Using Ribbon and Bows in Your Christmas Decorating
The holiday season is in full swing, and I’m on an all-out decorating binge. I can’t wait to share how using ribbon and bows in your Christmas decorating can add extra personal style to your decor.
How to use ribbon for Christmas decorations?
The best part about decorating for Christmas is there are no rules.
Don’t we all tend to decorate a bit based on our happy memories of holidays from the past?
Even if you are on a super tight budget, purchasing or recycling a few different ribbons can bring some holiday cheer to your space. Also, don’t think that you have to use themed Christmas ribbon specifically either!
It’s no secret that I am a gingham lover, so the holidays is a great time to bust out decorative ribbons in various colors, and gingham is always part of my plan.
Any place you feel can benefit from a bit of holiday decor is a good spot for ribbons! Think beyond the top of the tree. Find your perfect ribbon color and pattern and let’s get started.
Where to place Christmas bows?
There are so many places and different ways you can add Christmas bows and ribbons in your decor. Here are a few of my favorites:
- chandelier arms or base
- doorknobs
- inside a wreath
- around a chair back
- around vintage decor, like candy canes, bottle brush trees, and more
- add to Christmas tree decorations
- ornament tops
- door handles or cabinet pulls
- light fixtures (be sure to keep them far away from the bulb)
- lamp bases
- basket front or side
- end of a swag or banner
- tops of small trees
- around display jars
Simply walk around your home and see what rooms and areas need a bit of holiday cheer and color. Ribbons can do that!
How many yards of ribbon do I need for a Christmas bow?
The amount of ribbon to use completely depends upon the type of ribbon or bow you want and where you are putting it.
If you are simply choosing to tie ribbons onto some strategic places in your home decor, this can be done for less than one yard.
Larger bows with many loops may require up to 4 yards.
You can even do my favorite ribbon layered style with less yardage. Keep reading for more info on the length of ribbon needed for different looks.
My 3 favorite ways to add personal style with ribbon
Full disclosure, I have been a ribbon freak for a long time, and the holidays is such a fun time to bust out all my favorites.
Ribbon is such an easy way to add color, pattern, and personal style. These three ways are my favorite of adding ribbon and bows to my home decor.
Lots of layers of ribbon
I don’t think it’s a secret that I am a maximalist. So when it comes to ribbon, less ribbon isn’t really an option.
It’s a great time to dig into the bins where I hoard vintage ribbon, recycled ribbon lengths from gift wrapping, and even fabric for large bows. So my all time favorite way to enjoy ribbon is in layers!
There is a bit of an art to layering several ribbons and having them work. So let me break down my process with a step-by-step tutorial.
- Start with a “hero” ribbon. This will be the base wider ribbon. Mine is 4 inches wide. I can’t resist plaid ribbons and this one had all the holiday colors with blue. I often decorate with blue and white at the holidays. If you plan to make a matching bow loop, this should be a wired ribbon. The rest can be non-wired ribbon. I kept my ribbons all the same lengths, but for more dimension, you can finish them off in different lengths.
- The next layer should be 1 inch thinner than the wide ribbon, and a different texture. When you are layering, you want to be able to see each choice. The tatted lace I chose is vintage, and was once on the edge of a bed sheet. Luckily, when the sheet was no longer viable, someone cut the lace off and saved it. And I purchased it at an estate sale long ago, in a giant bag of scraps. This is a great way to recycle small lengths of vintage lace and ribbon.
- The third layer here is a striped grosgrain. It is half the width of the second ribbon. Rotate different colors with each choice but stay within the scheme of your hero ribbon.
- The next two additions of ribbon add variety. The white ribbon is a jumbo rick rack which brings a mix of shape and texture. The other thin striped ribbon is a vintage piece I salvaged from something I purchased long ago. I love the blue!
- The last three ribbons added are thinner ribbons. One is a striped grosgrain, and the other a solid chambray color with a white edging. The red and white rick rack like ribbon/trim brings more variety of texture and color.
- Depending on where you are using your layered ribbon cluster, I like to have a variety of 8-10 ribbons.
