Christmas Bow Decor: 14 Easy Ribbon Ideas That Make Your Home Look Like a Boutique

Christmas bow decor is the sweetest trend of the season, and the best part is that a few spools of ribbon can make your whole home feel like a fancy little boutique. You do not need a big budget or special skills. If you can tie your shoes, you can tie a bow. Stores are selling bow garlands for over a hundred dollars, yet the same look takes an evening, a cup of cocoa and some ribbon from the craft aisle. Bows feel soft, cozy and a little bit old fashioned, like the presents under Grandma’s tree. Below you will find 14 easy ideas for the tree, the front door, the dining table and even the kitchen. Grab your scissors and your favorite red ribbon, because once you start tying, it is very hard to stop..

Christmas Bow Decor on the Tree Instead of Ornaments

Skip the boxes of glass balls this year and dress the whole tree in bows. Red velvet and cream satin look rich together, and the tree suddenly feels like something from a magazine. Because bows are soft, there is nothing to break if a pet or a toddler gets curious. Start with the biggest bows near the bottom and work smaller as you go up. Add a matching garland on the mantel and the whole room looks planned. Which two colors would you pick for your tree..

You will need: Two rolls of wired velvet ribbon in red and cream, scissors, thin floral wire or twist ties, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 30 inch lengths for big bows and 18 inch lengths for small ones. 2. Tie each piece into a bow and fluff the loops with your fingers. 3. Wire the bows onto the branches, alternating colors and filling any gaps.

Fabric Strip Bow Garland

An old flannel shirt or a few fat quarters of plaid fabric can become the cutest garland in the house. You simply tear the fabric into strips, so there is no sewing and no perfect cutting. The frayed edges are part of the charm and give it that cozy cabin look. It is one of the cheapest pieces of Christmas bow decor you can make. Hang it over a console, a doorway or a bunk bed in the kids room. It costs almost nothing and you can make it while you watch a holiday movie. Do you have a plaid shirt waiting in the closet?

You will need: Plaid cotton or flannel fabric, scissors, jute twine, a few small clothespins or tape for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Snip the fabric edge every 2 inches and tear it into long strips. 2. Cut the strips into 14 inch pieces and tie each one into a bow around the twine. 3. Space the bows about 6 inches apart and hang the garland with small hooks.

Christmas Bow Decor for the Front Door

One giant bow on the front door makes neighbors slow down as they walk by. It is bold, simple and works on any color door, though it looks extra striking on green, black or navy. The trick is wide ribbon with wire edges, so the loops stay puffy even in wind and cold. Add a pine swag above and two little potted trees, and your entry looks like a holiday card. Would a giant bow fit on your front door this year?

You will need: About 4 yards of 6 inch wide wired ribbon, a zip tie, scissors, an over the door hook or strong removable hook.

How to make it: 1. Make four big loops, pinching the ribbon in the center each time. 2. Wrap the center tightly with a zip tie and cover it with a short piece of ribbon. 3. Cut long tails at an angle and hang the bow at eye level.

Paper Bow Garland

If ribbon runs low, paper works just as well. Kraft paper and leftover striped wrapping paper fold into crisp little bows that look sweet in a kitchen window. This is a perfect project to do with kids at the table, since there are no hot tools at all. Yahoo Life shared a bow garland DIY that costs under five dollars, proof that this trend is as cheap as it is cute. Which paper is hiding in your gift wrap bin right now?

You will need: Kraft paper, striped or patterned wrapping paper, scissors, a glue stick, baker’s twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut paper strips 1.5 inches wide and 10 inches long. 2. Fold both ends to the middle to make loops, glue them, then wrap a small strip around the center. 3. Glue a 4 inch tail strip on the back and tie each bow onto the twine.

Bow Topped Wreath

A plain store wreath can look high end with one great bow. Sheer red ribbon with a little shimmer catches the light and makes the greenery look fuller. Place the bow a little off center at the top or bottom for a modern look, or right in the middle for a classic one. This is the fastest Christmas bow decor upgrade in the whole list and takes about five minutes. If you have a wreath from last year, pull it out and give it a fresh new bow tonight.

You will need: A green wreath, 3 yards of wired sheer or satin ribbon, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make a bow with six loops and secure the center with floral wire. 2. Use the wire ends to attach the bow to the wreath frame. 3. Fluff the loops and trim the tails into a V shape.

Christmas Bow Decor at the Dining Table

Tie a big velvet bow on every chair and the whole dining room feels ready for a party. It is the kind of detail guests notice the moment they sit down. Deep green looks rich and pairs well with white chairs or warm wood. Tuck in a sprig of cedar or rosemary for a fresh smell. The bows come off in seconds, so you can leave them up all season without worry. Who is coming to your holiday table this year?

You will need: Wide velvet ribbon in dark green, scissors, small evergreen sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Cut a 2 yard length of ribbon for each chair. 2. Wrap it around the chair back and tie a big bow in the center. 3. Tuck a sprig of greenery into the knot and even out the tails.

Mini Bow Ornaments From Ribbon Scraps

Every crafter has a bag of ribbon scraps that are too short for gifts. This is their moment to become Christmas bow decor. Tie them into little bows and clip them on the tree branches for a cheerful pop of color. Mix satin, velvet and grosgrain for texture, or keep them all one shade for a calm, elegant tree. Little hands love helping with this one, and it is a lovely way to use up every last inch. How many scraps are hiding in your craft drawer?

