How to Decorate a Christmas Tree with Ribbons: 4 Creative Ways

How to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbons in 4 beautiful ways. Step by step DIY with easy, fast, & low cost home decor tips & best ideas!

Have you seen how irresistible these 25 beautiful tree ribbon decor ideas are? This year I decided to decorate our Christmas tree using just ribbons and ornaments, and test different design patterns and color combinations. 

Now I can truly say that ribbons are the magic wand in the world of Christmas home decor, making tree decorating a joyous and hassle-free adventure! In case you are wondering, here are the tutorials for the SUPER easy DIY Christmas tree box stand and paper Christmas star tree topper.

Why Use Ribbons to Decorate a Christmas Tree?

Ribbons add volume, texture, elegance, layers, and color in the simplest way, they are also budget friendly and versatile. Instead of hanging 1000 Christmas ornaments, try the best designer secret: ribbons! In just a few strategic placements, your tree can go from bare to beautifully decorated with a lot less ornaments.

Decorating with ribbons is a fabulously fun way to add that extra flair to your Christmas tree and overall home decor. Whether you’re going modern glam, vintage farmhouse, traditional, or bohemian, these styles got you covered. Now let’s sprinkle our trees with some ribbon magic! 

How much ribbon and how many ornaments do I need to decorate a Christmas tree?

The amount of ribbon and ornaments you’ll need can vary based on personal style and how densely you’d like to decorate your tree. However, here’s a general guideline: for a 4.5′ tall Christmas tree (ours here), you will need 25 to 40 feet ( 9 to 13 yards ) of ribbons, and 80 to 150 ornaments. Double this amount for trees 6′ to 9′. Use less if you are only decorating the front facing side of a tree.

It’s always a good idea to buy a little extra, especially with ribbon, as it allows for more flexibility in your design. Plus, you can always use extra ribbon for wrapping presents or other decorations around the home.

Materials and tools to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbons:

• Ribbons: we used mostly 2.5” wide wired ribbons in red and shades of gold. Why wired? It holds the shape beautifully, allowing for those flowing designs.
• Ornaments: we used 1.5″ to 2.5″ ornaments in red, gold, silver, green, and rose gold / pink to decorate one 4.5′ tall Christmas tree in 4 ways.
• Optional: ornament hooks if needed, and thin floral wires to secure the ends of ribbons to Christmas tree branches

Best Christmas tree ribbon decor tips

Cutting ribbons into 15 to 20-inch strips is a game-changer. I also cut the ends at an angle. It’s SO much easier to work with and creates that seamless look without the fuss of wrestling with a 9-foot long ribbon.

Simplicity is Key: Stick to a few colors but vary the texture. Imagine using gold ribbons in different textures such as chiffon and organza! Pair that with gold ornaments that are smooth, glittery, or have a fun texture. Pure gold magic! Let’s dive deep into each style and add some layers to these delicious festive cakes of decor! 

Christmas Tree Ribbon Idea 1: Vertical Waterfall

To create the ribbon cascade, start at the top. Secure the end of your ribbon to a branch using floral wire or just use the pointed tips of the cut ribbon. Let it flow downwards, gently looping it in and out of the branches.

This creates a cascading waterfall effect. Make sure the ribbon isn’t pulled too tight; the loose, flowing feel is what you’re aiming for. Multiple ribbons side by side will amplify the effect.

Once you’ve got your ribbons cascading down, it’s ornament time! Begin with the larger ornaments, then add the smaller ornaments. Keep the different color groups evenly spaced for a natural vibe.

Here’s a classic Christmas color combo with 2.5” wide bright red ribbons. Complement with red and white ornaments for a traditional yet sophisticated look.

I had so much fun experimenting with different color palettes for Christmas decorations this year. One of my favorite non-traditional Christmas color schemes is green and gold.

It’s simple, modern, and stunningly glam. Here, the gold shimmering opaque and organza ribbons paired with gold and green ornaments feel oh-so luxurious! 

Christmas Tree Ribbon Idea 2: Diagonal Spiral

First, the ribbon dance. Start from the top, gently wrapping the ribbon around the tree in a spiral manner. Remember, the wired ribbon is your friend, it’ll help maintain that graceful spiral. The beauty of this style is in its consistency, try to keep the spacing between the spirals even.

Ornaments should follow the ribbon’s path. Start with either one of the color groups, or your biggest, boldest ornaments, and place them in a natural looking pattern, ensuring they’re evenly spaced. Then, scatter smaller ornaments in between, creating a harmonious dance of colors and shapes.

Bright red ribbons exude traditional Christmas vibes. Intermingle with gold, red and white ornaments for a classic, festive Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Ribbon Idea 3: Diamond Cross, aka Double Helix

Start with your bright red ribbon at the top, spiraling it counter-clockwise. Repeat with the red-green plaid ribbon spiraling it clockwise. The two ribbons will cross paths, forming diamond patterns – it’s geometry made fun!

With the diamond pattern in place, it’s time for an ornament adventure with complementing 1.5″ to 2.5″ ornaments in red, gold, and green. All the rich colors and textures are the perfect way to celebrate the joy and magic of Christmas.

Christmas Tree Ribbon Idea 4: Random Weave

No rules here, just freestyle and keep it natural! Start wherever you feel. Weave in, out, diagonally, horizontally… let the ribbon guide you. The aim is to create pockets of visual interest all around the tree.

Next, the ornament party! For a non traditional color scheme, think pink and rose gold! Pink and rose gold, for me, is like the unexpected guest at the Christmas party – it brings a fresh, fairy tale vibe that traditional colors sometimes miss. 

Combining rose gold / pink, gold, silver, and green ornaments with various finishes – shiny, matte, glitter, and textured – is like harmonizing different notes in a sugarplum fairy melody. 

There you have it, how to decorate one Christmas tree in many ways with ribbons! The creative possibilities are endless.

More Christmas decoration ideas you may love:

• 48 best DIY pine cone crafts and decor for Christmas and beyond
• 27 beautiful DIY Christmas table decorations and centerpieces
• 50+ easy DIY Christmas outdoor decoration ideas

Happy decking the halls, friends! These ideas are here to give you a jump start, the most important thing to remember is to have fun and let your unique style shine through! 🙂