How to Decorate a Christmas Tree with Ribbon

For the past two years, I’ve been promising a Christmas tree decorating tutorial. The main question I get during the holiday season is how how to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon. More specifically, how I am able to wrap and tuck my ribbon to get that tufted , random look that fills out the tree. Over the years, I’ve used a few methods before I decided on one technique that I use most often. Using this year’s dining room tree, I documented the entire process from start to finish to show exactly how I go from a bare tree, to a tree that is filled with ornaments, picks, unexpected touches, and of course, ribbon! Feel free to pin as you go along to save as you set your tree up this year, or, if you’re ahead of the game, years to come.

HOW TO DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE WITH RIBBON

FLUFF YOUR TREE

Fluffing the tree is by far, my least favorite part of the tree decorating process. But, the type of tree you have makes a huge difference. For example- in our great room, we have a 9′ with all wire branches . But, in the dining room, we have a 7′ with a mixture of wire branches and more realistic branches that hold their shape well. I love them both but the dining room tree takes a fraction of the time to fluff and prep. When you’re fluffing, don’t neglect the inside branches. And, don’t just fluff the branches; if they are wire, pull them apart. Of course, if you have a real tree, you can skip this part 

CUT & TUCK

If you search the internet, you will probably see a big split on this but I always start with the ribbon. Something else you will see a lot too, is that more often than not,  people tend to use the entire spool of ribbon as one long piece, wrapping and weaving until the ribbon is gone. If I cascade ribbon, I will use longer strips but 90% of the time, I use this method. Typically, my favorite type of ribbon is around 4″ wide with wired edges. Ribbon that is “meshier” works the best for sticking to piney branches. My favorite place to look for my base ribbon (to start) is Costco. They have wide ribbon at 50 yards for $9.99. I then usually head to Michaels or Hobby Lobby for the rest. Also, in regards to how much? I don’t really have an answer. But, I use a ton. You can always purchase and take back what you don’t use. So, once you have your arsenal of ribbon, determine which ribbon you want to be most present. I used a 2.5″ mesh ribbon as my base on this tree. Cut strips that are around 3′ but don’t cut them all at once Depending on the size of your tufts and how deep you go in the tree, you may want to modify the size. Keep in mind, using ribbon makes it easier to change the look of your tree each year. If you have a base of white/metallic ornaments, you can simply change your ribbon color and it changes the entire color scheme of the tree

Take the end of the ribbon (I usually start in the middle of the tree), and stick it in. I use my hands to feel around inside the tree for a good spot for the ribbon to stick. If the outward branches seem to “support” the ribbon, you don’t have to worry as much about securing the inside end to an actual branch. Meshy ribbon will usually just stick to the inside needles while more satiny/smooth ribbon may be to be secured a little more by bending an inside branch to pinch the end. Once the tail is secured, billow the ribbon out, kind of at a diagonal and bring the center in to secure the middle of the ribbon inside the tree. This should form one billowed tuft. A few tips (this will make all the difference) – you don’t want the ribbon tuft to be pulled tight against the branches. You don’t want to see a taut wrinkle. When you are billowing, try to clear the outside branches into a big loop, but not so much that it sags. Also, when you are creating your loop, kind of push the ribbon upwards (as though you are almost pinching it back to the first secured end) instead of pulling it downwards. You can even turn it slightly sideways and have it “sit” on its side, on a branch.

Once you have secured the middle, take the rest of the ribbon, come back out (depending on the branch position with determine whether you come right back out where you went in, or, whether you bring the tail out a little lower). You want to form one more tuft with the ribbon so repeat how you created the first and then secure the tail just as you secured the other end. Again, if the branches are supportive and the ribbon is meshy/sticky, the inside branches may grab it enough. If not, you may need to slightly bend an inside branch to secure the ribbon. Two tufts from each 3′ strip is the goal. For the second piece, start at another place; I usually always go at a diagonal but mix up the direction. Here is what my first strips look like.

BRING IN MORE & REPEAT

Once I have a pretty consistent covering of the base ribbon, I will choose another to go in and accent. Don’t worry, if you decide you need more of the original ribbon when you finish, you can always add more! As a warning, this is kind of a difficult tree to show as my example because I did a few things out of order and used some ribbon I wouldn’t typically recommend. My second ribbon was a thinner, more satiny (but still wired) peach. You can see the wrinkles more easily and it’s more difficult to work with. As a rule of thumb, the wider the ribbon, the bigger your loops can be. Thinner ribbon can’t support itself as well and will need to have smaller loops. I still recommend going for two tufts per strip (this one I actually created three) so your strips may need to be a little shorter. Start with a test piece first before feeling out your ideal length.

Use the same methods you did in the first round of ribbon, creating billowy (but likely smaller) loops, pushing upwards to create smooth, loose tufts. Don’t worry if you can see some tails and places where you pinch on the inside. We’ll cover those up later 

Repeat with all your ribbon colors and textures. One of my favorite things to do (which helps you with a thinner ribbon), is to layer two ribbons on top of each other and treat them as one strip. When they are in place, you can pull one to the side slightly to reveal the underneath. I started with a more vibrant green but ended up removing it – you’ll see why a little further down.

If I have a more busy/patterned ribbon, I add that last and in smaller quantities. I like it to be a little more subtle and usually, the patterned ribbon is fabric, in the regular ribbon section, and is usually more expensive for just a few yards. The spools are usually much shorter too. I believe I used three spools of 4 yards each of the floral ribbon. You may notice that some of my floral fabric loops aren’t as deep. If you have to pinch it in between the surface branches, we can cover that up, too. Just try to go deeper where you can.

Lastly, I added a thick green ribbon, surveyed the tree, and ultimately added a few more pieces of the original gold. Four types of ribbon total. By no means do you have to use four types, but at least two will keep things interesting.

