How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon: 5 Styles to Try

A new trend in decorating Christmas trees this year is with ribbon. For those new to the art, it’s important to know that there are many techniques and tips that will ensure any tree you decorate is spectacular. Whether you’re trying to achieve a more natural look or something more contemporary, it’s super easy to achieve any look desired. Here’s of out favorite step-by-step directions for how to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon.

Project 1 – How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon in a Basic Wrap

What You Need

• 2″ to 3″ wide wire-edged translucent metallic ribbon (The amount depends on the size of the tree, how many wraps you’d like to make and how tightly the wraps are placed. For example, a 6′ tree will need at least 75′ of ribbon.);
• Mini lights (At least 100 to 150 lights per foot of tree);
• Ornaments (The color of the ribbon as well as an accent color. Some of the new ones have alligator clips attached so they can be added directly to the tree branches without using hooks);
• Tree topper (A bow made of the same ribbon as the wrap, star, angel or other option);
• Floral wire;
• Ornament hooks;
• A box of Christmas tree picks;
• Scissors.

Step-by-Step

1. Place lights on the tree. LED are best since they don’t get as hot.
2. Attach a floral wire to one end of the ribbon. Beginning at the top of the tree, secure the ribbon to the top center branch with the floral wire. Wrap the ribbon around the tree twisting it occasionally to make it look curly and setting it on branches to hold it in place. At the end of the ribbon add floral wire and attach it to a limb at the back of the tree. Place floral wire on the next ribbon, attach it to the tree where the last one ended and continue wrapping in the same way. Trim the ends of any sections that wrap too far around the tree and can be seen at the front and tuck them deep into the branches.
3. Place Christmas tree picks into the branches here and there. How many you use is strictly based on personal preference.
4. Add the other ornaments and the tree topper.

Project 2 – How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon in a Puff Wrap

This one is similar to the previous one only the ribbon is the point of visual interest rather than the ornaments.

What You Need

• 4″ to 5″ wide translucent mesh ribbon in gold or silver;
• Matching cording or rope;
• Mini lights;
• Ornaments;
• Pre-cut holiday words (noel, joy, etc.);
• Pine cones;
• Pre-cut snowflakes;
• Floral wire;
• Ornament hooks;
• Scissors;
• Extra trimmings from the tree.

Step-by-Step

1. Place mini-lights in and around the tree.
2. Take the ribbon and bunch the end. Hold a few sprigs of tree trimmings where the ribbon is bunched and wind floral wire around the ribbon and sprigs. Leave long tails of wire that can be used to attach the puffs to the tree.
3. Continue bunching the ribbon, adding sprigs to the top and wiring the ribbon in 12″ sections.
4. Once the ribbon has been prepared, begin at the top and use the wire tails to attach the end to the top of the tree. Trim the excess wire close to the twist.
5. Continue working your way down and around the tree allowing each section to puff slightly before attaching the section to the tree with the wire tails.
6. Attach the pine cones to the tree with floral wire and the ornaments and snowflakes to the tree with ornament hooks.
7. Take the words and angle them so they are balanced on the branches.

Project 3 – How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon in a Waterfall Drip

This design accentuates the height of the tree.

What You Need

• 6″ wide mesh;
• 3″ wide matching ribbon with a pattern;
• 3″ wide contrasting ribbon;
• Ornaments;
• Ornament hooks;
• Floral wire;
• Scissors.

Note: How much ribbon is needed will depend on how many runs you’d like to make as well as the height of the tree. In the example shown, lots of runners were added with just a few ornaments. In other examples on the internet, only a couple of runners are added with lots of ornaments and adornments.

Step-by-Step

1. Put the lights in and around the tree.
2. Take the ends of each piece of ribbon and wire the ends so they can be attached to the top of the tree. Decide on the number of runners you want in advance then cut lengths of ribbon that are 3′ longer than the height of the tree. It’s often easier to attach the ribbon to the top of the tree, run the ribbon onto the floor then cut it off 3′ from where it touches the floor.
3. Alternate patterned 3″ ribbons around the tree.
4. Over the patterned ribbon selected to match the mesh, put the mesh directly over the ribbon.
5. About every 12″ push the ribbon into the tree. Attach it to the branches with floral wire then be sure and trim off the extra wire and press it flat against the limb so no one gets hurt.
6. Fluff the mesh in the center of each section so it fans out.
7. Add the ornaments.

Project 4 – How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon Using Banners

Here’s a new way to share your important message with everyone that has the opportunity to view your Christmas tree.

What You Need

• 4″ wire-edged ribbon with a message or banner ribbons with your special message;
• Mini-lights;
• Ornaments (For a natural look opt for wooden ornaments or those made of natural materials as well as photo ornaments.);
• Icicles, snowflakes, stars, twigs, pine cones and anything else you’d like to add that’s important to you;
• Ornament hooks;
• Hot glue gun and rods;
• Scissors;
• Lighter.

Step-by-Step

1. Wind lights in and around the tree.
2. If the message is repeated on a roll of ribbon, cut the messages apart. Otherwise get as many banners as are needed.
3. Cut an inverted “V” pattern on each end.
4. Wave the ends over a lighter in order to seal loose threads.
5. Use the hot glue gun to attach the banners in 3-4 places each to the branches being sure to alternate location so they are randomly placed.
6. Add the ornaments, icicles, stars and anything else you’d like to add.

Project 5 – How to Decorate a Christmas Tree With Ribbon Pieces

If you want a super simple alternative to wrapping your tree with ribbon, try making some smaller tufts that you can add here and there.

What You Need

• 2.5″-3″ wide ribbon with wire-edges in pattern and solid colors;
• Mini-lights;
• Ornaments;
• Ornament hooks;
• Floral wire;
• Sprigs from the tree;
• Scissors;
• Lighter.

Step-by-Step

1. Cut the ribbons into 12″ pieces.
2. Put a patterned length on top of a solid piece and fold it to make a loop.
3. Repeat the step 3 more times then take the 4 loops, wrap a tree sprig around the bottom then wire it in place leaving the wire tails longer so the ribbon can be attached to the tree.
4. Make as many sets as you think you might need to create the look you’d like. You can always make more later. Set the tufts aside until later.
5. Wind the mini-lights in and around the tree.
6. Add the ribbon sets made earlier randomly and secure them with the wire then add the ornaments. If needed, make more ribbon tufts until you achieve the look desired.

Summing Up

The previous were just a few ideas to get you started. You can vary the elements, techniques and colors to create a look that’s uniquely your own. If you’re using a pre-lit artificial Christmas tree you can skip the step adding light or adding as many lights as you’d like. Regardless of which one you select you’ll find you’ve created a show-stopping tree this year. If you have a favorite decorating idea we hope you’ll teach us all how to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon your way.

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