Bow ornaments are a fun and easy way to decorate a christmas tree. This DIY takes less than an hour, costs under $30 dollars, and the payoff is really next level compared to the amount of effort involved.

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I got this idea from browsing through anthropology’s website (not shopping, just looking for eye candy and inspiration). They were selling bow ornaments in a pack of six for some outrageous price and I thought it looked like such an easy dupe. I was right - this DIY is seriously so easy. In this article, I will show you step by step how to tie a bow and attach it to your tree.

Supplies to make DIY Bow Christmas Tree Ornaments

The total cost for this DIY is between $15 - $30 dollars depending on the size of your tree. My tree is six feet tall and two feet wide and I spent around $20 for supplies.

Here is a list of supplies you will need to complete this DIY:

• Velvet ribbon in the color(s) of your choice

• 12 inch long Craft pipe cleaners (the same color as your tree)

• Sharp scissors

• Wire cutters (optional)

How To Make a Bow Step by Step

Step One: Cut your ribbons and pipe cleaners

I made about 24 bows total, so I cut 12 ribbons from each color. I cut each ribbon about 20 inches long because I wanted some ribbon to drape down the tree for a dramatic look.

—> Tip: An easy way to cut a large quantity of ribbon is to use the first cut to measure all the rest of your cuts, so you don’t have to wield the measuring tape every time.

You will need one three inch piece of pipe cleaner per bow. Cut the 12 inch pipe cleaners into four pieces using scissors (or wire cutters if you are worried about dulling your scissors).

Step Two: Tie each ribbon into a bow

Make a loop about a third of the way up the ribbon. Then hold that loop there between your thumb and forefinger. With the other hand, bring the longer end of ribbon around the loop to form another loop. With the end of that second loop, form a third loop and push it through the second loop. *If this is your first time tying a bow, don’t give up - hang in there and keep trying. It will fall into place, I promise - you can do it!

Another way to do this is to make two loops, each a third of the way up each side of the ribbon. Then tie the two loops into a not. This way takes a little more fussing afterwards to get it to a satisfactory shape, but it’s a little easier to tie.

Adjust each bow so that the velvet is facing to the front. Leave the bows a little bit loose at the knot so it’s easier to add the pipe cleaners in the next step.

Step Three: Attach the pipe cleaners to the back of the bow

Push a three inch piece of pipe cleaner through the back of each bow knot (so that you can’t see it from the front). Give it a twist to keep it on tight, and pull the bow knot tight to hold it in place.

Step Four: Tie the bows onto your tree

Place each bow on top of a tree branch (you can arrange them however you like!). Tie the bow’s pipe cleaner around the tree branch to hold it into place, and bend any excess pipe cleaner back towards the middle of the tree so it can’t be seen.

Variations

I use two colors for this DIY, but you can use as many colors as you like - the more the merrier! I think this DIY would look especially pretty on a green tree with four or five different colors of bows in bright colors. I don’t have space for my green tree at the moment, so it will remain in storage this year, but I definitely wanna try this again on the green tree at some point.

A monochromatic color scheme would also be fun to try, like different shades of blues mixed with silver and white ornaments. What do you think?

Try making bow clusters or group the bows so the tree looks spotted rather than dotted.

Here’s a short video peek at the tree.

I think it turned out really glamorous! Let me know what you think in the comments below —>