Christmas Gift Bow Ideas: 20 Bows That Crown Every Present

A pile of gifts wrapped in perfect paper can still look flat, because paper alone gives the eye nothing to land on. A pile topped with a christmas gift bow looks finished, because the bow is the crown that says the gift was wrapped by hand, not by a machine. Most christmas gift bow attempts fail in the same way: people tie a bow that flops, use ribbon too narrow for the box, or stick a shop-bought bow on top of a handmade wrap, and end up with a pile that looks half done. This list works the other way around. These 20 christmas gift bow ideas are grouped by bow style, classic loops, velvet and wired, layered and statement, novelty and themed, and finishing and reuse, and every idea comes with real tying steps, so you can pick one bow, learn it properly, and carry it across every gift. For the full wrapping picture, including paper, tags, and finishing touches, see Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas. Pick one bow here, practise it on a spare box first, and your whole pile will look like it was tied by one pair of hands.

The key takeaway: The bow is the hero, not the afterthought. A well-tied bow on plain paper beats a fancy paper with a floppy bow, because the eye lands on the bow first and judges the whole gift by it.
The detail most people miss: Ribbon width must match box size. A narrow ribbon on a big box looks lost, while a wide ribbon on a small box swallows it, so the ribbon, not the bow style, is the first decision.
What it costs or how long it takes: Most of these 20 bows cost $1 to $6 per gift in ribbon, and each takes 2 to 15 minutes once you know the fold. A diy christmas gift bow is the cheapest upgrade in the whole pile, because one spool ties dozens of bows.

Group	Ideas	Materials	Best for
Classic Loops	01-04	Satin, grosgrain, wired ribbon	Everyday gifts and first-time tiers
Velvet and Wired	05-08	Velvet, wired, tartan, burlap ribbon	Bows that must hold their shape
Layered and Statement	09-12	Wide wired ribbon, tulle, stiff ribbon	The main present and big boxes
Novelty and Themed	13-16	Striped, gold, green, champagne ribbon	Colour-led piles and themed trees
Finishing and Reuse	17-20	Bells, tags, mini ribbon, LED ribbon	Details, small gifts and keepsakes

Jump to an idea ↓

Classic Loops

Classic Double-Loop Bow

A gift tied with a single loop can look thin, because one loop gives the bow no body. A classic double-loop bow, two even loops with two tails, is the bow every other bow is built from, because it reads as a bow from across the room. Steps: 1. Cut a length of wide satin ribbon, about five times the width of the box. 2. Form two loops of equal size, pinch them together at the centre, and wrap the centre with a short length of the same ribbon. 3. Pull the loops out to even sizes, cut the tails into a V shape, and tie the bow onto the box with the ribbon cross underneath. A bow for a present in this style suits every gift, because it is simple enough to repeat across a whole pile.

Try it: Make the loops the same size before you tighten the centre. Loops tied uneven stay uneven, while loops matched first fluff into a perfect bow.

Single-Loop Boutique Bow

A small gift with a big layered bow can look top-heavy, because the bow is larger than the box it crowns. A single-loop boutique bow, one full loop with two short tails, suits a small gift, because the single loop reads as elegant rather than empty. Steps: 1. Cut a short length of grosgrain ribbon, about three times the width of the box. 2. Fold it into one loop, pinch the centre, and wrap the centre tightly with thread or a thin ribbon. 3. Trim the tails short and straight, and fix the bow to the top of the box with a dot of glue or a pin through the ribbon cross.

Try it: Use grosgrain, not satin, for a single-loop bow. Satin slips and the single loop collapses, while grosgrain holds its loop all season.

Pinch-and-Twist Bow

A bow tied the usual way can twist out of shape, because the loops rotate as you tighten. A pinch-and-twist bow fixes the twist, because you pinch each loop and give it a half twist before you join them, so the loops sit flat and face forward. Steps: 1. Cut two equal lengths of wired ribbon. 2. Form each length into a loop, pinch the base of each loop, and twist it half a turn so the right side of the ribbon faces out. 3. Join the two loops at the centre with wire, wrap the centre with ribbon, and fluff the loops forward. This is the easy christmas bow for present tiers who struggle with lopsided bows, because the twist locks each loop in place.

