15 Creative Ways to Decorate with Ribbon for Christmas

I have a confession. I’m a bit of a ribbon hoarder.

I buy rolls of ribbon for decorating projects, but I also save the ribbon from just about every gift I receive. I mean, you never know when you might need a little piece of ribbon for something, right?!

After 40 years of collecting (okay, maybe not quite that long!), my ribbon stash has grown to the point that I now have plastic drawers in my guest room closet organized by color. Yes, really. 😂

But here’s the thing. Ribbon is one of the easiest ways to decorate for Christmas without buying a bunch of new decorations. A simple bow can dress up a wreath, turn an everyday pillow into a present, or add a festive touch to something as ordinary as a soap dispenser.

So today, I’m putting my ribbon obsession to good use and sharing 15 creative ways to decorate with ribbon for Christmas, using examples from my own home over the years. Some are traditional, others are a little unexpected, but they’re all easy to recreate!

1. Add a Bow to a Christmas Wreath

One of the easiest ways to change the look of a Christmas wreath is with ribbon! I’ve used everything from traditional patterned ribbon to soft velvet, and it’s amazing how much difference a simple bow can make.

For a full evergreen wreath, I like a generous bow that won’t get lost in the greenery. For a more delicate look, try a smaller bow with long, flowing tails.

And don’t limit yourself to the front door! I’ve decorated wreaths on mirrors, antique bread paddles, and even kitchen chairs. A little ribbon can make the same wreath look completely different from year to year.

2. Wrap a Pillow Like a Present

This is one of my favorite unexpected ways to decorate with ribbon for Christmas!

I wrapped a simple linen lumbar pillow with natural-colored ribbon, tying a generous bow on the front. It instantly turned an everyday pillow into something that looks like a Christmas present!

Choose a ribbon wide enough to make a statement, and tie the bow on the front or off to one side for a slightly different look.

3. Decorate a Mirror with Ribbon

Mirrors are another great place to add a little Christmas ribbon, especially if you don’t want to cover them with a wreath or garland.

I’ve used oversized velvet bows on mirrors in my living room, and I love how they add a festive touch without hiding the reflection. A single bow at the top is all you need!

For larger mirrors, choose a wide ribbon with long, flowing tails so the bow doesn’t look too small. Velvet is especially pretty for this because it adds texture and holds its shape beautifully.

4. Add Ribbon to Christmas Garland

Ribbon is a beautiful way to dress up Christmas garland, whether it’s draped across a mantel, hung over a window, or wrapped around a staircase banister.

You can add a large bow as a focal point, tuck smaller bows throughout the greenery, or weave long strands of ribbon through the garland and let the ends hang loosely for a more relaxed look.

I especially love mixing ribbon textures, like the brown satin and gold mesh ribbon I used here. The combination adds interest without competing with the greenery, and the loose tails give the garland a natural, less structured look.

5. Hang Mini Wreaths with Ribbon

Small wreaths are another fun way to decorate with Christmas ribbon, especially when you use the ribbon to hang them somewhere unexpected.

I’ve hung mini evergreen wreaths from my kitchen counter stools using ribbon, but this idea works just as well on dining chairs, cabinet doors, or even windows.

Choose a ribbon that complements your Christmas colors, and let a little of it show above the wreath. You can finish it with a bow or keep it simple with a straight length of ribbon.

6. Decorate Dining Chair Backs with Ribbon

Dining chairs are another great place to add a little Christmas ribbon, especially when you’re hosting a holiday gathering.

For my Christmas dining room, I used gold velvet ribbon to hang a bundle of greenery and vintage-style bells from the back of a chair. The combination of velvet, greenery, and aged metal adds a festive touch without being overly decorated.

You could also use a simple bow, a single ornament, or a small bundle of greenery tied with ribbon.

7. Dress Up Christmas Place Settings with Ribbon

Ribbon is an easy way to make everyday dishes, napkins, and silverware feel special for Christmas without buying new table accessories.

I’ve used ribbon to tie bundles of silverware together and to dress up folded napkins with little sprigs of greenery and bells. Both are simple ways to add color and texture to a holiday table.

Velvet and satin ribbons are especially pretty for place settings, and you can tie them in a bow or simple knot depending on the look you want.