You will need: Ribbon scraps at least 10 inches long, scissors, mini clothespins or thin wire.

How to make it: 1. Tie each scrap into a small bow and trim the ends at an angle. 2. Glue or wire the bow onto a mini clothespin. 3. Clip the bows all over the tree, spacing colors evenly.

Bow Tied Stockings

Plain knit stockings look extra cozy with a velvet bow at the top. This Christmas bow decor trick is a quick way to make old stockings feel new without buying a whole set. Burgundy against cream looks warm and grown up, while bright red feels more playful for kids. If you do not have a mantel, a simple wooden peg rail works just as well. Add a little sprig of pine to each bow for a fresh finish. Which color bow would suit your family stockings?

You will need: Stockings, 1.5 inch velvet ribbon, small evergreen sprigs, safety pins or a few hand stitches.

How to make it: 1. Tie a bow with long tails for each stocking. 2. Pin or stitch the bow to the top cuff near the hanging loop. 3. Slide a small sprig of greenery behind each knot.

Christmas Bow Decor for Curtains

Curtains are easy to forget at Christmas, yet a pair of big satin bows makes a window look dressed for the season. Swap your regular tiebacks for wide red ribbon and the whole room gets a little brighter. It also lets more daylight in, which feels lovely on short winter days. A pine sprig in each knot gives a soft woodland touch. When the holidays end, just untie them and put the old tiebacks back. Which window in your home gets the most attention?

You will need: 2 yards of wide satin ribbon per curtain panel, small pine sprigs, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Gather each curtain panel at about one third of its height. 2. Wrap the ribbon around it twice and tie a big bow facing the room. 3. Tuck a pine sprig into the knot and trim the tails evenly.

Burlap Bow With Pine Cones

For rustic farmhouse Christmas bow decor, burlap bows are hard to beat. They hold their shape well and look lovely with natural pine cones from the yard. Use one big bow as a tree topper, or tuck several into the branches. You can also add one to a banister, a basket or a lantern on the porch. Burlap ribbon is cheap and sold in big rolls, so one roll goes a long way. Have you collected any pine cones on your walks lately?

You will need: Wired burlap ribbon, 3 small pine cones, floral wire, a low temp glue gun (adult help).

How to make it: 1. Make a bow with four large loops and secure it with floral wire. 2. With an adult, glue the pine cones into the center of the bow. 3. Wire the bow to the top of the tree or onto a branch.

Bow Napkin Rings

Napkin rings can be pricey, but a strip of plaid ribbon does the same job for pennies. Fold the napkin, tie a bow around the middle and slip in a sprig of rosemary. Each place setting suddenly looks thoughtful and warm. Guests can even take the rosemary home. If you love handmade touches like this, our easy DIY Christmas gifts are full of ideas that look far more expensive than they are. How many seats will you set this year?

You will need: Cloth napkins, 18 inch lengths of plaid ribbon, fresh rosemary sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Fold each napkin into a neat rectangle. 2. Wrap the ribbon around the middle and tie a small bow on top. 3. Slide a rosemary sprig under the knot and set it on the plate.

Christmas Bow Decor in the Kitchen

The kitchen is where everyone gathers, so why not give it a little holiday cheer too? Tie tiny bows on the cabinet knobs and the room looks festive in ten minutes. Thin velvet ribbon works best because it grips the knob and does not slide. Keep bows away from the stove and oven, and stick to doors that are not opened all day long. A bowl of clementines on the counter finishes the look. Which cabinets get the most love in your kitchen?

You will need: Thin velvet ribbon about half an inch wide, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut 12 inch lengths of ribbon. 2. Wrap each piece around the base of a knob and tie a small bow. 3. Trim the ends at an angle so they do not fray.

Bow Trimmed Lampshade

A plain lampshade is a blank canvas. Add a row of tiny bows along the bottom edge and it turns into charming Christmas bow decor that glows every evening. This is a gentle, no glue project if you stitch or tie the bows on, and it comes off easily after the season. Choose ribbon in a single color to keep it classic. It looks especially sweet in a reading corner or a guest room. Is there a lamp in your home that needs a little love?

You will need: A fabric lampshade, quarter inch velvet ribbon, a needle and thread or fabric tape.

How to make it: 1. Tie 15 to 20 tiny bows from 6 inch pieces of ribbon. 2. Space them evenly around the bottom edge of the shade. 3. Attach each one with a few stitches or a small piece of fabric tape, keeping them away from the bulb.

Satin Bow Window Garland

Finish your Christmas bow decor with a soft swag of satin bows across a big window. Cream and blush pink feel fresh and pretty, and they look lovely against a snowy view. Hang the garland in a gentle curve so it frames the glass without blocking the light. It is a sweet change from the usual red and green, and it works right through winter. Light, easy and very charming. Which colors will you tie first this weekend?

You will need: Satin ribbon in two soft colors, thin gold ribbon or cord, scissors, two removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Tie 12 to 15 bows from 16 inch pieces of satin ribbon. 2. Knot each bow onto the gold cord about 8 inches apart. 3. Hang the cord from hooks at the top corners of the window so it dips in the middle.