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Christmas trees are a beloved holiday tradition, and decorating them is a fun way to express creativity. I love finding new ways to make my tree stand out each year. One classic decoration that’s making a big comeback is bows.
Adding bows to your Christmas tree can create a festive, elegant look without much effort or cost. I’ve found 16 great ideas for using bows on trees that range from simple to fancy. These tips work for all kinds of trees and styles. Whether you like traditional red bows or want to try something new, there are options to fit any taste.
1. Maximalist Christmas Tree Decoration
Get ahead of the game with this heavily decorated Christmas tree with bows. This is a stunning and beautiful choice for anyone who loves to create visual goodness, especially for the Christmas season.
2. Subtle Style Christmas Tree
Christmas is a great time to create Christmas de orations that are mindblowing and awesome. We love how subtle the design is and how the bows were minimally thrown in to elevate the entire look of the tree.
3. Velvet Red Bows
I love using velvet red bows on Christmas trees. They add a classic, luxurious touch that instantly makes the tree feel more festive.
I find that these bows look best when they’re large and fluffy. I usually place them strategically around the tree, focusing on the outer branches.
For a polished look, I make sure the bows are evenly spaced. I also like to vary their sizes slightly. This creates visual interest and depth.
The rich red color of velvet bows contrasts beautifully with green pine needles. It’s a timeless combination that never fails to impress guests during the holiday season.
4. Gold Glitter Bows
Gold glitter bows add a touch of sparkle to Christmas trees. I like using these shimmery decorations to create a festive look. They come in various sizes, from small accents to large tree toppers.
I find 16-inch wide gold glitter bows work well as eye-catching focal points. Smaller bows can be scattered throughout the tree for a cohesive theme.
When choosing gold glitter bows, I look for ones made with wired ribbon. This allows me to shape and fluff them easily. I also make sure the glitter is securely attached to avoid messy shedding.
Gold glitter bows pair nicely with other metallic ornaments and lights. They help reflect the glow of Christmas tree lights for an extra magical effect.
5. Buffalo Plaid Bows
Buffalo plaid bows are a trendy choice for Christmas trees. I love how they add a cozy, rustic feel to holiday decor. These bows come in classic red and black checks, perfect for a traditional look.
I’ve found that buffalo plaid bows work well with many tree styles. They pair nicely with green trees, flocked trees, and even white trees. I like to mix them with solid red or black ornaments for balance.
You can buy pre-made buffalo plaid bows or make your own. DIY versions let you customize the size and style. I think they look great as tree toppers, scattered throughout the branches, or tied onto garlands.
6. Burlap Rustic Bows
Burlap rustic bows add a charming, country-inspired touch to Christmas trees. I love how they blend natural textures with holiday cheer. These bows are easy to make at home using burlap ribbon.
To create burlap bows, I start with a wide burlap ribbon and form loops. I secure the center with wire or twine. For extra flair, I sometimes add a strip of red plaid ribbon in the middle.
Burlap bows look great as tree toppers or scattered throughout the branches. I like to pair them with pinecones and wooden ornaments for a cohesive rustic theme. Their neutral color complements both green and flocked trees nicely.
7. Silver Metallic Bows
Silver metallic bows add a touch of elegance to Christmas trees. I love how they catch the light and create a sparkling effect. These bows come in various sizes, from small accent pieces to large tree toppers.
For a cohesive look, I suggest using silver bows of different sizes throughout the tree. Placing larger bows near the bottom and smaller ones towards the top creates a nice visual balance.
Silver bows pair well with other metallic ornaments and lights. I find they look especially striking against green or white trees. To make them stand out even more, I sometimes add silver ribbons or garlands to complement the bows.
8. Tartan Plaid Bows
Tartan plaid bows add a touch of Scottish charm to Christmas trees. I love using red and green tartan bows for a classic holiday look.
These bows come in different sizes and patterns. I’ve seen sets of 10 small tartan bows that work great as tree ornaments or gift toppers.
For a bolder statement, I recommend large tartan bows. They make eye-catching decorations when placed strategically around the tree.
Tartan bows pair well with other rustic or traditional ornaments. I think they look especially nice with pinecones, wooden ornaments, and burlap ribbon.
9. Polka Dot Bows
Polka dot bows add a fun and playful touch to Christmas trees. I love using red and white polka dot ribbons to make festive bows. They bring a cheerful, classic look to any tree.
I’ve found that mixing polka dots with other patterns can create interesting visual appeal. For example, pairing polka dot bows with buffalo check ribbons makes for an eye-catching combo.
When making polka dot bows, I use a mix of loop sizes to give them dimension. I usually create 5 loops on each side for a full, fluffy look. Fluffing the loops helps the bows stand out on the tree.
10. Candy Cane Striped Bows
I love using candy cane striped bows on my Christmas tree. These red and white bows add a festive touch that reminds me of peppermint treats.
I find 16-inch bows work well for a standard-sized tree. I place them strategically around the tree to create a balanced look.
