Velvet Bows Are the Christmas Tree Decoration of the Year—Here's How to Do It

Everyone loves a velvet bow

It seems like every time we log onto TikTok or Instagram and start scrolling through the For You Page and Reels, there's one thing everyone is using to decorate their Christmas trees: velvet bows.

This decor approach isn’t necessarily new—imagine a traditional Christmas tree, and you’ll probably think of a giant pine adorned with colorful ornaments, small Christmas lights, gifts scattered at the bottom, a star on top, and ribbons abound.

According to Simply Ribbons, the first mention of folks putting bows on their Christmas trees is in the 1800s in Chaucers Canterbury Tales.

Once ribbons became more widely accessible in the 20th century, holiday enthusiasts started using ribbons in Christmas decorations and on their gifts. And, when wire started being used as a part of the ribboned decor, things really took off.

No matter how they got here today, these ribbon decorations are different from the ribbon decorations from, say, a decade ago. It’s clear that today, simple, thin, ribbons are making a big impact. One TikTok user is adding the velvet bows to her garland, while others tie the ribbons into bows directly onto the stems of their Christmas trees.

And it’s no surprise that lots of people are opting for velvet bows this year. Velvet is, after all, the fabric of the season and a big trend for 2023—it’s one of the only fabrics that can make a space feel dressed up while also intimate and cozy.

While you can buy velvet bows individually, the most cost-effective way to decorate your Christmas tree with bows this year is by buying an entire row of velvet ribbon and creating the bows yourself.

Creating the bows is fairly simple. As TikTokc creator @juliannamuise showed in one video, you’ll want to cut about two and a half feet of ribbon to start. Then, tie the ribbon together and pull it out a bit so they’re large. She says she “kind of likes [it] when they look messy,” and that’s the magic of velvet bows—the messier, the better. After you have the bow the way you like it, cut the bottoms of them at a diagonal.

Some people tie their bows directly onto their trees, while others just place the bows on the trees and let them sit naturally. You can also connect a wire to the back of the bow and connect that to your tree branches to ensure it stays put.

It’s clear that the trend of decorating Christmas trees with velvet bows is gaining momentum on TikTok and Instagram, and for good reason. The ribbons are plush, festive accents that make your home feel cozy, cheery, warm, and timeless. 

Read Next: This Viral Christmas Tree Is Sure to Sell Out This Season—and We Need It

Read the original article on The Spruce.