How to Tie a Christmas Bow

Your Christmas bow guide

Tie a beautiful Christmas bow.

Easy, step-by-step pictures for a classic gift bow, a big wreath or tree topper bow, a layered florist bow and curled ribbon. Plus how to pick ribbon and how much to buy.

Start with a gift bowShop ribbon & bows
Beginner friendlyGifts, wreaths and treesGives back at Christmas

Pick your bow

Which bow are you tying?

Jump straight to the one you need. Each guide shows every step.

Guide 1

Classic gift bow

The shoelace-style bow for wrapped presents.

5 minutes · easy
Guide 2

Wreath & tree topper bow

A big, full, looped bow that holds its shape.

15 minutes · medium
Guide 3

Layered florist bow

Two or three ribbons stacked for a showstopper.

20 minutes · medium
Guide 4

Quick curled ribbon

Bouncy curls and pom-poms in a minute.

2 minutes · easy

Guide 1 · Gift wrapping

How to tie a classic gift bow

This is the bow most of us picture on a wrapped present. Once you've done it twice, you'll never need a stick-on bow again.

You'll need
  • Ribbon, 5/8 to 1.5 inches wide
  • About 1 to 1.5 yards for a shoebox-size gift
  • Sharp scissors

  1. Set the box on the ribbon

    Lay the ribbon on the table and set the box in the middle, top side up. Bring both ends up and over the top of the box.

  2. Cross and turn

    Cross the two ends at the center of the box top. Twist them a quarter turn so each end heads toward the other two sides.

  3. Wrap underneath and back up

    Bring the ends down around the sides and under the box. Cross them on the bottom and bring them back up to the top center.

  4. Tie a snug knot

    Tie a simple knot at the center, right where the ribbons cross. Pull it snug so the ribbon sits tight against the box.

  5. Make two loops

    Make a loop with each end, like bunny ears. Cross the right loop over the left, tuck it under and through, and pull both loops to tighten.

  6. Even it out and trim

    Tug the loops until they match. Fold each tail in half lengthwise and cut at an angle from the fold to make a neat V-notch.

Tip: before you cut the ribbon off the spool, run it around the box and leave about 18 extra inches on each end for the bow. It's easy to trim later and impossible to add back.

Guide 2 · Wreaths & trees

How to make a big wreath or tree topper bow

This florist-style bow is made in your hand, loop by loop, then wired at the center. Use wired ribbon so the loops stay full all season.

You'll need
  • 3 to 4 yards of 2.5-inch wired ribbon
  • A 12-inch piece of floral wire or a pipe cleaner
  • Sharp scissors

  1. Leave a tail, make the first loop

    Leave a tail about 12 inches long. Make a loop about 4 inches long and pinch the ribbon at the center between your thumb and finger.

  2. Twist, then loop the other side

    Give the ribbon a half twist at the pinch so the pretty side faces out, then make a matching loop on the other side. Skip the twist for double-sided ribbon.

  3. Keep going

    Keep twisting and looping side to side until you have 3 or 4 loops on each side. Make each new pair a little smaller so they stack nicely.

  4. Wire the center

    Wrap a piece of floral wire or a pipe cleaner tightly around the pinch and twist it at the back. Keep the wire ends long for attaching the bow.

  5. Fluff and shape

    Cut the second tail to match the first. Pull the loops apart one at a time, alternating top and bottom, and shape the tails into soft waves.

Making it a wreath bow

Make the loops about 5 to 6 inches long for a standard 22 to 24-inch wreath. Push the wire ends through the wreath and twist them tight around the frame at the back. Shape the tails so they curve out and down.

Making it a tree topper

Use a little more ribbon and add streamers: cut two or more long pieces, fold them in half and wire them behind the bow. Wire the bow to the top of the tree, then let the streamers cascade down, tucking them into the branches every foot or so.

Tip: a bow maker tool holds the loops for you while you work. It's handy if you're making several matching bows for windows, lanterns or garland.

Guide 3 · Showstopper

How to make a layered florist bow

Stack two or three ribbons and build the bow the same way as Guide 2. The layers give it a full, store-bought look.

You'll need
  • A wide wired ribbon for the base (2.5 inches)
  • A narrower ribbon for the top (1 to 1.5 inches)
  • Optional third ribbon: sheer, velvet or plaid
  • Floral wire or a pipe cleaner, scissors

  1. Stack your ribbons

    Lay the narrower ribbon on top of the wide one, both pretty side up and centered. Hold them together as if they were one ribbon.

  2. Leave tails and start looping

    Leave a 12-inch tail of both ribbons together. Make your first loop and pinch the stack at the center.

  3. Twist and loop side to side

    Twist the stack at the pinch so both pretty sides face out, then loop the other side. Repeat for 3 or 4 loops per side, getting a little smaller each time.

  4. Wire the center

    Wrap floral wire or a pipe cleaner tightly around the pinch and twist it at the back. Cut the second tails to match.

