How to Make and Decorate a Christmas Bow

Guide Note Christmas decorating would not be complete without beautifully wrapped Christmas presents topped with festive bows, and making your own bows can add a unique flair to any gift! Homemade Christmas bows can also become beautiful Christmas tree toppers. Christmas bows are a great way to add cheer to your home and your packages. This page discusses some of the many ways bows can be used at Christmas time. If you are looking for how to create bows, check out Mahalo's How to Make a Bow and How to Tie a Bow.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Choosing Christmas Ribbon
• Decorating with Bows
• Tips for Using on Packages
• Wrapping Ribbon Around a Package
• Embellishing Your Bows
• Conclusion
• References

Christmas Bow Tips

1. Make your bows using a ribbon that coordinates with your home's decor.
2. Velvet ribbon can difficult for beginners to use.
3. Wired ribbon holds its shape better than non-wired ribbon.
4. You can make almost anything "holiday" by gluing a bows onto it.
5. Embellish your bows by adding items that matches the wrapping paper.

Mahalo Christmas How Tos

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Personalize your wrapped presents with a spectacular Christmas bow

• by Darcy Logan

Introduction

• Christmas decorating wouldn't be complete without a few bows. You can find them everywhere, including the tops of Christmas trees and Christmas Presents, and any other object that will sit still long enough.

• What separates Christmas bows from other bows is not how they are made, but rather when they are used (typically anytime between Halloween and Christmas Day). While some colors and materials are more popular than others, there are no set rules regarding Christmas bows. Therefore, this page will talk about the various ways you can use Christmas bows as decorations on packages and in your home. If you are looking for information on how to create a bow, check out Mahalo's How to Tie a Bow and How to Make a Bow.

Choosing Christmas Ribbon

• Ribbon is simply a narrow piece of fabric, often tied up in a decorative way.¹ Typically, ribbon is made from silk, cotton, rayon, or nylon. However, they are defined more by the way they are woven.² Although red and green are traditional Christmas colors, you may want to pick a ribbon with a pattern that coordinates with your home's decor. If you can't, stick to using more universal colors like silver and gold.³

• Here are some of the more popular types of ribbon used at Christmas time. For more information on the different types of ribbon, check out Choosing a Type of Ribbon on the How to Tie a Bow page.
  • 

    (Creative Commons photo by Jessica Merz)
    Curling ribbon is designed to coil when drawn across a hard surface, like the blunt edge of a scissors.⁴
  • Jacquard ribbon has an intricate woven pattern on it.⁵
  • Metallic ribbon gets its sparkly looks from metallic fibers.²
  • Picot Edge ribbon is a smooth ribbon with small loops made of thread along the edges.⁵
  • Poly ribbon is smooth and made out of polypropylene.⁶ It may also be weather-resistant.⁷
  • Raffia, which comes from a fiber made of leaves, is similar to twine.¹
  • Satin ribbon is smooth surface with a shine on one side.⁸ It is inexpensive and easy to hold, which makes it good for beginners.⁹
    • 1. Double-faced satin ribbon is glossy on both sides.¹⁰
      2. Two-sided satin ribbon has different colored sides.¹⁰
  • Velvet ribbon is thick with a soft surface on one side.¹ It can be difficult for beginners to use.⁹

Wired versus Non-Wired

• Most varieties of ribbon are available in both wired and non-wired varieties. Most bows can be made using either type of wire. However, some bows (that are cut) require non-wired ribbon.
  • Non-wired ribbon is more versatile and allows you to use multiple colors if you wish.⁶
  • Wired ribbon has a thin line of wire on one or both sides.¹ It holds its shape easier and is nearly "crush-proof."⁹ It allows you to adjust it until you get the bow as you want it.¹¹

Decorating with Bows

• Bows are a great, inexpensive way to decorate your home for Christmas. You can make almost anything holiday-themed by gluing a few red or green bows onto it.¹² For beginners, it may be best to start making bows using cheaper ribbon. However, once you get good at making your bows, you will want to invest in expensive ribbon and save your bows for use every year.¹³ Here are a few ideas on how to use bows in your holiday decor.

