When it comes to decorating your Christmas tree, creating an extra-special look doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. In fact, elevating your holiday tree’s style can be as simple as adding some pretty ribbon.
The ribbon is an easy, budget-friendly way to transform your Christmas tree this year. Even just a few rolls of ribbon can make a dramatic difference, putting a much-needed finishing touch on a tree. Whether you choose something colorful, patterned, or full of sparkle, Christmas ribbons can be the perfect addition to your holiday décor.
The dedicated decorators and tree-trimming experts at St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles have put together a helpful holiday guide to using ribbon to enhance your Christmas tree. With these tips, you can learn how to decorate with Christmas ribbon in a way that suits your holiday style.
How to Use Ribbon to Decorate a Christmas Tree
You can often find a ribbon on traditionally decorated Christmas trees, but that doesn’t mean that this decorative element is limited to a classic holiday style. There are many ways to get creative with your Christmas ribbons of choice, designing a completely personalized look you love.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to use ribbon on a Christmas tree, including how much you’ll need and different decorating ideas.
How much Ribbon do I need for my Christmas tree?
Understandably, the most common question on the topic has to do with how much ribbon is needed to decorate a Christmas tree.
There are many different factors that will determine the amount of ribbon for decorating a Christmas tree. For the average Christmas tree (around 7-7.5 feet tall), these basic guidelines are a good place to start:
- Wider ribbon styles (approx. 4” wide): About 7 rolls needed
- Narrower ribbon styles (1-2” wide): 4-6 rolls
Many people opt to use wide styles as the central focus of their ribbon décor, with narrower styles for accents. Others prefer ribbon as a tree-topper, in which case you’ll need about 1 yard for a single-loop, medium bow, or 3 yards for three-loop bows. A larger tree-topper bow requires about 5-7 yards, including a few feet for the “tails” of the bow.
These estimates are helpful, but you can get a better idea of how much Christmas ribbon to buy for a tree by asking yourself the following questions:
- How tall is your tree?
- Is your tree slender, medium, or full?
- Do you want a dramatic look with lots of ribbon or just a subtle touch?
- How are you planning to put the ribbon on the tree? Bows, draped, etc.? (More details on that in our how-to below)
Don’t forget to look closely at the specific length of each roll of ribbon you’re considering. The most common roll length is 10 feet, but some designer ribbons measure 5 feet total. Other rolls are larger, offering solid-colored ribbons in lengths up to 50 feet.
It’s always a good idea to buy a little extra ribbon so that you don’t end up running short in the middle of decorating. If you end up with leftovers, you can easily use it for gift-wrapping or holiday décor accents elsewhere in your home!
What kind of ribbon is used on a Christmas tree?
Ribbon is a wonderfully inexpensive way to change up your tree’s style every year, through the introduction of new colors or themes. Even as you continue to use your cherished holiday ornaments and collection of classic bulbs, ribbons can easily be switched to suit new trends or shifting tastes. Wired ribbon tends to be ideal since it is much easier to manipulate and position (and it will hold a specific position as well).
St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles has dozens of ribbon varieties to choose from, with more than 175 styles and counting. So, whether you’re searching for something contemporary chic, vintage-inspired, or traditional, you can absolutely find it here.
In addition to holiday ribbons, Accent mesh is widely used by decorating professionals (as well as home décor enthusiasts). You’ll need about three rolls for a 7.5-foot tree. Place it into interior spaces to fill empty spots and add color and dimension, then add on the rest of your decorations.
How to Use Ribbon on a Christmas tree
One last step before you buy your ribbon: formulate a plan for how you’d like to use it.
Ribbon is a wonderfully inexpensive way to change up your tree’s style every year, through the introduction of new colors or themes. The types of ribbon you select is up to you, but for a professionally styled look, refer to these guidelines:
- You can incorporate two or three widths of ribbon for visual interest.
- Different combinations of ribbons can have significantly different effects. For example, you can choose a sheer and a solid of the same color, choosing neutral ivory for an understated look or a vibrant shade for a modern pop of color. Or, you can pair a patterned ribbon, like one in a red checked pattern, with coordinating colors.
- If you prefer a more simple, minimalistic style, using a single style of ribbon is always an option.
Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way to choose ribbons for a Christmas tree – so feel free to set your creative Christmas spirit free!
Some ways to use ribbon for decorating a Christmas tree include:
- Wrap the ribbon around your tree like a garland, starting at the backside of the top of the tree and working your way down and around.
- Cascade ribbon down from the top of the tree in elegant spirals.
- Create bows from the ribbon and place them throughout your tree for a sweet, spirited touch.
- Make an oversized bow from ribbon for a stunning tree-topper.
- Instead of standard ornament hooks, use a narrow ribbon to upgrade the overall look.
If it’s your first time decorating a Christmas tree with ribbon, it may take a few tries to achieve the style you’ve envisioned – but that’s ok! Have fun with the process, and don’t hesitate to get the whole family involved if you’d like.
Tree Decorating Neccessities from St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles
Whether you’re searching for holiday ribbons, personalized Christmas ornaments, or even a brand-new artificial tree, St. Nick’s Christmas & Collectibles has everything you need to fill your home with festive cheer. Shopping at our famous Colorado Christmas store has been a tradition for generations of families, and now, you can shop our selection online as well!
Your holiday décor should be beautiful, meaningful, and true to your style – and of course, affordable is always a plus. St. Nick’s has collected a diverse selection of décor, with options for everyone to love. From vintage flair to traditional chic, our Christmas products come in every style imaginable.
Find all of your seasonal necessities for Christmas 2021 and beyond when you browse our full selection of holiday décor, gifts, and more today! Visit our Christmas store in Denver or start shopping online now.
