Perfect Winter Holiday Bows

How to Make the Perfect Bow in Five Easy Steps

Grab a pair of scissors and gather your favorite style of ribbons or tulle for this simple winter holiday craft. Thick or thin, wired or non-wired. If you can loop it and cut it, you can use it! The perfect bow is just five simple steps away.

MATERIALS
Ribbon or tulle
For small bows, use approximately 3 feet of ribbon or tulle.
For large bows, use approximately 11 feet of ribbon or tulle.
Scissors

1. Using ribbon or tulle, create a loop the desired width of your entire bow.

2. Continue wrapping ribbon around first loop at least three more times until all ribbon is used.

Tip: Create five to seven loops of ribbon to make larger, fuller bows.

3. Flatten the looped ribbon and fold in half, aligning the two ends.

4. On folded end (not the looped end) of ribbon, make a small, diagonal cut on each corner to create a tip. This will be the middle of the bow.

5. Unfold ribbon so the cut is in middle. Cut a piece of scrap ribbon (approximately 6") and tie tightly around the center. As an alternative, you can use floral wire to help secure the looped ribbon.

6. On one side of bow, pull out innermost loop and twist to one side. Pull and twist the next loop to opposite side. Repeat on other side of bow until all loops are pulled and arrange as desired.

Easy Bows, Elegant Home Décor

Bows are the perfect embellishment for even the most basic item. This winter holiday season, make your home inviting and festive by incorporating these simple, but beautiful bows into your home décor. Take advantage of their versatility and create bows in different sizes and use different materials to add unique, festive flair.

• Wonderful Wreath: Use bows to accentuate your dazzling outdoor spaces and extend season's greetings to guests the moment they reach your door. Create your own Welcoming Holiday Wreathwith these craft ideas. Then, make a wreath-worthy bow using wide, velvet ribbon in winter holiday colors. Hang wreaths on your front door or windows to dress up the outside of your home décor.

Tip: Read our Deck Your Door with Holiday Sparkle article for more outdoor décor ideas.

• Grand Garlands: Take winter holiday cheer inside and incorporate garlands around your home. Place bows on a string of leafy, green garland and hang above the fireplace mantel, around doorframes or along staircase banisters. Wrap twinkle lights or ribbon loosely around the garland to add some sparkle and contrasting color.

• Charming Chairs: When it's time to dine, impress your holiday guests with special seating arrangements. Tie tulle bows around the chairs for an unexpected way to add extra enchantment to your dining table and mealtime. Choose tulle in colors that match your table settings or a complementary color that will enhance the table design.

Tip: Instead of using a 6" piece of ribbon to tie in the center of the bow, measure around your chair to make sure there is enough ribbon to tie around it and adjust length accordingly.

• Around Your Abode: Incorporate bows into your home décor in simple, unexpected ways. Adorn doors, cabinets and closets by tying or taping large bows to them. Tie smaller bows around floral arrangements and planters or create a loop and hang them from doorknobs.

• Pretty Presents: Add a special touch to each of your winter holiday gifts with handmade bows. For the perfect present topper, create bows using wired ribbon, which will make it easier to form and shape the loops. Show your thoughtfulness by topping gifts with a bow in the recipient's favorite color. They can keep the bow and use it again after the presents are unwrapped. Add extra pizzazz to your gift-wrapping with ideas from our Zip-Zap-Wrap article.

With a little creativity, you can transform your humble home décor into a winter holiday wonderland. These inexpensive bows are easy to make and easy to use for a variety of projects. You can even turn remnants of ribbon or tulle into the perfect winter holiday embellishment. After the festivities are over, store them with the rest of your decorations to use next year.