Ribbon Christmas Tree: 14 Designer Looks You Can Pull Off With Dollar Store Ribbon

A ribbon Christmas tree is the easiest way to make a plain tree look like it came out of a fancy store window. And here is the good news: you do not need fancy ribbon to pull it off. A few rolls from Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby or Michaels can turn a simple green tree into the thing every guest stops to admire. Searches for it jump every year before Thanksgiving, and Southern Living even shares a full guide to wrapping ribbon on a tree. So which style fits your home best? Below you will find 14 looks, from velvet bows to plaid cascades, each with a short supply list and easy steps..

The Classic Waterfall Ribbon Christmas Tree

Let’s start with the look everyone is saving right now. The waterfall style uses wide ribbon cut into long strips that run from the top of the tree straight down to the floor, like soft streams of fabric. Wired ribbon is the secret, because it holds a gentle wave instead of falling flat. Pick ribbon that is 2.5 to 4 inches wide so it reads from across the room. Space your strips evenly, about every 10 to 12 inches around the tree. Want more drama? Layer a narrower ribbon on top of each strip. This one trick alone can make a basic ribbon Christmas tree look like a department store display..

You will need: 3 to 4 rolls of 2.5 to 4 inch wired ribbon (Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby), floral wire, sharp scissors.

How to make it: 1. Tuck one end of ribbon into the branches right under the topper and twist floral wire around it to hold. 2. Let the ribbon fall straight down, pushing a small loop into the branches every 10 inches to make soft waves. 3. Cut it at the bottom, notch the end and repeat around the tree.

Red Velvet Bows Everywhere

If you love that rich, cozy lodge feeling, this one is for you. Instead of long strips, you tie 20 to 30 small velvet bows and clip them all over the tree. Red velvet against green branches is a classic pairing that never looks dated. It is the look you see in high end catalogs every December, and it costs a fraction of the price when you tie the bows yourself. Velvet ribbon from the dollar store works great because the bows are small, so nobody can tell. Put the bows deep in the branches and on the tips so the tree has depth. Isn’t it amazing how simple bows can feel so special?

You will need: 2 to 3 rolls of red velvet ribbon about 1.5 inches wide, pipe cleaners or floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 18 inch pieces and tie each one into a simple bow. 2. Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center knot, leaving the ends long. 3. Twist each bow onto a branch, inside and on the tips.

A Plaid Ribbon Christmas Tree With Farmhouse Charm

Plaid just feels like Christmas, doesn’t it? For a farmhouse look, use red and green tartan or black and white buffalo check ribbon in loose, relaxed loops. You are not aiming for perfect here. Add a wood bead garland draped in soft swags and tuck a few natural pine cones near the trunk. The mix of plaid, wood and pine feels warm and homey, and it pairs well with shiplap walls or a wood mantel. A plaid ribbon Christmas tree also hides gaps in a thin or older artificial tree. Just keep pushing loops into any bare spots until the whole tree looks full and happy. It even works on a slim pencil tree.

You will need: 2 to 3 rolls of plaid wired ribbon, 1 wood bead garland, 10 to 15 pine cones, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Start at the top, push a ribbon loop into the branches and wire it. 2. Move down and around the tree, making a new loop every 8 to 10 inches. 3. Drape the bead garland in swags and wire pine cones near the trunk.

The Old Money Ralph Lauren Look

This is the style that has people searching for Ralph Lauren Christmas trees by the thousands. It is rich, layered and a little bit old fashioned in the best way. The recipe is simple: deep green and red tartan ribbon, brass bells, gold ornaments and a few faux greenery picks like holly or cedar. Picture a dark paneled study or a library corner with leather chairs. You can get that same feeling in a regular living room with the right mix. Keep the colors tight, just red, green, gold and brass. Thrift stores are full of old brass bells, so check there first. A few velvet bows tucked in between finishes the look nicely.

You will need: 2 rolls of tartan wired ribbon, 10 to 12 brass bells, gold ball ornaments, holly or cedar picks, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Run tartan ribbon in loose cascades from top to bottom. 2. Hang brass bells and gold balls in the open spaces between the ribbon. 3. Tuck greenery picks in last to fill gaps.