  5. Separate the layers

    As you fluff each loop, gently pull the top ribbon away from the base so both layers show. Shape the tails into waves and trim them with a V-notch.

Tip: keep the top ribbon narrower than the base so the bottom layer frames it. Red velvet over red and green plaid is a classic pairing.

Guide 4 · Quick and fun

How to curl ribbon

Curling ribbon is the thin, shiny plastic kind. It curls in seconds with the edge of a scissor blade. Fabric ribbons like satin or velvet won't curl this way.

You'll need
  • Curling ribbon
  • Scissors

  1. Cut and tie

    Cut pieces about 18 to 24 inches long. Tie them around the package, or tie several together in the middle with one more piece.

  2. Open the scissors

    Hold one strand tight. Open the scissors and press the ribbon against one blade with your thumb.

  3. Pull in one smooth motion

    Pull the ribbon quickly along the blade, away from your body. It springs into a curl. Press harder for tighter curls.

  4. Make a pom-pom

    Tie 6 to 10 strands together at the center, then curl every end. Fluff the curls with your fingers into a big, bouncy pom-pom.

Safety: always pull the ribbon away from your body, and have a grown-up handle the scissors when kids are helping.

Choosing ribbon

Wired, satin, velvet or burlap?

The right ribbon makes the bow. Here's what each type is best at.

Wired

A thin wire in each edge holds loops, tails and waves exactly where you put them.

Best for: wreaths, tree toppers, big bows

Satin

Smooth and shiny with a soft drape. Double-faced satin looks the same on both sides.

Best for: classic gift bows

Velvet

Plush and rich, with a timeless holiday look. Wired velvet is great for wreaths.

Best for: elegant gifts, garland, stockings

Burlap

Rustic and textured. Comes in natural and colored versions; choose wired for shape.

Best for: farmhouse wreaths and trees

Plaid

Cozy and traditional. Often wired, which makes it easy to shape into big bows.

Best for: wreaths, lanterns, mailboxes

Grosgrain

Ribbed, sturdy and matte. Holds a crisp knot and doesn't slip.

Best for: tailored gift bows, tags

Sheer

Light and see-through. Lovely layered over a solid ribbon.

Best for: layered bows, small gifts

Curling ribbon

Thin and inexpensive. Curls with a scissor blade in seconds.

Best for: quick curls, pom-poms
What width should I use?
ProjectRibbon width
Small gifts and gift bags3/8 to 5/8 inch
Standard gift boxes5/8 to 1.5 inches
Large gifts and baskets1.5 to 2.5 inches
Wreaths (22 to 24 inch)2.5 inches, wired
Tree toppers and outdoor wreaths2.5 to 4 inches, wired

How much ribbon?

Work out how much ribbon you need

To wrap a box both ways, you need twice the length, plus twice the width, plus four times the height. Then add extra for the knot and the bow.

Quick guide

Classic gift bow: add about 1 yard (36 inches) for the bow on top of the wrap.
Florist bow: about 2.5 to 3 yards.
Wreath bow: about 3 to 4 yards of 2.5-inch ribbon.
Tree topper with streamers: 3 yards for the bow, plus streamers about as long as your tree is tall.

You'll need about

2 yards

That's 98 inches, including 6 inches for the knot.

Measure the box with a tape measure in inches. The total is rounded up to the nearest quarter yard, so you have a little to spare.

Ribbon & bows

Ribbons and bows we love

Everything you need for gift bows, wreath bows and tree toppers, from wired ribbon to ready-made bows.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results in a new tab.

Questions

Christmas bow FAQ

How much ribbon do I need for a wreath bow?

For a full florist-style bow with 6 to 8 loops and two tails, plan on about 3 to 4 yards of 2.5-inch wired ribbon. Add more if you want long streamers.

What's the difference between wired and non-wired ribbon?

Wired ribbon has a thin wire sewn into each edge, so loops and tails hold whatever shape you give them. Non-wired ribbon like satin drapes softly and is best for small gift bows.

How do I attach a bow to a wreath or tree?

Use the long wire ends you twisted around the center of the bow. Push them through the wreath and twist them around the frame at the back. On a tree, wrap them around the top branch or center stem.

Why do my loops look flat?

Use wired ribbon for big bows, and fluff each loop by reaching inside and gently opening it. When you store bows, stuff the loops with tissue paper so they keep their shape.

Which side of the ribbon should face out?

With single-sided ribbon, give it a half twist at the center each time you make a loop so the pretty side always faces out. Double-faced ribbon looks the same on both sides, so you can skip the twist.

How do I cut ribbon ends so they don't fray?

Cut tails at a sharp angle, or fold the tail in half lengthwise and cut from the fold toward the edge to make a V-notch. Sharp fabric scissors give the cleanest edge.

Part of something bigger

The Great Christmas Project

This guide is a friend of The Great Christmas Project, where artists create, people give, and children receive, so no child wakes up on Christmas morning with nothing under the tree.

Visit The Great Christmas Project

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