There is nothing like the sparkle and joy of Christmas time. The twinkling lights, the crackling fire in the fireplace, and of course the festive décor make it a very special time of the year. Even common household objects take on a new aura during this time.
Take for instance that humble wooden bow; It goes from being a simple accessory to an essential part of every ensemble at home or office. This is not just any old bow; it’s a Christmas bow!
With so many different ways to make them, there’s no better way to add some seasonal flair to your home than with these darling decorations. Making Christmas bows isn’t as hard as you might think. In fact, with a little bit of creativity and some basic materials, you can make your own unique bows for all your holiday gifting needs.
How to Make a Christmas Bow
Making your own Christmas bows is a fun and easy process; all you need is to get your materials ready for the specific bow style you want to make. In any form you choose, these bows will add that special touch to your holiday decorations and gifts.
Bows can be made out of any material that can be folded or manipulated into shape making them a very versatile decoration. From ribbon to fabric to paper, the possibilities are endless. So, let’s jump in and learn how to make unique and easy christmas bows with some popular materials and techniques.
The Classic Ribbon Bow
Your most traditional bow option, the classic bow is perfect for wrapping presents or topping off a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. With just a few quick folds and a few cuts, you can have your unique classic bow in minutes. You can use any kind of ribbon for this bow, but a wired ribbon will make it easier to shape and hold its form.
Steps:
- Cut about 15 to 20 inches of ribbon to make a medium-sized bow.
- Create two loops with your ribbon, making two equal halves.
- Cross the right loop over the left one and tie it together to make a knot in the middle.
- Then adjust each loop as necessary to create uniformity in shape.
- Fluff out the loops to make it look fuller and more dimensional.
The Puffy Ribbon Bow
This puffy and fluffy little adornment can take any gift from plain to presentation perfection. It has multiple loops for added dimension, and you can even add a little bit of sparkle or trinkets for extra effect. It’s also perfect for adding a festive touch to your Christmas tree or wreaths. One peculiarity about this bow is that it uses a lengthy ribbon, so make sure to use a sturdy, thick ribbon for added stability. Follow the steps below to make your own gift bow.
Steps:
- Cut a long piece of ribbon about 40 inches or to your desired size.
- Fold the ribbon on each other inwardly until you reach the end of your desired number of loops, This folds to form a ring shape. Note that, one loop is one fold.
- Then hold the two ends of the folds and locate the center.
- Make a notch cut on the center of your bow on both sides. Make sure it is not too deep or too shallow.
- Then, thread through the notch cut on the center and pull it tight to secure the shape of a bow.
- Pull out and shape the loops of your bow.
Curly Ribbon Bows
The moment you see those cute, curly ribbons adorning a present, you know it’s going to be a good gift. Adding some curls to your bows is a fun way to add visual interest and make them stand out. And making curls in ribbon is actually quite simple with just a pair of sharp scissors. Follow the instructions below to make your own curly bows.
Steps:
- Cut at least eight strips of ribbon, about 20-30 inches. Just make sure you cut enough to make several curls.
- Then Tie all the cut pieces of ribbons by making a knot in the center.
- Hold the knot and use a pair of scissors to start curling each piece
- Gently unravel each strip of ribbon to get perfect curls for your bow and give it some finishing touches
For more beauty to your curly bow, you can make use of different colors of ribbons or add some decorative trinkets in the center.
Wrapping Paper Bow
Just because you have some leftover wrapping paper doesn’t mean it has to go to waste. You can use it to make a cute bow for your next set of presents. And the best part of this is that you can use any type or size of wrapping paper and customize it to your liking.
Materials
Steps:
- Take your wrapping paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
- Next, cut along the fold about halfway through the paper, leaving a 1-inch uncut border at the top of the paper.
- Then, accordion folds the paper with 1-inch folds until you reach the end of the paper.
- Take the top uncut border and fold it over to secure the accordion folds in place.
- Next, take one end of the folded paper and make a loop while tucking the end underneath, creating the center of your bow.
- Then, do the same on the other side to create another loop for your bow.
- Finally, secure the loops with tape or glue and add a ribbon to finish your bow.
Cardboard Bow
Surprisingly, cardboard can also be used to make beautiful bows. This method is especially useful for those who don’t have ribbons or fabric on hand. And with a little paint or decoration, these bows will look just as good as any store-bought ones.
Materials
Steps:
- Cut a strip of cardboard about 2 inches wide and 12 inches long.
- Fold the strip in half lengthwise to create a crease in the middle.
- Make cuts along both sides, stopping about ½ inch from the crease in the middle. These cuts should be about ½ inch apart.
- Unfold the strip and use your fingers to pinch and shape it into a bow shape, with the crease in the middle being the center of the bow.
- Optional step: Use hot glue to secure the shape of the bow.
- Optional step: Decorate with paint or markers, or add a ribbon for an extra touch.
Twine Bow
While twine is commonly used for wrapping presents, it can also be turned into a rustic-looking bow. It can even be used as an ornament for your tree. So, you can explore your creative side and make unique bows for each gift using different colors and patterns of twine.
Materials
Steps:
- Cut 3 pieces of twine to the desired length for each loop of the bow. The length will depend on how big you want your bow to be, but a good starting point is about 10 inches.
- Fold one piece in half and use hot glue (or just tie a knot) to secure the middle. Repeat with the other two pieces of twine.
- Hot glue the three loops together in a bow shape, making sure to leave some space in the middle for the center of the bow.
- Optional step: Decorate with paint or markers, or add a ribbon for an extra touch.
Fabric and Yarn Bow
Using fabric or yarn, you can create a colorful and creative bow to add a personal touch to your gifts and, at the same time, save some money. It is a great way for those who love to knit or sew to show off their skills in a unique way.
Materials
Steps:
- Cut out a strip of fabric or yarn in the desired length and width, leaving enough room to tie a knot at the end.
- Tie a knot at one end of the strip to create the center of the bow.
- Take the other end and fold it over, creating loops on either side of the center knot.
- Secure the loops with hot glue or needle and thread.
- Trim any excess fabric or yarn to give it a neat appearance.
- Attach the bow to your gift with hot glue or thread.
Conclusion
With different ways to make your Christmas bow using materials you may already have on hand, you can add a personal touch to your gifts while saving some money.
Seeing that homemade Christmas bow on your present might make the recipient appreciate it even more; it can also bring the holiday spirit to life and make the day special.
While making your own Christmas bows might take time and patience, it is worth the effort. After all, The only thing that matters is that you love the results and have fun while making them.
So, get creative and let your imagination run wild! Happy gift-wrapping!