For extra flair, I choose bows with long tails and multiple loops. This gives them a full, eye-catching appearance against the green branches.
I also use smaller candy cane-striped bows as ornaments. They fill in gaps and tie the theme together nicely.
11. White Lace Bows
White lace bows add a touch of elegance to Christmas trees. I love how they bring a delicate, vintage feel to holiday decor. These bows work well with both traditional and modern tree designs.
To make white lace bows, I use wide lace ribbons and form loops, securing them with wire. I place them strategically around the tree, focusing on bare spots that need some flair.
The texture of the lace catches the light beautifully, creating a subtle sparkle. I find white lace bows pair nicely with silver or gold ornaments for a classy look. They also complement rustic decorations like pinecones and wooden ornaments.
For a cohesive design, I use different sizes of white lace bows throughout the tree. Larger bows work well as focal points, while smaller ones fill in gaps.
12. Green Satin Bows
Green satin bows are a classic choice for Christmas tree decorations. I love how they add a touch of elegance and nature-inspired beauty to the tree.
These bows come in various shades of green, from deep forest to light sage. I find that they pair well with both traditional and modern ornaments.
For a cohesive look, I like to scatter green satin bows throughout the tree. I place larger bows near the top and smaller ones towards the bottom. This creates a nice visual balance.
Green satin bows also work great as tree toppers. I sometimes use a large, fluffy bow to crown my Christmas tree instead of a star or angel.
13. Black and White Striped Bows
Black and white striped bows add a striking, elegant touch to Christmas trees. I love how these bold bows create a modern, graphic look against green branches.
You can find pre-made black and white striped bows or make your own using wired ribbon. I recommend using 2.5-inch wide ribbon for a nice full bow.
These versatile bows work well with many tree themes. I’ve seen them look great on traditional red and green trees, all-white trees, and even black Christmas trees for a dramatic monochrome effect.
For maximum impact, I suggest using 5-8 large black and white striped bows spaced evenly around the tree. You can also mix in some smaller bows as filler decorations.
14. Navy Blue Bows
Navy blue bows can add a touch of elegance to your Christmas tree. I like how they bring a sophisticated, rich color that stands out against green branches and twinkling lights.
These bows work well for both traditional and modern tree designs. I’ve seen them used as a striking tree topper or scattered throughout the branches as ornaments.
Navy pairs nicely with silver, gold, or white decorations. For a nautical theme, I’d combine navy bows with anchor ornaments and rope garland. You could also mix in lighter blue shades for a pretty ombre effect.
When choosing navy bows, I look for ones made of velvet, satin, or grosgrain ribbon for a luxurious feel. Wide ribbon creates bold statement bows, while thinner ribbon works for smaller, more delicate accents.
15. Snowflake Patterned Bows
Snowflake patterned bows add a magical touch to Christmas trees. I love using white or silver ribbon with delicate snowflake designs for a wintery look. These bows catch the light beautifully, creating a sparkling effect.
I tie snowflake bows at the ends of branches or nestle them among the ornaments. For extra charm, I sometimes pair them with small snowflake ornaments. This creates a cohesive snowy theme throughout the tree.
Snowflake bows work well with both traditional and modern decor styles. They’re especially stunning on trees with cool-toned color schemes like blue, silver, and white.
16. Rose Gold Bows
Rose gold bows add a touch of elegance to Christmas trees. I’ve seen these metallic accents bring a warm, sophisticated glow to holiday decor.
They pair well with traditional red and green ornaments, creating a beautiful contrast. I also like combining them with white or silver decorations for a chic, modern look.
You can find rose gold bows in various sizes and styles. Some have glitter or sequins for extra sparkle. Others feature velvet or satin textures for a luxurious feel.
I recommend spacing rose gold bows evenly around the tree. This creates a balanced, cohesive appearance. You can also cluster them together for a bolder statement.
17. Sequin Sparkle Bows
I love adding sequin sparkle bows to my Christmas tree. These shimmering decorations catch the light beautifully and add a touch of glamour. I choose bows in colors that match my tree’s theme, like gold, silver, or red.
To make them, I use sequined ribbons and form large, fluffy bows. I attach them to sturdy branches throughout the tree. The sequins reflect the tree lights, creating a dazzling effect.
For extra sparkle, I mix in some smaller sequin bows among the ornaments. This creates a cohesive look and spreads the glitter throughout the tree. Sequin sparkle bows are a fun way to add some pizzazz to my holiday decor.
18. Checkerboard Pattern Bows
I love using checkerboard pattern bows on Christmas trees. They add a fun, playful touch to holiday decor. To create this look, I alternate red and white bows in a grid pattern across the tree.
I start by making simple loop bows from the ribbon in two contrasting colors. Then I attach them to the tree branches in rows, spacing them evenly.
The checkerboard effect works best on fuller trees with lots of branches. I find it looks great with other classic ornaments like balls and icicles. This bow pattern brings a unique, eye-catching element to my Christmas tree design.