Try it: Twist each loop the same direction, both clockwise or both counter-clockwise. Loops twisted opposite directions fight each other, while loops twisted the same way sit flat together.

Flat Ribbon Cross Bow

A gift wrapped in busy paper can look cluttered with a big bow on top, because the bow competes with the print. A flat ribbon cross bow, a simple cross of ribbon with a small knot at the centre, suits patterned paper, because it finishes the gift without fighting it. Steps: 1. Run one length of narrow ribbon around the box in a cross, joining it underneath. 2. Tie a small, flat knot at the centre of the lid face, not a full bow. 3. Trim the tails to 5 cm and cut them at an angle, so the cross reads as intentional. Bows on gifts in this flat style are the quiet choice for a pile where the paper is the star.

Try it: Keep the knot flat, not puffed. A puffed knot on patterned paper looks like a failed bow, while a flat knot reads as a deliberate finish.

Velvet and Wired

Red Velvet Bow

A gift wrapped in plain kraft or white paper can look unfinished, because plain paper gives the eye nothing soft to hold. Red velvet christmas bows solve the plain paper problem, because the soft, deep red pile turns a plain box into a luxury gift. Steps: 1. Cut a generous length of wide red velvet ribbon. 2. Tie a double-loop bow, keeping the loops full and round, since velvet shows every pinch. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of the lid with the ribbon cross underneath, and fluff the loops gently, since velvet creases if you crush it. Red bows for presents in velvet are the classic Christmas bow, because the fabric itself reads as festive.

Try it: Fluff velvet loops with your fingertips, not by pulling. Pulled velvet creases permanently, while fingertip fluffing keeps the pile soft and even.

Wired Ribbon Bow That Holds Its Shape

A bow that looks perfect at wrapping time can flop by Christmas morning, because soft ribbon relaxes overnight. Christmas ribbon bows in wired ribbon hold their shape all season, because the wire edge keeps every loop standing. Steps: 1. Cut wired ribbon into four lengths, two long for loops and two short for tails. 2. Form the loops, pinch them at the centre, and wire them together tightly. 3. Shape each loop by bending the wire edge into a curve, then fix the bow to the box and bend the loops one final time in place. Wired ribbon is the single best upgrade for any bow tier, because it forgives a loose tie.

Try it: Shape the loops after the bow is on the box, not before. Loops shaped before fixing get squashed in handling, while loops shaped in place stay perfect.

Tartan Bow

A pile of gifts in matching paper can look monotonous, because one paper repeated gives no accent. A tartan bow breaks the pile, because the checked pattern reads as traditional Christmas from across the room. Steps: 1. Choose a tartan ribbon in red and green, or red and navy, to match your paper. 2. Tie a double-loop bow, keeping the pattern centred on each loop so the check is not cut in half. 3. Add two tails in the same tartan, cut at an angle, and fix the bow to the centre of the lid. Tartan christmas ribbon suits kraft, white, and green paper best, because the check stands out against plain ground.

Try it: Centre the check on each loop, not at the fold. A check cut in half at the loop edge looks like a mistake, while a centred check reads as chosen.

Burlap Bow

A gift wrapped in glossy paper can look slick, because shine alone gives no texture. A burlap bow adds rustic texture, because the coarse weave reads as handmade against smooth paper. Steps: 1. Cut a length of wired burlap ribbon, which holds its shape better than plain burlap. 2. Tie a loose double-loop bow, keeping the loops soft and open, since burlap should not look tight. 3. Trim the tails long and fray the cut ends slightly, since a little fray suits burlap, and fix the bow to the box. Burlap christmas bows suit natural, kraft, and woodland piles, because the texture echoes the paper.

Try it: Use wired burlap, not plain burlap, for a gift bow. Plain burlap collapses within hours, while wired burlap holds its loops until the gift is opened.

Layered and Statement

Layered Multi-Loop Bow

A single bow on a large box can look lost, because the bow is too small for the lid it sits on. A layered multi-loop bow, four or five loops stacked in graduated sizes, fills a large lid, because the layers read as a florist bow. Steps: 1. Cut wired ribbon into five lengths, each shorter than the last. 2. Fold each length into a loop and stack them largest at the back and smallest at the front, pinching them together at the centre. 3. Wrap the centre with ribbon, fluff the loops outward in a fan, and fix the bow to the centre of the lid. Christmas present bows in layers are the classic big-gift bow, because the layering is what makes a bow look bought.

