⭐️ Do you want an easy hack for decorating your Christmas tree with ribbon? Try these Ribbon Ornament Clusters and tag @the.sugarplum.palace when you do!! . . . ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴛ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ! Here’s How To Join! 1. Follow All Main Hosts and the Community Page: @athomecollectivecommunity @thehollyandivyhome @reevesredesign @designsbylory 2. Follow this week’s cohost: @saremmy 3. DM a Main Host to join! The AHC Community runs every Tuesday 8pm through Thursday 8pm EST. #ᏜᎿнᎾмэᏩᎧᏍᏝёсᎹᎥᎭᎧnᎾv14 ⭐️ . . . . #thesugarplumpalace #christmastreehack #treedecoratinghack #christmastreeribbon #ribbonornamentclusters #christmasdecorating #christmastreedecorating #holidayhome #holidaydecor ♬ original sound – Lovelivedream
Ribbon Ornament Cluster
This technique from @lovelivedream82 combines two pieces of wide ribbon, three ornaments and a floral pick tied together with a zip tie. The finished decorative bunch is then tucked into the tree and fluffed. Decorating this way fills up the tree faster, and makes it easier to take down when the Christmas season is over.
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Traditional Ribbon Tutorial
Wide ribbon encircling the Christmas tree from top to bottom is a beloved traditional Christmas tree decorating idea. If you love the look but aren’t sure how to achieve it, we’ve created a tutorial that makes it nearly foolproof. You’ll learn the secret to keeping the ribbon in place, plus answers to the most common FAQs about this Christmas tree ribbon technique.
About the Expert
Lisa Barth is a seasonal decorator specializing in custom trees, garlands, wreaths and tablescapes. She’s also a Merry Maker ambassador for Hello Holidays.
