A traditional and elegant looking Christmas tree is within your reach. Here are a few easy steps to decorate your tree with ribbon.
Time 2 to 4 hours
ComplexityBeginner
CostAround $50
Introduction
Looking for ways to enhance your holiday decorations? Add ribbon to your Christmas tree to create a beautiful, classic look.
Whether you dread it or embrace it, the holiday season involves many projects, large and small.
The large projects, like scaling your roofline to hang Christmas lights, can feel daunting, and even the small ones take more time than we imagined. How you prepare and approach all those holiday to-do’s can make you want to sing along to those Christmas carols or simply scream, “Bah, humbug!”
Decorating a Christmas tree can be high on the list of daunting tasks, and full of pressure. We all have grand visions of yards and yards of ribbons dancing gracefully around our well-appointed tree.
Unfortunately, the reality is that those yards and yards of beautiful ribbon can easily tangle, and the ladder seems to get heavier and heavier as you move it around. It’s no wonder the whole ribbon process becomes a mess and certainly not fun.
When hanging beautifully billowing ribbons on a Christmas tree, the secret lies in breaking it down into smaller pieces. Cutting that 100-foot spool of ribbon into manageable proportions may seem wasteful or counterintuitive. However, the goal is to create the effect of each billow wrapping around the tree within an arm’s length without constantly repositioning your ladder.
With a few suggestions and tips, you can hang ribbons on a Christmas tree without getting all wrapped up.
Tools Required
- ladder
- Scissors
- wire cutter
Materials Required
- Floral wire matching the color of your tree
- Ribbon in 2.5”- 3.75” & 4” widths
Watch How To Put Ribbon On a Christmas Tree
Project step-by-step (7)
Step 1
Prepare your tree
If using an artificial Christmas tree, fluff and pull apart the branches to ensure they’re balanced before you attach the ribbon. Secure your topper, star and ribbon on the top of your tree before you join that section to the rest of the body.
If it’s a natural tree, trim overhanging branches that seem out of place to create a balanced look. Secure the ribbon/star/topper before you stand up the tree. It’s also easier to hang the lights on the tree before stringing the ribbon.
Step 2
Cut the ribbon
Cut spools of ribbon into smaller segments, 36 to 42 inches. Cut floral wire into two- to- three inch segments. The length of your ribbon depends on how much you want the ribbon to billow, and how far apart you’ll staggering the layout of the ribbon. The larger the tree, the longer the segments.
Test one segment before you make a final decision. I found using longer sections at the bottom of the tree made for better billowing.
Step 3
Attach floral wire to ribbon
Fold ribbon segments in half to determine the center point and tie a small piece of floral wire around it. Leave a small section of the wire open-ended so you can use that to secure it to the tree.
If your ribbon doesn’t have wire in it, attach a piece of wire to both ends. These will become the attachments points. This step will save you a lot of time and allow you to focus on the billowing effect you want to create.
Step 4
Decide the ribbon flow
Decide how the ribbon should be oriented based on your idea for the Christmas tree. Do it diagonally if the ribbon wraps around the tree, or linear if the ribbon flows down the tree.
The number of ribbons you use will change the spacing. Attach the ribbon in a way that looks natural and flowing. Don’t try to make it exact and perfect.
Step 5
Secure your ribbon to the tree
Start at the top of your tree. Secure one end of the ribbon close to the center (inner) part of your tree. Small Christmas trees may not require a ladder, but if you must use one, ensure it’s stable and secure. The goal: Creating an illusion the ribbon is one continuous piece wrapping around the tree.
Hide the point of attachment so it’s discrete and not visible or hidden. Feel free to fluff other branches around to achieve this goal.
Step 6
Repeat until ribbon fully encircles the tree
Repeat Step 5, moving diagonally around the tree, securing each one with the floral wire you already attached. This first ribbon will establish the angle and amount of flow in the billow of your ribbon. As you get to the bottom of your tree, you may want to make the angles more extreme so the ribbon appears to be fully wrapped around it.
Keep in mind you may be adding other decorative elements like candy canes and Christmas ornaments. Allow for space to fit them in.
Step 7
FAQs
Q: Does this technique of cutting ribbon into smaller sections also work for wreaths and smaller Christmas projects?
A: Yes! Cutting the ribbon into manageable proportion will make any Christmas project with ribbon easier which ultimately make it look even better.
Q: Does this technique of cutting ribbon into smaller sections also work on metallic trees?
A: Absolutely. Cutting ribbons into smaller sections and strategically placing them on a tree works well for natural trees, artificial trees, and metallic trees.
Q: Does a particular size of ribbon work better for hanging on a Christmas tree?
A: As with all material in DIY and creative projects, you will want to adjust to how the material works best. In this case, cut the lengths according to how you wish the ribbon to flow billow. Do a test run before you commit and pick the approach you like best. Longer strands of ribbon for a bigger billowing effect and shorter stands for a tighter look on the billow of the ribbon.