Transforming Everyday Decorations Using Bows

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by versageek)
   Decorate any tree (indoors or out) using a few strand of lights with some red and green bows.¹³
2. Add bows to your houseplants (either around a container or on the branches).¹³
3. Pin bows to your curtains or use them as tiebacks.¹²
4. Tie bows around your banister.³
5. Other places you should consider adding bows include on entryway mirrors, sconces, mailboxes, mantels and handrails.¹⁴

Making Christmas Decorations Using Bows

1. Decorate your bathroom by gluing bows (and other unbreakable ornaments) to the outside of a shower curtain.¹²
2. Adorn inexpensive lampshades with fabric bows and use them on your lamps at Christmas.¹²
3. Tie a bow around a few cinnamon sticks for an attractive way to scent your home.¹²
4. Hang a large bow at the top of a piece of ribbon and use it to attach any Christmas cards you receive.¹²
5. Make "Christmas bears" by tying bows around the necks of stuffed bears.¹²
6. Place several poly bows on a door or other flat surface in the shape of a tree, a wreath, or even spell out "Merry Christmas."¹⁵

Use Bows to Decorate Your Table Settings

1. Tie a bow around each napkin and place one atop the place setting.¹⁶ You could even insert a candy cane.
2. Make holiday place mats by gluing ribbon and bows to red or green place mats.¹²
3. Tie red, green or gold bows around the stems of your wine glasses.¹²
4. Tie bows around the candlesticks.³
5. Tie bows around the outside spindles of your chairs.¹⁷

Use Bows to Decorate Your Doors

1. Use oversized bows on your front or garage doors.¹³
2. Create a giant present by covering your doors with paper and adding a bow.¹⁸
3. Tie bows on the door handles in your house.¹³
4. Tie a few bells together using a ribbon, then tie it above your doors so the bells will ring when the door is opened.¹²
5. Tie a bow around your door knocker.¹⁷

Tips for Using Ribbons and Bows on Packages

• While it can be tempting to simply stick a bow on top of your package, it can be more rewarding (for you and the recipient) if you spend a little time touching up the bow on top of the gift. Here are some tips on how to enhance your gift's bow:

1. You can curl the ends of your ribbon using a scissors. Lightly press the ribbon between your thumb and the blunt end of a pair of scissors. Gently pull the ribbon through in a downward direction. The amount of curl depends on the amount of pressure you use.¹⁹
2. Instead of tape, use stickers to attach your ribbon or bows.²⁰
3. Shred the ends of your ribbons after curling using your fingernail or a scissors to separate the ends and pulling gently.²¹
4. Choose a color of ribbon that contrasts nicely with your wrapping paper, such as a black bow on white paper.¹⁹
5. Don't be afraid to use more than one color.¹⁹

• • For more information, check out Mahalo's How to Wrap Presents.

Wrapping Ribbon Around a Package

• If you want to wrap the ribbon around your package before tying your bow, there are a couple of ways to do it. The simplest method is to wrap the ribbon once around the box and then tie your bow without knotting the ribbon in the center.²² This eliminates the need to hold the knot. You can also wrap the ribbon around the corners of your box.²¹ However, if you want to wrap the ribbon around both directions, here's how to do it:

1. Place your box on top of your ribbon. One end of the ribbon should be slightly longer than the other.
2. Wrap the ribbon around the length of your box.²³
3. When you get to the center, cross the two pieces of ribbon.²³
4. Wrap the longer end of ribbon around the width of your box.²³
5. Tie the two ends of ribbon in a single knot.²⁴
6. Place your thumb on the center or ask a helper to hold the knot with one finger.^{23 24}

• Once your ribbon is wrapped around your package, you can use the ends to tie a classic bow or winged bow. You can also use the ends to attach any of the bows listed on How to Make a Bow page.

Embellishing Your Bows

• 

  (Creative Commons photo by Heather Garland)
  No matter how fancy your bow is, embellishing it will always make it look a little nicer. When considering what to add, you might want to try and match the item to your wrapping paper. For example, use a reindeer ornament on a gift wrapped in reindeer paper.²⁵ While this section focuses on embellishing bows on packages, many of these methods can be used to embellish bows hung other places as well.

1. Tape two candy canes facing each other so they make a heart.²⁰
2. Tuck a piece of artificial greenery or a few pine sprigs next to the bow.²⁶
3. Cut out holiday shapes from felt to use. Punch a hole into the shape and add to the ribbon or bow.²⁷
4. Thread a few bells on to a piece of cord and tie to the bow.²⁷
5. If you have an old Christmas carol book (or print out pages from the net), roll up a sheet of it and tie it with a ribbon. Then, add it to your package.²⁸
6. Add a few living pieces of greenery to your packages if you are taking them to a party.²⁸
7. Use wired tinsel to create stars on top of your packages.²⁹
8. For a daintier look, use miniature ornaments, pine cones or small sprigs on your package.³⁰
9. For small packages, attach tiny wooden cutouts from a craft store.³¹
10. Write the person's name onto a miniature stocking using a glitter pen and tie it to the present.²⁵
11. Silk flowers such as poinsettias can be inserted or tied to the bow.²⁵
12. Tie a few cinnamon sticks with a ribbon and attach.²⁵
13. Add glitter to highlight your bow. Use a glue pen to draw on your package, ribbon or bow. Then, sprinkle the glue with glitter or Christmas confetti.¹⁹
14. Instead of ribbon, wrap a band of contrasting wrapping paper around the package.³¹
15. Cut out images from last year's Christmas cards and use them as gift tags or decoration on top of packages.³²
16. Other embellishments can include pine cones, berry picks, mistletoe and red bells.³¹

Double Gifts

• Double gifts are items you can use with or instead of bows on your packages that are presents in and of themselves.

