Ribbon is the single fastest way to make a Christmas tree look finished. It fills gaps between branches, carries color from the top of the tree to the bottom, and makes even a small set of ornaments look planned.
The good news is that you only need a few basic techniques. Bows, cascades and spirals cover almost every look in this list, and all three use the same wired ribbon you can find in any craft store.
Every tree below is a real decorated tree, so you can see how the ribbon actually sits before you copy it. The first three ideas are full builds with materials and steps, and the rest are styling ideas you can adapt to your own colors.
One buying tip before you start: always choose wired ribbon for tree work. The wire edge is what lets bows hold their loops and cascades hold their waves.
Quick Picks
- Fastest: Idea 8, long velvet ribbon tails, is just cut, hang and go.
- Most classic: Idea 1, a tree full of burgundy velvet bows you tie yourself.
- Biggest drama: Idea 2, red ribbon cascades falling from the topper.
1. A Tree Full of Burgundy Velvet Bows
A tree covered in neat velvet bows looks expensive, and it is one of the easiest ribbon looks to copy. Each bow is made and tied separately, then wired onto the branches one by one. Burgundy velvet is the classic choice because it reads rich in daylight and glows against the lights at night.
⏱ 1 hour💲 Medium🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- One roll of burgundy velvet wired ribbon, 2.5 inch wide
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Floral wire or pipe cleaners for ties
- A tree with warm white lights already on
How to Make It
- Cut a 24 inch length of ribbon for each bow. A 10 yard roll makes about 12 bows.
- Loop the ribbon into two even loops with two tails, pinch the center tight and twist a short piece of floral wire around the middle.
- Fluff the loops open and trim the tails at an angle or into a V notch.
- Wire each bow onto a branch tip, working from the top of the tree down so the spacing stays even.
- Step back every few bows and fill the gaps, rather than crowding one side of the tree.
Tip: Make all the bows first in one sitting. Tying them one by one at the tree takes twice as long and the sizes drift as you go.
2. Red Ribbon Cascades From the Topper
The cascade is the decorator trick that makes a tree look styled in one move. Lengths of ribbon start under the topper and fall down the tree in loose waves, tucked into the branches as they go. It fills a sparse tree fast and gives plain ornaments a rich background.
⏱ 45 minutes💲 Medium🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- wide crushed velvet wired ribbon or satin ribbon, 4 inch wide for a bold cascade
- Scissors
- Floral wire
- A topper or large bow to hide the starting point
How to Make It
- Cut 5 to 7 lengths of ribbon, each about 1.5 yards long.
- Wire the top of each length under the topper or behind a big top bow, spacing them evenly around the tree.
- Let each length fall down the tree, pushing a soft S curve of ribbon deep into the branches every 8 to 10 inches and letting it billow out between tucks.
- Trim the ends so they finish at different heights, and cut each end at an angle.
- Tuck the very ends into the branches so no cut edge hangs in the air.
Tip: Start the cascades slightly off the top center. Cascades that begin at slightly different points look natural instead of like stripes.
3. Black Mesh Ribbon Spiral on a White Tree
A white tree with a black ribbon spiral is bold, modern and surprisingly easy. Wide mesh ribbon holds its shape around the tree, and the black against white branches needs almost no other decoration. This is a strong look for a hallway, a teen room or a black and white home.
⏱ 40 minutes💲 Low to medium🛠 Easy
Materials Needed
- Black deco mesh ribbon, 10 inch wide roll, cut into lengths
- Scissors
- A white or flocked tree
- Black, white or silver ornaments to match
How to Make It
- Cut the mesh roll into lengths of about 2 yards each. Mesh tangles on the roll, so cut pieces are easier.
- Start at the top and wind the first length around the tree in a loose spiral, tucking it deep between branch rows.
- Join the next length inside the branches where the join will not show, and keep the spiral spacing even as you go down.
- Poof each section of mesh outward with your fingers so the spiral looks full, not flat.
- Finish with black and white ornaments placed along the spiral line.
Tip: Work in daylight if you can. Judging even spacing on a white tree under warm evening light is harder than it looks.
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Christmas planner, 24 advent activity cards, 36 gift tags, handmade labels, Santa letter and family games.
4. Layered Statement Bows in Cream and Burlap
Instead of many small bows, this tree uses a few big layered bows as the main event. Each bow stacks a wide burlap layer under a soft cream layer, so the bows read as ornaments in their own right. With bows this size, six to eight are enough for a full tree.
You’ll need: Two ribbons with different textures, like cream satin and burlap, plus floral wire.
Best for: Farmhouse and neutral living rooms
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5. Simple Red Bows on a Slim Tree
On a slim tree, one simple red bow on the tip of each branch is enough. The bows follow the shape of the tree, add color at every level and leave room for a few favorite ornaments. It is the sweetest low cost look in this whole list.
