10 elegant Christmas decor ideas with bows

When it comes to Christmas decor, bows have been having a real moment over the last couple of years. Now I’m normally averse to fleeting trends, but I like festive bows and I don’t think they’re going to date – they’re a simple, timeless way to elevate your seasonal styling, and they can be adapted to pretty much any space and taste. If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re like me and veer towards pared-back neutrals, minimalist decorations and nature-inspired interiors. So, here are 10 elegant and easy-to-replicate ideas for using bows in your home this Christmas.

On the Christmas tree

Last year I tied bows straight around the branches of my Christmas tree, using narrow satin ribbon with long tails that dangled down like icicles. You could opt for a more opulent look with velvet, create a more structured bow shape with thicker ribbon, or even replace the traditional tree-topper with a large bow tied or wired around the upper trunk.

If you want to make things even easier for yourself, retailers such as Cox & Cox and Ivy Grey sell ready-made bows with wire twist ties or clips, while Danish brand Ferm Living has bow decorations on hanging loops. The latter are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and have frayed edges that add a relaxed, rustic touch to festive styling. 

Images one and two by Abi Dare; images three and four via Cox & Cox; images six and seven by Ferm Living

Alternatively, you could borrow the below idea from design studio Ask og Eng, who last Christmas decorated the tree in their Copenhagen show apartment with one huge statement bow formed from a long section of fabric. The overall effect was simple yet stunning, and I particularly love the way the tails draped elegantly across the floor.

Image courtesy of Ask og Eng

On bare branches

Bows look just as beautiful on bare branches, and the lack of foliage makes them really stand out – although it does mean you’ll need to tie them on rather than rely on clips or wire that might show. A few bow-adorned branches arranged in a vase make for a gorgeous festive display on side tables, hallway consoles and sideboards, and it’s a great alternative to a full Christmas tree for those who don’t have the space, time or energy.

Images by Abi Dare

On baubles & tree ornaments

You can add bows to your baubles and tree ornaments – either by gluing, tying or wiring them to the tops, or by swapping the hanging loops for narrow ribbons tied into bows. The latter also work brilliantly with dried orange slices and edible ornaments such as sugar cookies and gingerbread shapes, as Rowen & Wren [AD – affiliate link] – which has velvet and satin ribbon in an array of nostalgic Christmas hues – has done in one of the images below.

Images one-three by Abi Dare; image four courtesy of Rowen & Wren; image five courtesy of Tine K Home

On garlands

A bow makes a beautiful addition to a festive garland, as well as providing a handy way to hide whatever tacks, pins or string you’ve used to attach it in place. I like the below displays from online interiors boutique Hudson Home, which feature its velvet ribbon and brass cowbells on evergreen garlands strung along a staircase and mantelpiece.

Images courtesy of Hudson Home

Tied around candlesticks & candleholders

A simple bow will lend an instant festive touch to even the most ordinary of candlesticks, candleholders and candle sconces. Clustered together, they form stunning table, windowsill and mantelpiece displays, and you can go as delicate or as bold as you like with colour, size and style. Just be very careful when you position the bows so there’s no risk of them catching alight, and where possible opt for silk ribbon as it doesn’t burn as easily as other fibres (Silk & Willow has a fantastic range). Alternatively, opt for super-realistic flickering LED candles such as the Ester & Erik for Stoff Nagel ones shown in the last image below.

Image one by Silk & Willow; images two, four and five courtesy of Tine K Home; image three by Abi Dare; image six courtesy of Stoff Nagel

In place settings

Bows are ideal for creating beautiful festive place settings with little effort. They can be used to dress up napkins and cutlery – perhaps with gift tags attached to them to act as place cards – and The White Company even sells pre-made napkin bows with elastic loops to reduce the faff level even further. You can also tie bows around the stems of wine glasses, champagne coupes and dessert bowls – just remember to remove them before they go in the dishwasher afterwards!

Image one courtesy of Stoff Nagel; image two via Tine K Home; image three by The White Company

On furniture & walls

A large bow on a hanging loop is a statement decoration that you can reuse year after year – either make your own with a length of fabric and some cord, or buy a ready-made one from the likes of Piglet In Bed [AD – affiliate link] or Tine K Home. I like the idea of dangling them from furniture knobs, displaying them on doors, and attaching them to wall hooks above sofas, tables or sideboards.

Images courtesy of Tine K Home

On door wreaths

Bows are a wonderful way to add a little something extra to a festive wreath. You can place them centrally or asymmetrically, and opt for a large look-at-me bow or something more delicate like the small satin one I used on my Christmas wreath last year. If you want a structured bow, choose a thick fabric that keeps its shape (hessian is a good bet if you’re planning to display your wreath outdoors), but personally I prefer the gracefully droopy look of silk ribbons such as those from Silk & Willow.

To attach your bow, poke a bit of floristry wire through it and twist that onto your wreath. I always recommend hanging your wreath up first, so you can experiment with placement and assess how the bow loops and tails will sit.

Image one by Abi Dare; images two-five by Silk & Willow; image six courtesy of Tine K Home

On advent wreaths

Bows can also be added to Scandinavian-style advent wreaths, as Tine K Home has done below. Some advent wreaths are designed to be suspended from the ceiling, in which case bows with long, dangling tails look particularly beautiful. Just take the same fire-safety precautions as you would when using ribbons on candlesticks!

Images by Tine K Home

On foliage swags & mistletoe

Finally, you can add bows to swags of festive foliage, which are a pretty alternative to wreaths. Last year I used bows to tie together small bunches of pine sprigs, which I hung on every internal door in the house; larger swags would create eye-catching wall displays. You can even use bows on traditional Christmas mistletoe dangling from ceilings and doorways.

Image one by Abi Dare; images two and three courtesy of Tine K Home

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