Pink Vintage Grandma Ribbon Christmas Tree

Do you remember Grandma’s tree with the shiny glass balls and the tinsel? This look brings all of that back with a soft pink twist. Use blush and rose satin ribbon in gentle loops, then add vintage style glass ornaments in pink, mint and silver. A little old fashioned tinsel makes the whole thing sparkle. This pink ribbon Christmas tree feels sweet and nostalgic without looking childish. It works great in a bedroom, a dining room or anywhere you want a softer holiday feel. Check antique malls and thrift stores for real vintage ornaments, or grab new ones made to look old. Mix in a few pale pink bows for an extra touch of charm.

You will need: 2 rolls of blush or pink satin ribbon, vintage style glass ornaments, silver tinsel, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Loop pink ribbon around the tree in soft, wide curves and wire it in place. 2. Hang glass ornaments in clusters of two or three. 3. Drape thin strands of tinsel last for sparkle.

All White Winter Ribbon Swags

Want your tree to look like it is standing in fresh snow? Go all white. Soft white and cream ribbon on a flocked tree looks calm, clean and very elegant. If your tree is green, that works too, since the white ribbon will pop even more. Linen ribbon gives a relaxed, natural feel, while satin looks a little more formal. Add cream and pearl ornaments, then tuck a few faux snow picks into the branches. This style is perfect for modern homes, neutral living rooms or anyone who loves a quiet, cozy winter look. It also looks gorgeous in photos. Keep the lights warm white so it does not feel cold.

You will need: 2 to 3 rolls of white or cream linen ribbon, cream and pearl ornaments, faux snow picks, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Drape ribbon in loose swags, top to bottom. 2. Hang cream ornaments evenly around the tree. 3. Tuck snow picks into empty spots for a frosted finish.

Two-Tone Interlaced Ribbon Loops

Here is a designer trick that adds instant depth. Instead of using one ribbon, you twist two together before tucking each loop into the tree. Gold with cream looks soft and glowing. Red with plaid looks bold and festive. The two textures play off each other and make the tree look layered and full, even if you only use a few ornaments. Wired ribbon helps both pieces hold their shape. Hold the two ribbons together like one, then make your loops as usual. Try it on just the front of the tree first and see how much richer and fuller it looks right away. It is a small trick with a big payoff.

You will need: 2 coordinating rolls of wired ribbon (such as gold and cream), floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Lay one ribbon on top of the other and give them a loose twist. 2. Make a loop with both, push it into the branches and wire it. 3. Keep going down and around the tree, twisting before each new loop.

Horizontal Swag Ribbon Christmas Tree

Not everyone loves the top to bottom look, and that is okay. A horizontal swag ribbon Christmas tree uses ribbon the way you would use garland, draped around the tree in soft curves. It feels classic and a bit traditional, like the trees you remember from childhood. You will need about 25 to 50 feet of ribbon depending on the size of your tree. Start at the top with small swags and make them a little deeper as you move down. This keeps the shape balanced. Ornament hooks are a sneaky helper here, since you can hang the ribbon on them at each high point. It is quick, easy and very pretty.

You will need: 25 to 50 feet of wired ribbon, ornament hooks, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Attach the ribbon near the top with floral wire. 2. Drape it around the tree in shallow swags, hooking it to branches every 12 to 18 inches. 3. Make the swags slightly deeper as you go down.

The Tiny Bow Tree

This might be the trendiest look of the season. Skip the big ribbon entirely and cover your tree in tiny bows. That’s it. Dozens of little bows made from 5/8 inch ribbon create a sweet, minimal style that feels fresh and modern. You can stick to one color, like cream or soft red, or mix two shades for a playful touch. It is a perfect project for a quiet evening with a movie on. Clip the bows on with small clips or wire so you can reuse them next year. Want them to stay put? A low temp glue gun works well for attaching the bows to clips. Simple, cute and so easy.

You will need: 3 to 4 rolls of 5/8 inch ribbon, small clothespin clips or thin floral wire, scissors, low temp glue gun.

How to make it: 1. Cut ribbon into 10 inch pieces and tie each one into a small bow. 2. Glue each bow onto a small clip, or wrap thin wire around the knot. 3. Clip the bows all over the tree evenly.