Try it: Fan the loops outward after fixing, not before. Loops fanned before fixing get squashed on the box, while loops fanned in place stay full.

Giant Bow for a Big Gift

A huge box with a standard bow can look like an afterthought, because the bow is a dot on a large lid. A giant bow for gift boxes, loops as wide as your hand, matches the scale of the box, because the bow is sized to the lid. Steps: 1. Cut very wide wired ribbon, at least 6 cm, into long lengths. 2. Form four large loops, two per side, and wire them together at the centre. 3. Add two long tails that fall down the front of the box, and fix the bow with wire through the ribbon cross, not glue, since a giant bow is heavy. A giant christmas bow like this suits the main present best, because one giant bow is a statement and two would compete.

Try it: Wire a giant bow on, do not glue it. A glued giant bow peels off under its own weight, while a wired bow stays centred all season.

Pom-Pom Bow

A gift topped with a flat bow can look two-dimensional, because flat loops give no depth. A pom-pom bow, many short loops gathered into a ball, gives the gift a round top, because the ball shape reads from every angle. Steps: 1. Cut many short lengths of narrow ribbon, about 15 cm each. 2. Gather them into a bunch, tie them tightly at the centre with wire, and fan the loops out into a ball. 3. Trim the loops to even lengths and fix the pom-pom to the centre of the lid with the ribbon cross underneath. Christmas wrapping bows in pom-pom form suit round and awkward gifts, because the ball top hides an uneven wrap underneath.

Try it: Trim the pom-pom into a round ball after fixing, not before. A pom-pom trimmed before fixing goes lopsided in handling, while one trimmed in place stays round.

Star Bow

A pile of round bows can look soft all over, because every bow is curved. A star bow, loops folded into sharp points, gives the pile a crisp shape, because the points break the curves. Steps: 1. Cut five equal lengths of stiff wired ribbon. 2. Fold each length into a pointed loop and pin the five loops together at the centre like a star. 3. Cover the centre with a button or a bead, add a hanging ribbon cross underneath, and fix the star bow to the centre of the lid. Christmas decorations bows in star form suit the top gift on the pile, because the star reads as a topper.

Try it: Use stiff wired ribbon for a star bow, not soft satin. Soft ribbon rounds off the points, while stiff ribbon keeps each star point sharp.

Novelty and Themed

Candy Cane Striped Bow

A pile of gifts in solid colours can look one-note, because one colour repeats everywhere. A candy cane striped bow, red and white striped ribbon tied in a double loop, gives the pile a playful accent, because the stripes read as candy from across the room. Steps: 1. Cut striped ribbon into a double-loop bow, keeping the stripes running along the loops, not across them. 2. Tie the bow with two short tails, and cut the tails at an angle so the stripes show. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of the lid on a plain red, white, or kraft box, so the stripes stand out. A bow on christmas present piles in candy stripe suits kids gifts best, because the stripes read as fun.

Try it: Keep the stripes running along the loop, not across it. Stripes across the loop chop the pattern into bands, while stripes along the loop read as candy cane.

Gold Bow for Presents

A gift wrapped in dark paper can look sombre, because dark paper absorbs light. Gold christmas bows for presents lift a dark box, because the metallic ribbon catches tree lights and glows. Steps: 1. Cut wide gold ribbon, metallic or satin with a gold edge, into a double-loop bow. 2. Tie the bow with loops slightly larger than usual, since gold ribbon needs size to shine. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of a dark green, navy, or black box, and fluff the loops so the gold catches light from every side. A christmas bow gift in gold suits formal gifts and the main present, because gold reads as celebration.

Try it: Use gold ribbon on dark paper, not on gold paper. Gold on gold disappears, while gold on dark green or navy glows.

Green Christmas Bow with Holly

A gift wrapped in red paper can look loud, because red on red has no contrast. Green christmas bows with a holly sprig calm a red box, because the green reads as foliage against the red. Steps: 1. Tie a double-loop bow in deep green velvet or satin ribbon. 2. Tuck a small faux holly sprig, with two or three berries, under the centre wrap before you tighten it. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of the lid and let the holly sit on top of the bow, not hidden behind it. Green bows suit red, white, and kraft paper, because the green is the Christmas colour that never fights the box.