- The thinnest ribbon is the one that will tie all the other ribbons together. I just love metallic ribbons, and this one is super strong to withstand the pulling and knotting when I bring it all together. I also used it to tie up my large simple bow that sits on top. Simply pinch the center together and tie the ribbons, manipulating and folding the widest ribbon as needed. Tightly secure the thin ribbon in a knot.
- You can make a bow for the top or just leave the cluster pinched in the center and attached to wherever you are using it.
- Finally, to finish off your layers of ribbon, trim the end of the ribbon as desired. I like a fork-tongue finish, but some of the textured ones I finished with straight lines.
- Note that this layering method can go from an elegant look to a casual country theme. It all depends on the choice and quality of the ribbon used.
Add a big, huge bow
When I was visiting my family in California a few weeks back, my BFF and I went to a vintage show where we were obsessing over all the cute Christmas decor they had.
She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture of an adorable English cottage in the Cotswolds, with huge bows tied on a doorknob. I was hooked. You know what they say, “go big or go home.” Ha!
So when I went home, I went big. I headed over to Hobby Lobby for some gingham fabric (duh, what else?) and set out to create some giant bows in my Christmas decor.
The easiest way to do this is to cut a slit in the end of your fabric and tear it on the grain. No sewing or choppy cutting required!
I purchased 3 yards of this green and white gingham and ripped the full lengths into 7 inch widths. The extra long tales of the bow are super overstated and fun. I have them on doorknobs and chair backs so far.
They would also look great on the top of your tree or even wrapped around the base container. But nothing is safe yet, as I still love to tweak and decorate throughout the season.
This handsome fellow wears his bow well. Although, check out the dirty look he gave me when I put it on him! Hahahahaha!
Tie ribbon on just about anywhere
Once you begin tying ribbons on decor, nothing will go unadorned.
Whether you add tree ribbons, swag them as banners, tie on the corners of garlands, or make a million different bows on everything, one thing is for sure. You will be hooked.
If you are new to ribbons, the gateway ribbon (or first choice) should be a soft 3/8″ ribbon that hangs well and can introduce you to all the places ribbons can live during the Christmas season and beyond.
A slimmer one at 1/4″, and a one inch option will be just the right width to get your feet wet in obsessive ribbon tying!
The right ribbon for the job
When purchasing ribbon, you definitely want one with a luxurious feel so it hangs right. It’s all about the hang!
Satin ribbons, silk ribbons, and organzas will give you that designer look that makes using ribbon so fun. But textured ribbons, even laces and vintage pieces, will really add extra personal style to your overall design.
And I know, the first time you try the layered ribbon look, there will be no going back! You can find ribbon at craft stores, fabric stores, and specialty shops. Look in the fabric trim area as well.
Don’t forget to search for vintage options too.
My ribbon love affair story
The obsession with ribbon began as a child. My hair was always long, and my mother would put grosgrain ribbons in it when it was up in a bun. I loved them so much! Of course, I still have a few of them.
Fast forward to the 90s when I owned a scrapbook store for 10 plus years.
We had a huge long wall full of slatwall (about 75 feet) that was filled top to bottom with bolts of ribbon that we sold by the yard! People were obsessed.
Obvi, buying for the shop was the most fun as I could have all the best ribbons in every color at my disposal. So when I closed the shop, I kept one 8 foot length of slatwall that hangs in my current craft room with all the ribbons I wanted to keep.
Needless to say, I have waaaay more than the average person. But it is pretty fun to be able to go down there and choose ribbon for any project I am doing.
I also have more ribbons in my little gift wrapping area set up in the basement. This is a super convenient way to have everything together for quick gift wrapping.
I hope you try my favorite layered ribbon technique. Tell me in the comments your favorite ribbon story. There’s just something about ribbons that seems like a lost art.
Check back for more Christmas prep and design tips, along with lifestyle hacks. There’s more fun coming soon.
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Thank you! I think those ribbons really make it fabulous. Glad you like it.
Omg!!! I love the frosted wreath with the ribbons!! Fabulous!!