Nothing is more beautiful at Christmas time than a beautifully wrapped present under the tree. In years past, I always bought a bag full of colorful pre-made bows and stuck them on my packages. If I had a big gift I would go all out and stick three bows in a triangle shape. But, now I love to create beautiful bows and, you can too in six easy steps demonstrated on my YouTube video.
Beautiful ribbon with wired edging is so easy to manipulate into whatever creation desired. I am always on the lookout for new colors or patterns at Costco, craft stores, and floral stores.
To know which ribbon I am on the hunt for, I lay out the Christmas paper, bought on sale the previous year, and match what ribbon I have on hand.
For my more decorative bows I use the E-Z Bow Maker purchased at the Minnesota State Fair years ago. I even built a custom toolbox to store the board, wire, and cutter.
Not all my packages have elaborate bows. Check out these unique ideas for Wrapping Up a Magical Christmas…..
Large (Make a Statement) Bows
In the following photos, you will see lots of examples of Christmas presents with large bows I made with my E-Z Bow Maker.
Double Bows and Double Ribbon
On these two black and white packages, I chose to create a sparkly white pinwheel bow. The directions are in the pamphlet that comes with the bow maker.
This satin white ribbon does not work well on the bow maker, so I simply wrapped the package 3 times and then made 4 soft loops on each side. The Frosty gift tag added the final touch.
Black velvet ribbon wrapped around this gift is so luxurious and the 4 strips of black netted ribbon tied in 4 knots add visual interest. The silver bell hides the center knots.
Combining the satin white ribbon and black netted ribbon works perfectly on this black and white reindeer gift paper. Beautiful and easy!
And, what could be easier than wrapping sheer white ribbon around a gift, adding one strip of red curling ribbon, and topping it with 3 small red bells.
Sheer Ribbon Bows and Color Surprises
Sheer ribbon adds a light airy touch to any package, plus there is no uninteresting back side because it looks the same on both sides. When it has wire edging it can be used to make beautiful large bows.
Or, red sheer wired ribbon can just be tied with a bow on green Christmas tree gift wrap.
These small packages have red and white sheer ribbons tied in a knot and topped with red bells.
Long packages can be especially challenging, but not so with this sheer green wired ribbon tied in a knot and topped with a large red bell.
Lovely gold paper with white sparkly trees is easy to see beneath this gold netted ribbon wrapped around four sides and tied in the upper corner. The gold bell hides the knot and the silver and gold Christmas tree gift tag mimics the trees on the paper.
I usually choose ribbon colors based on the colors in the gift wrap for a coordinated look. But one year I was surprised to see this tiny black and white package with a green ribbon and a red bell under the tree. Our Christmas guest, Anna, wrapped this gift and I loved it!
I took a nod from Anna and added these red baubles and a red Santa gift tag to this black and white present.
Quick and Easy
Curly silver ribbon purchased at Target looks quite festive on this blue paper with champagne-like bubbles. Quick and easy!
A simple knot works quite well when the ribbon is beautiful.
Try wrapping all 4 sides and tying a knot for an asymmetrical look. Simply lie the package on the ribbon face down, cross the ribbon in the back, wrap the ribbon around the other side, flip the package and tie a knot.
A shoelace bow is not as elaborate as the large bows above, but in some cases works quite well.
Wrapping a package with satin green ribbon at a diagonal is a nice twist. An even bigger twist is sparkly pipe cleaner in lots of colors tied together in the middle and taped to a package.
The green satin ribbon has two different greens on the front and back which looked very interesting and with very little work.
Bow Adornments
Packages are not just about the ribbon and bows. You can get creative with adornments found at craft stores, Target, Walmart, or just about anywhere. As you have seen in my photos above, my favorite go-to add-on is bells, in lots of sizes and colors.
A soft fabric reindeer, found at Target, blends in perfectly with this large plaid bow and simple white gift wrap with red Christmas trees.
Or, how about this star ornament wrapped in red and white yarn?
This red metal star is perfect with the huge red bow on shiny green gift wrap.
Red baubles are fun tied in the center.
A funky corkscrew decoration I purchased one year pops in the middle of this large sheer navy blue bow.
Faux red Christmas holly stems are an easy addition with this one pulling the red color from the letters on the gift tag.
Lastly, my favorite is this wood nativity ornament paired with a bow made of sheer silver ribbon, bordered with gold. All of it beautiful on gold and white paper.
Coordinated Gift Wrap
I like to coordinate my gift wrap by color. Even though the wrap may be similar, or even the same, it is the bows and adornments that make them different and interesting.
Red Collection….
Green Collection….
Black Collection….
Gold Collection….
As you can see there is more than one way to wrap a gorgeous Christmas present. What new beautiful bow will you create for your stunning package under the tree? I would love to hear what you do, just leave a comment below.
Remember to save your bows and adornments for future years. Many of mine have seen more than one Christmas.
Be sure to check out my YouTube video on creating bows. Plus, view how I use bows in ways other than packages on my post, Festive Exterior Christmas Decorating You Will Love!
And, for indoor decorating there are lots of great ideas on Beautiful Interior Christmas Decorating Ideas You Will Love!
Meanwhile, have fun “Wrapping up your own Magical Christmas”!
Your gifts are always beautiful… hate to even open them. I save your bows from year to year too. You may get one back sometime. I remember making bows for gifts at the Drug Store at Christmas. (remember “twist up, twist down”). We made them in advance and then just grabbed one when we were wrapping a gift. I’m still pretty good at making bows as we had LOTS of practice. Good memories Sis.
Yes, I do remember! I particularly miss the heavy-duty tape dispenser.