Try it: Use faux holly, not fresh, for a bow that must last until Christmas. Fresh holly dries and drops berries within days, while faux holly stays perfect.

Champagne Ribbon Bow

A gift for an adult can look juvenile with a bright red bow, because bright red reads as kids Christmas. A champagne ribbon bow, pale gold satin tied in a soft double loop, suits an adult gift, because the muted gold reads as elegant. Steps: 1. Cut champagne satin ribbon into a double-loop bow, keeping the loops soft and rounded. 2. Tie the bow with long, flowing tails, since champagne ribbon suits a longer tail than bright ribbon. 3. Fix the bow to a cream, ivory, or pale grey box, and keep the rest of the wrap plain, so the bow is the only colour. Champagne christmas ribbon suits wedding, anniversary, and milestone gifts, because the pale gold reads as grown-up.

Try it: Keep champagne bows on pale paper only. A champagne bow on bright paper washes out, while a champagne bow on cream or ivory glows.

Finishing and Reuse

Bow with a Jingle Bell Centre

A gift topped with a plain bow can look silent, because nothing on it suggests sound. A bow with a jingle bell centre, a small bell pinned where the loops meet, gives the gift a chime, because the bell is the point of the bow. Steps: 1. Tie a double-loop bow in wired ribbon. 2. Thread a small gold or silver bell onto the centre wrap before you tighten it. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of the lid and hang the gift where the bell can swing free, so it rings when the gift is lifted. Bow ornaments with bells double as tree decorations after the gift is opened, because the bow lifts off the box and onto a branch.

Try it: Pin the bell through both ribbon layers, not one. A bell pinned through one layer slides, while a bell pinned through both locks the centre in place.

Bow and Tag Combo

A gift with a bow on top and a tag stuck on the side can look scattered, because the bow and the tag fight for attention. A bow and tag combo ties them together, because the tag hangs from the bow centre on the same ribbon. Steps: 1. Tie a double-loop bow and leave one long tail. 2. Thread a small card tag onto the long tail before you fix the bow, and write the name on the tag first. 3. Fix the bow to the centre of the lid with the tag hanging on the lid face, where it can be read without lifting the bow. Gifts with ribbon in this combo style look planned, because the tag is part of the bow, not an afterthought.

Try it: Write the tag before you thread it, not after. A tag written after threading smudges against the ribbon, while a tag written first stays clean.

Mini Bows for Small Gifts

A small gift with a standard bow can look top-heavy, because the bow is larger than the box. Mini christmas bows for crafts, tiny double-loop bows tied in narrow ribbon, suit jewellery boxes and small parcels, because the bow is sized to the gift. Steps: 1. Cut narrow ribbon, about 1 cm wide, into short lengths. 2. Tie tiny double-loop bows, using tweezers to hold the loops if your fingers are too big. 3. Fix each mini bow to the centre of its small box with a dot of glue, and keep the tails very short. Mini bows suit a pile of small gifts, because a row of tiny bows reads as a set.

Try it: Use tweezers for mini bows, not fingers. Fingers crush a mini bow out of shape, while tweezers hold each tiny loop in place.

Lighted Red Bow for the Main Present

A main present under the tree can disappear among the other gifts, because every gift carries a bow. A lighted red bow christmas decoration, a large red bow with a battery LED string woven through its loops, makes the main present glow, because it is the only bow that lights up. Steps: 1. Tie a large red bow in wide wired ribbon, with loops big enough to carry lights. 2. Weave a short battery LED string through the loops, tucking the battery box behind the bow. 3. Fix the bow to the main present and switch the lights on at dusk, so the main present glows all evening. A lighted bow suits only the main present, because two lighted bows would compete.

Try it: Weave the lights through the loops before you fix the bow, not after. Lights woven after fixing pull the loops out of shape, while lights woven first sit inside the bow naturally.

Pro tip: Practise each new bow on a spare box before you tie it on a real gift. A bow tied three times on a spare box looks professional on the fourth gift, while a bow tied for the first time on the real gift usually needs untying.

