While greenery, picks, sprays, ornaments and other accents can be highly effective elements of seasonal decorating, one part of decorating you shouldn’t overlook is the versatility of ribbon in your displays.
Notably, ribbon decor for all seasons can be effective if you know just a few simple tricks for how to match colors, themes and patterns, as well as how to incorporate it into your decorating.
So, whether you’re here for tips on how to work Christmas ribbon into a tree or wreath or you want to get creative with some spring or summer ribbon for Easter or the Fourth of July, we can help.
How to Pattern Match Ribbon
Learning how to pattern match ribbon is one of the most impactful ways you can get more effective at incorporating it into your seasonal decorating. Once you know what to look for and can use a few different techniques, you’ll be a pro with ribbon decor for all seasons.
One of the most-asked questions we get here at Decorator’s Warehouse is “How do I choose the ribbon for my tree?”
We have some tips and tricks that are not just great for choosing Christmas ribbon, but which when applied will help you with ribbon decor for all seasons.
When choosing ribbon for a decorative application, start with a ribbon that has a bold color or pattern (or both) and then pair it with one or two other types of ribbon that are a little more subtle.
The bolder-colored or patterned ribbon would be used for your top layer, then you can choose a ribbon with a similar color, or with a color and a supporting texture-such as velvet, tweed or mesh, to use as a second layer.
You might also want to work with an accent ribbon, which like your top layer ribbon should be brightly colored or boldly patterned, or even made with a heavier embellishment in terms of pattern or texture. This will make it stand out so that you need to use less overall.
When it comes to pattern matching itself, you’ll want to choose a few different ribbon styles that utilize the same basic color palettes or materials, though you can also get creative by mixing and matching different textures in similar colors.
Adding Ribbon to a Christmas Tree
Knowing how to add Christmas ribbon to your tree is another vital skill that will make it easier for you to artfully incorporate different types of decorative ribbon into your displays.
Most importantly, for those of you that decorate with trees at other times of year, such as for Halloween, Easter, Memorial Day or the Fourth of July, knowing some of these tips will help you make use of ribbon decor for all seasons.
Once you have a few different colors or patterns picked out, you can get started adding ribbon to your tree.
Start at the top of the tree and work downwards; one of the best ways to use ribbon to fill in empty spaces is to make a simple two-loop bow.
Start with the tail, then make a loop that’s about 6 to 8 inches long, by doubling the ribbon back over onto itself. Twist the ribbon, then make another loop on the other side in the same manner described.
Now you can either cut the remaining tail of the ribbon, or, after placing the two-loop bow near the top of the tree, continue to decorate with the same strip of ribbon.
Create another loop, then press it into the tree and use the greenery to hold it in place. After making a second or a third loop, cut the tail of the ribbon. You can also cut it at an angle to produce a fishtail look.
You can make bows to decorate the areas of the tree that need a little filling out, but you can also “cascade” the ribbon along the length of the tree by creating wide loops that are held in place among the tree using the branches.
These are just some high-level tips for decorating with Christmas ribbon. For more information, see our video, How to Add Ribbon to Your Christmas Tree.
Beyond Christmas: Spring, Fall and Summer Ribbon Decor
You can add spring, fall and summer ribbon to trees with which you decorate at other times of the year in the same manner described above if you keep up a tree for Halloween, Easter, the Fourth of July or other seasonal holidays.
However, there are lots of other ways to decorate with seasonal ribbon. Here are some top tips:
With spring ribbon:
- Use pastel ribbon or burlap ribbon to decorate watering cans and small planters in which you place floral accents or grow herbs.
- Use spring ribbon to decorate Easter wreaths.
- Create a centerpiece that’s accented with two to three types of Easter ribbon.
You can also get creative with fall ribbon for Halloween and Thanksgiving by:
- Creating place settings using fall ribbon.
- Decorate centerpieces with fall-themed ribbon.
- Decorate wreaths, or walls or doors with bows made from fall ribbon.
- Decorate the base of candle holders, especially pedestal candleholders that are designed to be used with pillar candles.
For the Fourth of July:
- You can make your own buntings and other patriotic summer decor with red, white and blue summer ribbon.
- Decorate place settings with seasonal summer ribbon.
- Make a wreath out of red, white and blue ribbon and use it as a centerpiece or to decorate windows or entryways.
Follow Us for More Inside Tips and Tricks for Decorating Through All Seasons!
As you can see, there are so many ways to get creative with ribbon decor for all seasons, and the ideas we’ve shared in this post are just the beginning. Shop our full collections of decorative ribbons and let your full creative genius shine through, then when you’ve completed your vision, share it with us on our socials for a chance to be featured!