8. Dress Up Everyday Kitchen Accessories

Even the most ordinary kitchen items can get a little Christmas makeover with ribbon!

One year, I tied ribbon around my soap dispensers and added dried lime slices for a festive touch. It was such a simple detail, but I loved how it made the area around my kitchen sink feel decorated for the holidays.

You could do the same with a utensil crock, a small vase, or even a jar filled with Christmas treats. Sometimes all it takes is a little ribbon to turn something practical into holiday decor.

9. Add Ribbon to Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet knobs and pulls might not be the first places you think to decorate for Christmas, but they’re perfect for adding a little holiday detail!

In my kitchen, I’ve tied ribbon around the decorative brass cremone bolts on my cabinets, along with small sprigs of greenery, ornaments, and bells.

You can do something similar with regular cabinet knobs or pulls. Keep the decorations small and lightweight so they don’t interfere with opening and closing the doors.

10. Dress Up Hanging Pots with Ribbon

If you have pots or other kitchen accessories hanging on display, why not give them a little Christmas cheer?

I’ve used ribbon to dress up an antique copper pot hanging from my kitchen pot rail, adding a small bundle of greenery for a festive touch. I love how the ribbon softens the look of the metal while letting the beautiful copper remain the star.

This idea also works with hanging baskets, vintage kitchen utensils, or decorative cutting boards. Just keep anything flammable away from the stove.

11. Add a Bow to a Christmas Lantern

Lanterns are easy to dress up for Christmas, and a beautiful ribbon bow is often all they need!

I’ve filled lanterns with ornaments and added a generous bow at the top for a festive finishing touch. You could also tuck a little greenery beneath the bow or keep things simple and let the ribbon be the decoration.

Wired ribbon works especially well for larger bows because it holds its shape and keeps the loops looking full.

12. Dress Up a Lampshade with Ribbon

Even a lampshade can get a little Christmas makeover! Wrapping a length of ribbon around the shade is an easy way to add a festive touch without changing the lamp itself.

Try a wide velvet ribbon around the bottom edge of the shade, or tie a pretty bow at the front for a more decorative look. Just make sure the ribbon is secured in place and kept away from the bulb and other hot parts of the lamp.

This is a fun way to carry your Christmas colors into a bedroom, living room, or entryway without adding more decorations.

13. Use Ribbon to Make Wrapped Gifts Part of Your Christmas Decor

Beautifully wrapped presents can be decorations all on their own! I love coordinating my wrapping paper and ribbon with the colors I’m using on my Christmas tree.

Try mixing different ribbon widths and textures, like velvet, satin, and metallic ribbon, to make even simple wrapping paper look special. I also like tucking in little sprigs of greenery, pinecones, or bells for an extra festive touch.

And don’t feel like every present needs to match. Mixing complementary ribbons and wrapping papers creates a more collected look.

14. Hang Christmas Ornaments with Ribbon

Instead of using traditional ornament hooks, try hanging your favorite Christmas ornaments with ribbon.

A narrow velvet or satin ribbon is especially pretty with glass ornaments, adding a little softness and color to the tree. You can tie a simple loop for a subtle look or leave longer ribbon tails for something more decorative.

This is also a beautiful way to display special ornaments from cabinet knobs, decorative branches, or other unexpected places around your home.

15. Decorate a Window with Ribbon

Windows are another pretty place to decorate with ribbon for Christmas, especially if you want to add a little holiday charm without taking up any space.

Try using lengths of velvet or satin ribbon to hang small ornaments, greenery, or bows in front of the window. You can hang a single decoration in the center or arrange several at different heights.

Choose a ribbon that contrasts with your window trim so it stands out and becomes part of the decoration.

Bonus: Decorate Your Christmas Tree with Ribbon

Of course, we can’t talk about Christmas ribbon decorating ideas without mentioning the tree!

I’ve used ribbon on my Christmas trees in several different ways over the years, but one of my favorites is making individual ribbon loops and tucking them between the branches. It’s a great way to add color and texture without wrapping long strands of ribbon around the entire tree.

If you want to try this technique, I have a step-by-step tutorial showing how to add ribbon loops to a Christmas tree.