One of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas is by using ribbon in many creative ways. Read on for 7 practical tips and ideas to incorporate ribbon into your holiday decor this year.
I’m sharing some of the ribbon techniques I use every season. I keep my ribbon stash for years—colors and styles come back into fashion, and a good selection makes it easy to refresh your look annually. My advice: buy what you love, store it carefully, and reuse it each year.
I enjoy sharing all things related to Christmas decor: the best artificial trees, ideas for decorating bedrooms for the holidays, and how to add wreaths to kitchen cabinets. My goal is to help you create a warm, festive home for the season.
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1. Ornaments Hung with Velvet Ribbon
Velvet ribbon brings a lush, cozy feel to holiday decor and is perfect for hanging ornaments. Many ornaments arrive with twine or simple hanger loops—swap those out for thin velvet ribbon for an elevated look. A narrow velvet ribbon works especially well on chandeliers, branches, or decorative hooks.
Recommended size:
- 3/8 inch velvet ribbon
Hanging ornaments from chandeliers or light fixtures is an unexpected and charming touch—thin velvet ribbon is ideal for this. You can use the same approach to hang ornaments from curtain rods, garland, or wreaths.
2. Add Ribbon to Garlands
Ribbon adds color, texture, and movement to garlands. It’s an easy way to tie a color scheme together or add a pop of contrast on mantels, stair banisters, or doorways.
Recommended ribbon types:
- 1 1/2 inch satin or grosgrain ribbon
- 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 inch wired-edge ribbon for structured bows
For a subtle touch, tie small bows or tuck ribbon loops into the greenery and let the tails flow. For a bolder statement, use wired ribbon to create larger bows and sculpted tails that hold their shape along stair banisters or across mantels.
3. Ribbon on the Christmas Tree
Ribbon on the tree is a classic choice. Whether you weave wide wired ribbon through branches, cascade thin ribbons between ornaments, or fashion bows, ribbon adds depth and cohesion to your tree’s design.
Recommended choices:
- Wired ribbon for structure (especially 2 1/2 inch or wider)
- Satin ribbon for softer, tied accents if you’re placing small bows on branches
My favorite ribbons for trees include plaids, buffalo checks, velvet, metallic gold, and traditional red-and-white combinations. A practical tip: don’t be afraid to cut the ribbon roll into several 2–3 foot pieces and weave the sections through the tree. Shorter lengths are often easier to manipulate and give a more natural, layered look.
4. Use Ribbon to Hang Wreaths from Cabinets
Hanging small wreaths from kitchen cabinet doors with a coordinating ribbon creates a charming, cohesive look that’s become a personal tradition. It’s an easy, low-cost update that instantly brings holiday cheer to everyday spaces.
Recommended sizes:
- 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 inch ribbon works beautifully
You can swap ribbons and wreaths year to year to refresh the look, and this technique also works well on interior doors, windows, and hooks around the home.
5. Decorate Gifts with Ribbon
Beautifully wrapped gifts are part of the holiday presentation. Ribbon instantly elevates plain paper—tie a bow, add an ornament or a sprig of greenery, and the package feels intentionally styled. This is a great place to use up smaller ribbon scraps and mix textures for an artisanal look.
Recommended approach:
- Use any ribbon on hand—mix widths and textures for interest.
Embellishments such as small wreaths, ornaments, or specialty gift tags add personality. After-holiday sales are perfect for picking up embellishments to build your collection for next season.
6. Add a Ribbon Bow to a Wreath
Tying a bow directly on a wreath instantly upgrades its style. Use wired ribbon for structured, full bows, or satin and grosgrain for softer, classic bows. A well-made bow is often the focal point of the wreath.
Recommended sizes:
- 1 1/2 inch satin or grosgrain ribbon
- 1 1/2 to 2 inch wired ribbon for fuller bows
Whether you prefer simple single-loop bows or layered, multi-loop bows, the ribbon choice will determine the overall look—play with texture, print, and scale to complement your wreath and surrounding decor.
7. Add Ribbon to Lamps
Tying ribbon into bows on lamp bases or lamp shades is a nostalgic and cheerful detail that’s easy to recreate. Use wired ribbon so the bow keeps its shape and holds up over the season.
Recommended size:
- 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 inch wired ribbon
From lamp bows to ribbon wrapped around stocking hangers, jars, or canisters, ribbon is an affordable and versatile way to refresh your holiday styling. A small amount of ribbon can transform everyday objects into festive accents.
More Christmas ideas you might enjoy:
- Creative Christmas tree collar ideas
- Primary bedroom holiday decor tips
- Printable Christmas decor and gift tags
Ribbon is one of the simplest, most effective finishes for holiday decorating. Whether used sparingly or in abundance, it brings color, texture, and personality to every corner of your home. Have fun experimenting and let ribbon help tell your holiday story this year.