1. Use fancy ponytail holders to tie packages (especially good for gift bags).³³
2. Attach an ornament to the bow of packages.²⁰ You can use wire, ribbon or hot glue to secure them onto the package.³¹
3. Attach a small toy on top of packages for children.²⁰
4. For a child's gift, use a jump rope around the package instead of holiday ribbon.³⁴
5. After tying ribbon around your package, attach a floral brooch or Christmas pin to the knot.³¹
6. Take a piece of ribbon that is long enough to wrap around the present. Cut slots into the narrow ends of a gift tag. Thread tag onto the ribbon and attach it to your present.³⁵
7. Lace your ribbon with wooden or plastic beads before using.³⁶
8. For a man's gift, use a holiday neck-tie instead of ribbon.³⁶
9. For a woman's gift, use a nice scarf instead of the ribbon.³⁶
10. For music lovers, roll up the sheet music of their favorite Christmas carol and tie it with a ribbon.²⁸
11. Add winter mittens on top of the gift.²⁵
12. Tuck a big candy cane under the bow.²⁵
13. Attach a couple of servings of cocoa to the bow.²⁵
14. Add a small picture frame ornament with your favorite holiday photo to the package.²⁵

Conclusion

• Now that you have topped everything in your house with bows, you're probably hungry for some real Christmas food. If so, check out How to Bake Christmas Cookies, How to Build a Gingerbread House, How to Decorate Christmas Cupcakes, How to Make Gingerbread Men or How to Make a Yule Log.

• If you still need to purchase more Christmas presents, then you will find Mahalo's pages on How to Buy Gifts for Co-Workers, How to Buy Gifts on a Budget, How to Choose Stocking Stuffers, How to Choose the Right Gift, How to Make Gift Baskets, How to Make Your Own Gifts, How to Organize Holiday Shopping, How to Ship Christmas Gifts and How to Wrap Presents.

References for How to Make a Christmas Bow

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions R-Z
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} MarthaStewart.com: Ribbon Glossary
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Lowe's: Ten Holiday Tips
4. ↑ Google Book Search: Creative Bows Made Easy
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} WeddingChannel.com: Favors: Glossary - Definitions H-P
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} GiftBasketOnlineNewsletter.com: Tie Up More Profits with Beautiful Bows (October 21, 2008)
7. ↑ MasterBow: Ribbon Descriptions
8. ↑ JKM Ribbon & Trims: Helpful Hints: Did You Know? - Useful Ribbon Info
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Crafttown.com: Bow making
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} ZestBit: Personalized Ribbon
11. ↑ About.com: Holiday Gift Wrapping Tips, p.2  
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9} All Things Christmas: 101 Holidays Decorating Ideas for the Holiday Season  
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4} Interior and Health: Decorating Your Home for Christmas (September 26, 2008)
14. ↑ FamilyCorner.com: Elegant Bows for Easy Holiday Decor  
15. ↑ Decorate with Bows: FAQ and Tips for use
16. ↑ MarthaStewart.com: Fit to Be Tied: Ribbon Crafts, p.3
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Designing Online: Ten Inexpensive Holiday Decorating Tips
18. ↑ The BathroomGuru Review: How to Create a Modern Christmas Theme for Your Bathroom
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3} BBC: A Beginner's Guide to Wrapping Presents
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3} Mom Central: Wrapping Presents
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Expert Village: How to Use Ribbons for Wrapping Gifts (Time: 2:41)  
22. ↑ Heidi: How to Tie a Bow
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3} MarthaStewart.com: The Perfect Package    
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} DIY Network: Bow Basics
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7} Pioneer Thinking: 25 Festive Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas
26. ↑ About.com: Holiday Gift Wrapping Tips  
27. ↑ ^{27.0 27.1} MarthaStewart.com: Sealed with Mistletoe
28. ↑ ^{28.0 28.1 28.2} ThreadBanger: Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas
29. ↑ MarthaStewart.com: Tinsel Stars
30. ↑ MarthaStewart.com: Gift Tags
31. ↑ ^{31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4} Christmas For All: Last Minute Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas (December 20, 2006)
32. ↑ RealSimple.com: Creative Wrapping Ideas, p.5
33. ↑ RealSimple.com: Creative Wrapping Ideas, p.3
34. ↑ RealSimple.com: Creative Wrapping Ideas, p.2
35. ↑ MarthaStewart.com: Holiday Gift Adornments
36. ↑ ^{36.0 36.1 36.2} Howdini: Creative and Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas