Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and some pieces Jennie has shared came from brand partnerships, including gifted products or paid collaborations. This post includes a paid partnership with Wayfair. Our full disclosure.
Here's how to put ribbon on a Christmas tree the easy way: I tuck wide wired velvet ribbon into the branches in loose loops, top to bottom, after the lights and before the ornaments. Then I layer a second ribbon, like a champagne mesh, for shine. Ribbon fills the gaps so well that I use fewer ornaments.
1. Choose wired ribbon, 2.5 to 4 inches wide
Ribbon and bows on the tree are one of the biggest Christmas looks this season, and ribbon is one of the most budget-friendly ways to try it. Pick wired ribbon. The thin wire along each edge lets you bend every loop and it holds that shape in the branches instead of falling flat. I use a wide velvet, around 4 inches, as the main ribbon and a narrower glitter mesh as the second layer. These are the ones I've used on our trees, all from Amazon:
Ribbli Dark Brown Velvet Wired Ribbon, 4 in
Amazon
- Width: 4 in
- Finish: Velvet
- Color: Dark brown
- Where I used it: Our living room tree
Homeford Burgundy Velvet Wired Edge Ribbon, 4 in
Amazon
- Width: 4 in
- Finish: Velvet, wired edge
- Color: Burgundy
- Where I used it: Our media room tree
MAYREEL Green Crushed Velvet Wired Ribbon, 4 in
Amazon
- Width: 4 in
- Finish: Crushed velvet
- Color: Green
- Where I used it: Our bedroom tree
CT Craft Champagne Gold Glitter Mesh Wired Ribbon, 2.5 in
Amazon
- Width: 2.5 in
- Finish: Glitter mesh
- Color: Champagne gold
- Where I used it: Layered over the brown velvet
2. Lights first, then tuck the ribbon in loose loops
Ribbon always goes on after the lights. I start with greenery and twinkle lights before I decorate the trees, so the lights are tucked deep into the branches first. Plug them in before you start. The dark spots you can see are exactly where the ribbon should go.
Start at the top and work down in sections. I'd tuck one end deep into the branches, pull out a loose loop, then tuck the ribbon back in a little further around and lower. Keep going in a soft zigzag rather than a tight spiral, and push each end in far enough that you can't see it. Loose, uneven loops look full and natural. Tight, even wraps make the tree look striped.
3. Layer a second ribbon for shine
One ribbon gives you color. A second one gives you shine and depth. Last year I finished our tree with brown velvet ribbon and gold mesh ribbon, the Ribbli and CT Craft rolls in the cards above. I'd run the mesh in the same loose loops but offset from the velvet, so the two peek out between each other. "Our tree is dressed in layered ribbon, oversized ornaments, metallic florals, and warm twinkle lights." I also layered in holiday sprays from Darby Creek for texture and fullness. This bronze seed branch is fully wired, so you can bend it into the branches, and Darby Creek notes the glitter may shed when you handle it.
Darby Creek
Bronze Glitter Seed Branch Spray, 25 in
Fully wired bronze sprays that tuck in between ribbon loops.
4. Then ornaments, fewer than you think
This is the part that saves money. When I added green velvet ribbon through our bedroom tree, it really helped fill in any gaps, and I actually used a lot less ornaments than the year before. Go big instead of many. "The large brown ornaments are from Wayfair and add that deep, moody Christmas look I love." Hang the big ones first, tucked slightly into the branches near the ribbon, then fill in with smaller sparkle like these Target tinsel balls.
Wayfair · Paid partnership
Holiday Aisle Christmas Ball Ornaments, Set of 4
Oversized brown ornaments for that deep, moody look.
Target
Wondershop 9-Piece Tinsel Ball Ornament Set
Champagne sparkle to fill between the big pieces.
5. Finish with the topper and the base
The topper goes on last so you can tuck the ribbon tails up and around it. Mine is this antique gold mirror star from World Market. At the base, I'd skip a busy skirt and finish with a collar or a basket so the ribbon stays the star. The gold hammered collar under our media room tree doesn't appear to be on World Market's site anymore, so I left it out. My woven basket swap is in how I decorate a neutral Christmas tree.
World Market
Antique Gold Mirror Star Tree Topper
A warm gold star that ties the ribbon colors together.
Ribbon beyond the tree
The same velvet ribbon works all over the house. On our kitchen barstools, I love how the cedar greenery pairs with the black velvet ribbon and little brass bells for a subtle, timeless holiday look. That whole room is in my Christmas kitchen decor, and ribbon tied into garland is part of how I layer a Christmas mantel.
Shop this look
The pieces from this post, all from Jennie's LTK. Current prices and sizes are on each retailer's page.
Ribbli Dark Brown Velvet Wired Ribbon, 4 inAmazonShop
Homeford Burgundy Velvet Wired Edge Ribbon, 4 inAmazonShop
MAYREEL Green Crushed Velvet Wired Ribbon, 4 inAmazonShop
CT Craft Champagne Gold Glitter Mesh Wired Ribbon, 2.5 inAmazonShop
Bronze Glitter Seed Branch Spray, 25 inDarby CreekShop
Holiday Aisle Christmas Ball Ornaments, Set of 4Wayfair · Paid partnershipShop
Wondershop 9-Piece Tinsel Ball Ornament SetTargetShop
Antique Gold Mirror Star Tree TopperWorld MarketShop
Frequently asked questions
Can I reuse wired ribbon next year?
Yes. The wire is what lets you reshape it, so you can unwind it from the tree, roll it loosely back onto the spool and bend the loops back into shape next year. Rolling it loosely keeps velvet from creasing.
For every other look I'm using this year, see the Christmas decor trends I'm actually using and my cozy holiday gift guide. Shop whole rooms on Shop the Look, or browse the Shop.