Burlap and Lace Rustic Ribbon

Burlap and lace is one of those pairings that just feels like home. The rough burlap gives texture, and the soft lace adds a pretty, gentle touch. Together they make a cozy country tree that fits right into a farmhouse kitchen or a log cabin living room. Make loose burlap loops around the tree, then let short lace ribbon tails hang down from a few of them. Galvanized ornaments and little metal stars finish the look. Burlap ribbon is very cheap at dollar stores, so this is a great budget option. Does your home lean more country than glam? This one will make you smile every time you walk by.

You will need: 2 rolls of burlap ribbon, 1 roll of lace ribbon, galvanized metal ornaments, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Make burlap loops around the tree, wiring each one into the branches. 2. Cut lace ribbon into 12 inch pieces and tie them to the base of some loops so they hang down. 3. Hang galvanized ornaments in the open spaces.

Blue and Silver Ribbon Tree

Blue and silver feels calm, cool and wintry, and it is a lovely change from red and green. Navy velvet ribbon brings richness, while silver mesh ribbon adds a frosty shimmer. Together they look like a starry winter night. This color mix works well for a winter themed home that stays up through January, and it is a nice fit for families who celebrate Hanukkah too. Add silver ball ornaments and a few clear glass ones to keep it light. If your room has gray or white walls, this tree will look stunning. Try alternating the two ribbons as you work around the tree so the colors stay balanced from every side.

You will need: 1 to 2 rolls of navy velvet ribbon, 1 to 2 rolls of silver mesh ribbon, silver and clear ornaments, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Loop the navy ribbon down the tree in loose cascades. 2. Add silver mesh loops in between the navy ones. 3. Hang silver and clear ornaments evenly to fill the gaps.

A Giant Bow Topper for Your Ribbon Christmas Tree

Who says you need a star? A giant bow topper is the finishing touch that ties a ribbon Christmas tree together, literally. Make one oversized bow with six to eight loops and let two long tails fall down the front of the tree. It looks dramatic and expensive, yet it only takes about 15 minutes. Use 4 inch wired ribbon so the loops hold their shape and stand tall. A zip tie at the center makes it sturdy, and floral wire attaches it to the top branch. Match the topper to the ribbon on your tree or pick one bold color to stand out. Your guests will notice it before anything else.

You will need: 1 roll of 4 inch wired ribbon (about 5 yards), floral wire, a zip tie, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make 6 to 8 loops, pinching them at the center. 2. Secure the center with a zip tie, then wrap floral wire around it. 3. Wire the bow to the top branch and let two long tails flow down the front.

Ribbon Christmas Tree on a Budget: The Dollar Store Kit

Here is the part everyone wants to know. Can you really do a whole ribbon Christmas tree for under $20? Yes, you can. The rule of thumb is about 9 feet of ribbon for every foot of tree height. So a 7 foot tree needs around 63 feet, which is about 7 to 8 rolls of Dollar Tree ribbon. Pick two colors that go together and buy them all at once so the shades match. Wired ribbon looks best, but even plain ribbon works if you pin it with wire. Spend the savings on a nice topper bow or a few special ornaments. Your tree will look like it cost ten times more.

You will need: 7 to 8 rolls of Dollar Tree wired ribbon (for a 7 foot tree), 1 pack of floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Multiply your tree height in feet by 9 to get the feet of ribbon you need. 2. Pick one main ribbon and one accent ribbon. 3. Use the main ribbon for cascades and the accent for loops and bows.

Ribbon Tails Tucked Into Mini Trees

Love the ribbon look so much you want it in every room? Good news, the same trick works on small trees too. Tabletop and pencil trees look adorable with narrow ribbon tails and mini bows. Put one on the kitchen counter, a pair by the front door or a little one on your nightstand. Use ribbon about 1 inch wide so it fits the smaller scale. Match the colors to your big tree so the whole house feels connected, or try a fun new color in each room. These mini trees also make thoughtful gifts for neighbors and teachers. Which room in your home could use a little ribbon magic this year?

You will need: Small tabletop or pencil trees, 1 inch ribbon, mini bows, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Tuck one end of a short ribbon into the top of the mini tree. 2. Let the ribbon fall down the side in a soft tail and wire it in place. 3. Add two or three mini bows to finish.