How To Make A Bow

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So here we are…

With Christmas just one week away!

Are you ready?

Have you mailed your cards out?

Have you finished all your shopping?

Have you done all your wrapping?

I tend to be a last-minute wrapper

But I really try not to be

Because I like to use my gifts as part of my decor

(Get tips on how to use your gifts as decor HERE)

Actually, I’ll let you in on a little secret —

Don’t tell anyone but…

Sometimes (usually/quite often/every year) I set out empty wrapped boxes and empty gift bags as part of my decor

And then I go back and add the gifts to the boxes and bags later!

So you can imagine I need my wrapping to be

Quick and Easy

But Still Pretty

And I think the quickest and prettiest gifts are made with just a simple hand-tied bow.

The trick to this look is all in the ribbon

You’re going to want to use pretty ribbon that’s at least 2” wide and wired on the edges.

Cut a length of your ribbon long enough to go around your box once plus enough to tie your bow. It’s better to over guess and be too long (you can always trim after you’ve tied the bow) than to under guess and be too short.

Wrap the ribbon around the bottom of the box and bring it to the top making sure both ends are even.

Now tie a knot to secure the ribbon around the box.

Next you just tie a simple bow

And here’s how to make a bow:

You can tie a ‘Bunny Ears Bow’ where you make 2 loops the same length and you just tie them together

Or you can tie a regular bow by making one loop and bringing the ribbon around it then through to make a second loop and the finished bow.

Pull the loops and the ends until you have a tight, even bow.

Now you can fluff and shape the bow so it looks just right

Then trim the ends so that they hang down the box just a little

You can cut the ends at an angle

Or you can cut a V shape by folding the ends and cutting at an angle up toward the fold

I love the look of this type of bow on all my gifts

Sometimes I just use plain craft paper for gift wrap and add a really pretty ribbon for my bow.

Or I have some decorative boxes that don’t even need wrapping paper

And all I need to do is add the bow!

And here’s the greatest part about that —

You know how I put out the empty boxes when I’m decorating??

Well all I need to do to add the gift later is slip off the ribbon, bow and all…

Put the gift in the box…

And slide the ribbon and bow back on!

See how to make gift bags in 5 minutes HERE

See what I mean???

Quick and Easy

But Still Pretty.

Works for me!

GET THE LOOK

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