How To Use Christmas Tree Ribbons, Bows and Baubles To Decorate
Ever wondered how some Christmas trees look so professional? We’ll let you in on a secret: it’s the details.
Small elements such as Christmas tree ribbon and Christmas tree bows can transform a tree from simple to stunning. These finishing touches bring elegance and cohesion, tying the look together rather than relying only on baubles and lights.
Learn how to style your Christmas tree ribbon and Christmas tree bows in our guide below. No matter if you're a beginner Christmas tree decorator or a pro, you’ll have your tree looking professional by the end of this guide.
Why Use Christmas Tree Ribbons & Bows?
Many of us just use baubles and tinsel to decorate our trees, but adding ribbons and bows can really elevate your tree and create a professionally styled look.
Ribbons and bows bring depth, texture, and balance to your Christmas tree, while also complementing your chosen theme. For example, if you're going with a traditional red, gold, and green colour scheme this year, then a red Christmas tree ribbon will look perfect.
They are also ideal for filling empty spaces and breaking up clusters of baubles.
How To Choose The Right Christmas Tree Ribbon
There are lots of different Christmas tree ribbon colours and textures to choose from, as well as a wired ribbon which is easier to style since it holds its shape.
You also want to consider the width of the ribbon; wider ribbons create a bold-looking tree while narrower ribbons are perfect for intricate detailing.
These are the most common colours of festive ribbons -
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Red Christmas tree ribbon - Classic and traditional.
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Satin or velvet ribbon - Ideal for a luxurious touch.
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Plain Christmas ribbon - Perfect for rustic farmhouse styles.
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Gold/Silver ribbon - Adds glamour and winter sparkle.
How To Style Christmas Tree Ribbon
You can style Christmas tree ribbon in a variety of ways, such as -
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Wrapping - Just like how you wrap tinsel and Christmas lights, you can wrap Christmas tree ribbon around your tree diagonally.
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Vertical drops - Let the ribbon cascade down your tree by cutting it into strips and tucking it into the tree.
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Loops - Make loops with 12-18 inch sections of the ribbon, then create a bubbly look by tucking each loop into the tree a little. For extra volume, layer in another tone of the same colour.
Adding Christmas Tree Bows To Your Tree
To make Christmas tree bows, you should use wired ribbon so they can hold their shape and be easy to place on the tree.
Mixing different bow sizes creates visual interest, and combining materials like velvet and satin adds texture.
You could use a large Christmas tree bow as a topper, or scatter bows evenly across the tree, placing larger bows near the bottom and smaller ones towards the top.
Adding Christmas Baubles To Your Ribbon & Bows
Once you have the ribbons and bows on your tree, it’s time to add the baubles. We recommend sticking to the same colour scheme as the bows and ribbons and using a mix of glossy and matte to create texture.
You can use baubles to fill any gaps which are not covered by the ribbons and bows. Remember, larger baubles always go towards the base of the tree while smaller ones go towards the top with the smaller bows for detailing.
Professional Styling Tips For Your Christmas Tree
If you want to achieve that ‘professional look’ with your Christmas tree then here are some other professional styling tips.
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Think of your Christmas tree as thirds - Dividing your Christmas tree into top, middle and bottom can help you focus on each section and balance the decor evenly.
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Decorate in the right order - Always do your Christmas lights first, ribbon and bows, then your baubles and ornaments.
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Keep to your colour palette - Choose two colours, such as red and gol,d then an accent colour like silver, white or green. Match all your Christmas decor to these colours.
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Vary textures - Combining natural elements like pinecones, metallics and velvets helps stop the tree from looking flat.
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Don’t stick to the outside - Place your ribbon further in the tree, avoid just decorating the outskirts. Adding them deeper inside adds to the dimension of the tree and makes it look fuller.
Create Your Best-Looking Christmas Tree With Intention
Create a tree that reflects your style by decorating with intention using ribbons, bows, and baubles.
Whether you go traditional with a red Christmas tree ribbon or choose pastel satin for a touch of luxury, by sticking to your colour palette and balancing your decorations, your tree will look professionally styled and uniquely yours.
