Bows
How to tie a Christmas Tree Bow?
How to Tie a Christmas Tree Bow – Or Make It Easy with a Ready-Made Bow
Christmas tree bows have become a firm favourite for festive decorating, with velvet, satin and oversized bows appearing on trees, garlands, wreaths and shop displays.
A beautifully tied bow can completely change the look of a Christmas tree, but creating one that sits evenly, holds its shape and looks full from every angle is not always as easy as it appears in online tutorials.
If you enjoy making your own decorations, we have put together a few simple tips below. And if you would rather skip the fiddly part, our ready-made Christmas bows are tied for you and arrive ready to use.
How to Tie a Christmas Tree Bow
You do not need complicated equipment, but using the right ribbon and taking your time makes a big difference.
1. Choose Your Ribbon
Wider ribbon creates a fuller bow and works particularly well for larger Christmas trees. Satin, velvet and wired ribbon are all popular choices.
If you want a bow that holds a strong shape, wired ribbon is particularly useful because the loops and tails can be adjusted after the bow has been tied.
2. Create Two Even Loops
Start by creating one loop on each side of the centre point. Try to keep both loops roughly the same size.
Pinch the ribbon firmly in the centre so the loops do not slip while you work.
3. Add More Loops for a Fuller Bow
For a larger, more luxurious bow, continue creating loops on alternating sides while holding the centre tightly.
The more loops you add, the fuller the finished bow will look.
4. Secure the Centre
Once you are happy with the shape, secure the middle with wire, a cable tie or a narrow piece of ribbon.
You can then wrap a small piece of coordinating ribbon around the centre to hide the fastening and create a neat finish.
5. Add the Ribbon Tails
Cut two tails to the length you need and attach them to the back of the bow.
For a traditional finish, cut the ends into a V shape. For a softer look, use a diagonal cut.
6. Shape the Bow
This is the part that makes the biggest visual difference. Gently pull the loops apart, turn them in slightly different directions and arrange the tails so the bow looks balanced.
If you are using wired ribbon, you can shape each loop until you are happy with the result.
Why Christmas Bows Can Be Tricky to Make
The principle of tying a bow is simple, but creating one that looks professional can take practice.
Common problems include:
- Uneven loops
- Ribbon tails that sit at different angles
- A centre knot that becomes bulky
- Loops that collapse instead of holding their shape
- Using more ribbon than expected
- Struggling to make several bows look consistent
If you only need one bow and enjoy crafting, making your own can be part of the fun. If you need several matching bows, or simply want them to look consistent, ready-made bows can save a lot of time.
Ready-Made Christmas Tree Bows
Our ready-made Christmas bows are tied by our experienced team and arrive ready to attach to your tree, garland, wreath or festive display.
They are a useful option if you want several bows to match, are decorating a larger tree or simply do not want to spend an afternoon trying to make every loop identical.
Why Choose Ready-Made Bows?
- Consistent shape – ideal when you need several bows to match.
- Ready to use – simply attach them to your tree or display.
- Choice of colours – coordinate with traditional, contemporary or branded Christmas décor.
- Suitable for homes and businesses – use them on trees, garlands, shop displays and gift presentation.
- Made by an experienced bow-making team – we have produced bows for retail displays, corporate events and gift wrapping for many years.
Personalised Christmas Bows for Businesses
Bows do not have to be purely decorative. Businesses can also use personalised bows printed with a company name, logo or festive message.
Branded bows work particularly well for office Christmas trees, retail displays, customer gifts, event décor and seasonal promotional displays.
See our personalised bows for more options.
Use Personalised Ribbon on Your Christmas Tree
Another way to add something unique to your decorations is to use personalised ribbon throughout the tree.
Narrow printed ribbon can be used for hanging baubles and decorations, while wider personalised ribbon can be incorporated into bows, garlands and tree styling.
You could print:
- A family name
- Merry Christmas
- A business logo
- A charity message
- A festive event name
- A short personalised greeting
For more ideas, visit our personalised Christmas ribbon page for bauble ribbon, branded gift ribbon, hamper ribbon, metallic print and full-colour festive designs.
Christmas Bows for Shops, Offices & Festive Displays
Larger bows can also be used beyond the Christmas tree itself.
Retailers, offices, venues and businesses use bows on shop displays, reception areas, garlands, large gifts and seasonal installations to create a coordinated festive look.
If you are planning a larger Christmas display or need bows in specific colours and sizes, our team can help you choose a suitable option.
Planning Your Christmas Decorations?
Whether you are decorating one Christmas tree at home or planning festive displays across several business locations, ribbon and bows are an easy way to create a coordinated look.
If you enjoy making your own bows, choose a ribbon that holds its shape and allow yourself plenty of time to adjust the loops and tails.
If you would rather have the bows prepared for you, browse our ready-made Christmas bow collection.
SHOP CHRISTMAS TREE BOWS EXPLORE PERSONALISED CHRISTMAS RIBBON