You’ll need: Red satin or velvet ribbon, 1.5 to 2.5 inch wide, scissors and twist ties.
Best for: Small rooms, slim trees and first apartments
6. Patterned Ribbon on a Nutcracker Tree
Patterned ribbon carries a themed tree. On this nutcracker tree the ribbon winds between the branches in loose waves and its pattern does the decorating, while the nutcracker figures sit in front like actors on a stage. Pick a ribbon pattern first, then match ornaments to it, not the other way round.
You’ll need: Patterned ribbon such as plaid or harlequin, nutcracker ornaments and solid ball ornaments.
Best for: Playful family rooms and nutcracker collectors
7. Dark Ribbon With Gold for a Moody Tree
Dark ribbon with gold is the evening look. The ribbon disappears into the shadowy parts of the tree, so the gold ornaments seem to float on the surface and catch every bit of light. It is dramatic, grown up and perfect for a dining room tree.
You’ll need: Dark ribbon in black, deep green or burgundy, gold ornaments and warm lights.
Best for: Dining rooms and evening focused spaces
8. Long Velvet Ribbon Tails
Here the ribbon is not tied into bows at all. Long velvet lengths hang from high branches and fall in soft tails almost to the floor of the tree. The movement makes the tree feel romantic and a little bit vintage, and it takes minutes once the ribbon is cut.
You’ll need: Burgundy velvet ribbon, wired, cut into long lengths, plus a few simple ornaments.
Best for: Romantic and vintage inspired rooms
9. Ribbon Streamers Everywhere
This tree skips the rules completely and drapes ribbon streamers all over, in every direction, for a joyful, overflowing look. The trick is to keep the colors in one family so it reads as celebration rather than clutter. Great for a family room where the tree should feel fun.
You’ll need: Several rolls of ribbon in matching colors, scissors and patience.
Best for: Fun family trees and maximalist decorators
10. Mixed Velvet Bows in Three Colors
Mixing bow colors works when the ribbon fabric stays the same. These velvet bows in green, pink and red sit side by side on the tree, and because every bow is the same velvet and the same size, the mix looks deliberate and designer, like candy in a box.
You’ll need: Velvet ribbon in three colors, floral wire and scissors.
Best for: Colorful and eclectic homes
11. Classic Plaid Ribbon by the Fireplace
The plaid ribbon tree by the fireplace is the picture everyone pictures. Plaid ribbon loops around the tree in soft garlands, and classic red and gold ornaments fill the rest. If you only ever learn one ribbon look, make it this one, because it suits almost every home and never dates.
You’ll need: Plaid ribbon, 2.5 to 4 inch wide, plus classic red and gold ornaments.
Best for: Traditional homes and fireplace corners
Frequently Asked Questions
Should tree ribbon be wired or non wired?
Wired ribbon, always. The wire in the edges lets you shape loops and tails, poof out flat spots and re shape the ribbon after storage. Non wired ribbon hangs limp on a tree and is much harder to place neatly.
What width of ribbon works best on a Christmas tree?
For bows and cascades, 2.5 inch (about 6cm) ribbon is the sweet spot. For big statement bows and wide spirals, 4 inch ribbon reads better from across the room. Slim trees and tabletop trees look best with 1.5 to 2.5 inch ribbon.
How much ribbon do I need for one tree?
Plan on one 10 yard roll for bows on a slim tree, and two to three rolls for cascades or a spiral on a full 7 foot tree. Buy one extra roll from the same batch if you can, because ribbon sells out fast in December and dye lots vary.
Is it better to cut ribbon into pieces or use one long roll?
Cut the ribbon into separate lengths of about 1 to 1.5 yards for cascades and spirals, instead of winding one long roll around the tree. Separate pieces are easier to tuck deep into the branches, they sit fuller, and you can reuse them next year without a tangled roll.
How do I stop ribbon tails looking unfinished?
Cut the ends at a sharp angle or into a V notch, called a dovetail. Slide the cut about an inch up the ribbon center to make the V. Finished ends stop the ribbon looking like it was torn off the roll.
How do I store tree ribbon for next year?
Untie or unpin the ribbon before you pack the tree away, coil each piece loosely and store the coils in a box so they do not crush. Velvet ribbon should never be folded hard or ironed on the pile side. A cool steamer lifts most storage wrinkles.
Final Thoughts on Christmas Tree Ribbon Ideas
Ribbon is the hardest working decoration on any tree. It fills gaps, adds color deep inside the branches and makes simple ornaments look planned. Start with one technique, bows if you are new, a cascade if you want drama, and keep the ribbon wired so it behaves. Once ribbon is on the tree, everything else you add looks better.
