Make Stunning Ribbon Bows for Gifts | Easy DIY

My husband’s family has always had beautifully wrapped gifts with bows of ribbon adorning each package under the Christmas tree. A festive ribbon wrapped around both sides of the present and a simple bow on top is my favorite look. With this type of gift bow, the recipient can easily unravel the ribbon with a tug of one tail. I asked my mother-in-law for a tutorial on how to make these gift bows and I have been making them ever since!

How to make stunning ribbon bows for gifts | Building Bluebird #christmasgift #holiday

How to Make Ribbon Bows for Gifts
Step 1 | Measure the Ribbon
Step 2 | Wrap Ribbon Around the Gift
3 | Wrap Ribbon Around the Other Side of the Gift
Step 4 | Pull the Long Ribbon End Through the Center
5 | Make the Gift Bow
Gift Bow Source List
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How to Make Ribbon Bows for Gifts

In all honesty, I struggled to type out exactly how to make this bow with ribbon, so the video tutorial is very helpful! Check it out below.

Before learning this technique, the biggest mistake I made when adding a bow with ribbon to a present was twisting the ribbon at the bottom of the package. Now I twist the ribbon to change directions at the top of the package and the ribbon on the bottom of the present lies flat.

Step 1 | Measure the Ribbon

Measure out the amount of ribbon you will need for the gift. I loosely wrap the present with the ribbon and give myself a little extra to ensure my bow isn’t too small.

How to make a gift bow that is easy to unwrap and the ribbon can be reused | Building Bluebird #christmasgift #holiday

Step 2 | Wrap Ribbon Around the Gift

Begin the gift bow with one end of the ribbon at the top of the package. Wrap the long end of the ribbon around the gift so the ribbon on the bottom of the package is flat.

When the ribbon’s long end reaches the center of the package, twist both sides of the ribbon 90 degrees.

3 | Wrap Ribbon Around the Other Side of the Gift

Take the long end of the ribbon and wrap it under the gift. Bring it back up to the top of the present. Because I started my bow with the short end of the ribbon at the top of the gift and twisted the long end of the ribbon to the left, I want the end of the ribbon to be below the short end of the ribbon.

Step 4 | Pull the Long Ribbon End Through the Center

Place the long end of the ribbon over the crisscrossed ribbon at the center of the package.

Pull the long ribbon edge under the center of the ribbons to the bottom right corner of the package.

How to wrap a beautiful present and reuse the ribbon! | Building Bluebird #christmasgift #holiday

Now pull both ribbon edges diagonally so the entire ribbon is wrapped tightly around the gift.

5 | Make the Gift Bow

Make your bow and cut the ends of the ribbon to your desired length. I love this new way of wrapping because the bow is so simple and beautiful! The ribbon can be removed with a tug of one bow tail and can even be reused for another gift.

I like to add a sprig of cedar or pine behind the bow for extra flair. I always end up with leftover cedar garland or tree trimmings and this is a fun way to use them.