Three rules for gift bows that look intentional, not thrown on

Most christmas gift bows look unfinished for the same three reasons, and all three are fixable.

First, match the ribbon width to the box. A wide ribbon on a big box and a narrow ribbon on a small box each read as designed, while a narrow ribbon on a big box looks lost and a wide ribbon on a small box swallows it.
Second, use wired ribbon for any bow that must hold its shape. Loops, stars, and layered bows all need a wired edge, because soft ribbon flops and the bow loses its form within days.
Third, fluff the bow in place, not before. A bow fluffed before fixing gets squashed in handling, while a bow fluffed on the box stays full until the gift is opened.

Storing and reusing your gift bows

Gift bows last for years if you store them properly, and the storage step is part of the making, not an afterthought.

First, store bows flat, not piled. Layered and wired bows lose their shape under weight, so keep them flat between sheets of card in a folder.
Second, store ribbon on spools, not in a pile. Satin, velvet, and wired ribbon crease and tangle in a drawer, so keep each ribbon on its spool and hang the spools on a rod.
Third, keep bows dry and away from sunlight. Ribbon fades in direct sun and spots in damp, so store bows in a dry cupboard, and keep lighted bows with their battery boxes, so the lights work next December.

Questions readers ask

How do you tie a christmas gift bow?

You tie a christmas gift bow by cutting ribbon about five times the width of the box, forming two even loops, pinching them at the centre, and wrapping the centre with ribbon, because even loops and a tight centre are what make a bow look professional. A diy christmas present bow starts with the classic double loop, and every fancier bow in this list builds on that same fold.

What ribbon is best for gift bows?

Wired ribbon is best for gift bows that must hold their shape, velvet ribbon is best for soft, luxury bows, and grosgrain ribbon is best for small, crisp bows, because the wire holds the form, the velvet hides seams, and the grosgrain grips. For a christmas gift bow project, choose wired ribbon first if you are a beginner, since it forgives a loose tie.

How do you make a big bow for a present?

You make a big bow for a present by using very wide wired ribbon, forming four large loops, two per side, and wiring them together at the centre, because size comes from ribbon width and loop count, not from pulling harder. A giant bow for gift boxes needs wire fixing, not glue, since a big bow is heavy and glue peels under its weight.

How do you keep a gift bow from flopping?

You keep a gift bow from flopping by using wired ribbon, shaping the loops after the bow is fixed to the box, and fluffing in place, because soft ribbon relaxes overnight and loops shaped before fixing get squashed in handling. A bow tied in wired ribbon and fluffed on the box stays full until the gift is opened.

What size bow should I put on a gift?

You should put a bow about one third of the box width on a gift, with ribbon width matched to box size, because a bow that fills a third of the lid reads as a crown, while a bow larger than half the lid swallows the box. Small gifts suit mini bows in narrow ribbon, and large gifts suit layered or giant bows in wide ribbon.

Can I reuse gift bows after Christmas?

Yes, you can reuse gift bows after Christmas by storing them flat between sheets of card in a dry cupboard, because wired and velvet bows hold their shape for years if they are not crushed. Keep lighted bows with their battery boxes, and keep bows with bells and tags attached, so each bow is ready to tie again next December.

How do you tie a bow on a gift with ribbon already around the box?

You tie a bow on a gift with ribbon already around the box by tying the bow separately, then fixing it to the ribbon cross with wire or a pin, because a bow tied directly onto the box ribbon pulls the cross out of shape. Tie the bow first, check the loops, then wire it to the cross at the centre of the lid.

How do I store gift bows so they last?

You store gift bows so they last by keeping bows flat between sheets of card, storing ribbon on spools, and keeping everything in a dry cupboard away from damp and sunlight. Stored this way, wired, velvet, and layered bows, and lighted bows with their battery boxes, will last for many seasons.

Save this guide for later

Pin it to your board so it’s there when you’re ready to recreate it.

📌 Save to Pinterest

Follow for more ideas ↗

Curated by

Sanaullah Arshad

Hey! I'm Sanaullah — visual curator and content creator. I search, curate, and test the best aesthetic ideas across Pinterest so you can easily transform your living space, style daily outfits, and try simple creative DIYs without the overwhelm.

Explore all ideas by the author →

Instagram ↗