The hardest part of wrapping a gift isn’t the paper — it’s the bow. Store-bought stick-on bows are convenient, but they rarely give the polished, handmade look you may want. If you’re ready to skip the sticky bows and learn a few simple ribbon techniques, try these five approaches to create a perfect bow for any gift.
5 Ways to Tie a Bow
The Simple Bow
This classic bow is quick to tie and looks neat and professional. Use an unwired ribbon about 1–2 inches wide. Cut a length of ribbon long enough to wrap the box once with roughly 5–6 inches extra on each end.
Lay the ribbon flat and set the box in the center. Fold each loose end into a loop and bring the loops together on top of the box. Cross the left loop over the right, tuck it under and pull tight to start the knot.
Repeat by bringing the loops together again and looping them over each other to form a secure knot. Tighten, even out the loops so they match in size and shape, and trim the tails slightly longer than the loops for balance.
The Flat Bow
This bow doesn’t require much tying, but you’ll need heavy-duty tape to secure it. Because it needs volume, choose a wider ribbon—either wired or unwired—and plan on using a fair amount of ribbon. If possible, keep the ribbon on the spool until you’ve finished folding.
Lay the ribbon horizontally and fold it back and forth into four or five staggered layers. Pinch the center of the stacked layers and fold the free end down at a right angle. Wrap that free end around the middle of the layers 2–3 times to cinch the bow.
Even out both sides so the bow is symmetrical. Flip the bow over, place the box centered on the ribbon tail, wrap both ends around the box, and tuck the cut end under the bow. Secure with heavy-duty tape to hold everything in place.
The Folded Bow
This bow is ideal when you want the look of a store-bought peel-and-stick bow but handmade. It’s compact and elegant. Cut a long piece of ribbon about 12 inches and a short piece about 4 inches.
Lay the long ribbon flat, fold the left end down at a 45-degree angle, then fold the right end down at a 45-degree angle so the ends overlap in the middle. Gather the center with your hand to form a bow shape.
Wrap the short ribbon several times around the gathered center, tuck the tail under and pull tight so the wrap is hidden. Trim any excess tail flush and neaten the sides. Fold each end piece in half and cut an angled inverted point for a finished look. Attach to packages with double-sided tape.
Layered Fancy Bow
This layered style looks luxurious but is straightforward to make. For maximum fluff, use a 2-inch wired ribbon and add as many layers as you like—the more layers, the fuller the bow.
Cut a ribbon about 36 inches long. Fold it back and forth from one end to create equal layers on each side (four layers per side is a good starting point). Hold the center, fold the free end down at a right angle, and wrap the loose end several times around the center to cinch it.
Tuck the tail under itself, pull tight, trim the tail, and then fluff by separating and pulling each loop open until the bow looks full. Attach to the package with double-sided tape for a secure finish.
The Tiffany Bow
Inspired by the signature look of luxury gift wrapping, the Tiffany bow works best with an oversized, soft ribbon that drapes nicely—silk, satin, or velvet all work well. Choose a ribbon about 3 inches wide for an elegant, relaxed look.
Cut a length of ribbon roughly five times the longest side of your box. Place the box on the ribbon off-center so about one-third of the ribbon is on the left and two-thirds on the right. Lift both sides and cross the longer right side over the left. Hold the center, fold the long end down at a right angle, then wrap it underneath the box and bring it back up over the center.
Tuck the long end underneath the gathered ribbon, pull everything snug, and rotate the box 90 degrees so the long end emerges from the top right and the short end from the bottom left. Form a loop with the bottom-left ribbon, then wrap the upper-right ribbon around that loop counterclockwise to create a second loop. Tuck and adjust until the loops are even, then trim the tails to match.
Pull the loops into a neat bow, straighten the ribbon, and adjust the tails for a polished finish.
Which bow will you try first? Each of these techniques gives a different style, from simple and minimal to full and dramatic, so pick the one that best suits your package and ribbon, and have fun creating beautiful, handmade finishing touches.