How to Make a Bow for a Christmas Tree (DIY Ribbon Decor)

There’s nothing like the sparkle of a Christmas tree filled with lights, ornaments, and a few perfectly placed ribbons. Making your own bows is an easy, inexpensive way to add color, fill in gaps, and add your own style to the tree.

I’ve got a quick story for you about how this all started. Years ago, I visited a fancy garden center in Cincinnati with my mother-in-law, and the Christmas tree displays were absolutely spectacular.

The tree ribbons were gorgeous, but they were also way out of my budget! Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much they added to the trees. I realized that if I could just find ribbons I loved, I could create a beautiful custom look at home for a fraction of the price. And this is the result.

Nowadays, there are so many more beautiful ribbons available and fun designs to try. Stay tuned as my ribbon “bucket list” is long!

You’ll Love this Tree Trick

Your Christmas tree is already full of charm, but does it sometimes feel like there’s room for a little more dazzle?

DIY bows are an easy, budget-friendly way to add color, shimmer, and personality to your tree! They fill in empty spaces, tie your look and decorations together, and give you back complete creative control.

Plus, it’s a fun craft you can do with family or on your own while listening to holiday music.

All you need are a few rolls of beautiful wire-edged ribbon, a pair of sharp scissors, and some craft floral wire.

Variations

Color combos Mix metallics with soft neutrals for a classic look.
Layered bows Use two or more ribbons stacked together for more texture.
Themed bows Incorporate patterned ribbons like plaid, polka dots, or holiday prints.
Mini bows Create smaller bows for garlands, gifts, or ornament accents.

How to Make a Bow

Once you have your supplies gathered, start by unrolling a bit of ribbon and testing out the size. Hold the loops together in your hands to see how tall you want the bow to be and how long you’d like the tails.

Keep adjusting until you like the shape. You can make your bow small and sweet or big and dramatic. This Christmas tree is your personal masterpiece, so design it the way you love.

Next, cut a short piece of floral wire to secure the center of the bow. A seven-inch piece works well and gives you enough length to twist and fasten easily. Set the wire aside so it’s ready for the next step.

When you’re ready, fold your ribbon back and forth into a loose “W” shape, but create three small pinched points in the center instead of one. This helps give the bow more fullness and structure. Refer to the drawing below if you want a visual guide.

Now, gather all four lower points by gently folding and scrunching them together into one bundle. Hold this small “trunk” firmly, then wrap the floral wire around it a few times until it feels tight and secure.

Pull the ribbon tails outward on each side and shape them the way you like. Then gently arch and form the three ribbon petals to give your bow a full, finished look.

To finish the tails, trim each end into a neat chevron “V” shape. For a crisp, symmetrical cut, work on one tail at a time.

Fold the tail end in half with the right sides together, then snip diagonally from the fold out toward the outer corner. Unfold the ribbon and adjust it until the wire edges sit just the way you like.

And just like that, your first bow is complete. The more you make, the quicker and easier it gets. I promise!

Instruction Guide

Here’s a quick, step-by-step guide to how to make a bow for your Christmas tree. Pin it, save it, and come back anytime if you need a refresh!

You don’t need any hooks to display your bows. Simply nestle them into the branches, curling and tucking the ribbon as you go so they blend naturally with the tree. I hope you love the finished look!