BRING IN THE BIGGEST EMBELLISHMENTS

Admittedly, my next step is a little out of order from my typical process. As a general rule of thumb, after the ribbon is secured, I try to add the next largest series of items. Usually, this is where I will start hanging ornaments. For this tree though, I had a few huge floral stems that I decided to incorporate first. Another tip- don’t feel like you are only allowed to select from the Christmas section/picks. I hit up the floral aisles to find coordinating stems. As a bonus, some that I scored this  year were actually considered “fall” and were 80% off.

Admittedly, my next step is a little out of order from my typical process. As a general rule of thumb, after the ribbon is secured, I try to add the next largest series of items. Usually, this is where I will start hanging ornaments. For this tree though, I had a few huge floral stems that I decided to incorporate first. Another tip- don’t feel like you are only allowed to select from the Christmas section/picks. I hit up the floral aisles to find coordinating stems. As a bonus, some that I scored this  year were actually considered “fall” and were 80% off.

If the stem is too long, you can fold/cut it to be a bit shorter. I bury the big items and nestle them in the branches, closer to the tree base. I like to fill in open spaces but also, don’t be scared to cover a little ribbon. You may need to adjust some ribbon tufts as you incorporate your big pieces. You can also use a couple different techniques; I use both in this tree. You can cluster a few like items together for an impact (think three red balls together all over), or, spread everything out evenly. I spread the snowball blooms out evenly.

ADD FILLER

I said this was a unique tree, right? My next step was to addd some moss on the branches for my Christmas meadow tree. Some, I molded to branches, and some, I covered more shallow ribbon loops. I have never used moss in a tree before and I don’t think there’s many themes that I would necessarily, but for this specific tree, I loved the result.

I said this was a unique tree, right? My next step was to addd some moss on the branches for my Christmas meadow tree. Some, I molded to branches, and some, I covered more shallow ribbon loops. I have never used moss in a tree before and I don’t think there’s many themes that I would necessarily, but for this specific tree, I loved the result.

INCORPORATE A STATEMENT

Before the statement up top, I actually stuck in other branches since they were on the larger side. Manipulate the flower branches (don’t just leave them as a straight cluster). I spread most of mine out (the smaller blue blooms were scored as fall for .90/a stem. I usually let the picks/stems that are more “stem-y” stick out more from the tree. This helps give a more natural, organic, whimsical feel. I saved a couple of bigger blue floral stems for the top. Instead of spreading them out evenly like the others, I concentrated them at the top of the tree and kind of came down from there at a wrapping diagonal to create that focal statement. You can also create something similar with a series of picks, branches, or berries.

efore the statement up top, I actually stuck in other branches since they were on the larger side. Manipulate the flower branches (don’t just leave them as a straight cluster). I spread most of mine out (the smaller blue blooms were scored as fall for .90/a stem. I usually let the picks/stems that are more “stem-y” stick out more from the tree. This helps give a more natural, organic, whimsical feel. I saved a couple of bigger blue floral stems for the top. Instead of spreading them out evenly like the others, I concentrated them at the top of the tree and kind of came down from there at a wrapping diagonal to create that focal statement. You can also create something similar with a series of picks, branches, or berries.

See how full it’s looking? And we haven’t even added the actual ornaments! At this point, I went ahead and added the ornaments. No rhyme or reason, just random and all over. Again, if the ornaments are your biggest statement, you may not have huge floral stems and ornaments may immediately follow the ribbon portion. I nestle heavier ornaments inside on more sturdy limbs and lighter ornaments further out on smaller limbs. Some people only use big ornaments at the bottom and smaller on top but I like to mix all over. I also have more special, intricate ornaments that I mix with regular filler balls from Hobby Lobby/Michaels.

See how full it’s looking? And we haven’t even added the actual ornaments! At this point, I went ahead and added the ornaments. No rhyme or reason, just random and all over. Again, if the ornaments are your biggest statement, you may not have huge floral stems and ornaments may immediately follow the ribbon portion. I nestle heavier ornaments inside on more sturdy limbs and lighter ornaments further out on smaller limbs. Some people only use big ornaments at the bottom and smaller on top but I like to mix all over. I also have more special, intricate ornaments that I mix with regular filler balls from Hobby Lobby/Michaels.

ADD ELEMENTS TO HIDE THE TRICKS

After the bigger elements, and then ornaments, I add in smaller picks (in this case, dried stuff that I don’t really know what it is haha) to start hiding more of the ribbon security areas.

I also wedged pinecones in, perfect for the meadow tree (or most any Christmas tree  ). These were really easy to use- even easier than actual hanging ornaments.

I also use ornaments to help cover those spots. See how everything is disguising the ribbon tucks?

ADD A SPECIAL “MOMENT”

On this tree, once I finished everything, I added my sweet, subtle little cherry on top. I purchased a few birds and clustered them together as a little family in the upper 1/3 of the tree. I didn’t put them all over – just three sitting together. Dave loves “little things”, especially tiny animal things so this is his favorite part.  And, he absolutely, specifically said not to share that haha

ADMIRE YOUR WORK

I step back a few times during each step to see which area needs more balance and when I think I’m done, I step back one final time to see if anything needs adding, adjusting, or even sometimes editing down. (Let’s be honest, in my trees, I typically go by more is more so that doesn’t really happen very often haha). There are gorgeous, simple, tasteful trees that are beautiful but I think my Christmas trees are one time when I can just keep adding and adding, and the more overpowering it is, the more whimsical and magical it is. If you can’t see the actual tree, totally fine! That just means you don’t have to have as high quality of a tree 

Friends, I hope this helps. If you use any of this process of tips in your own tree, I want to know! Send me an email at