Bows, bows, bows! 18 ways to tap into the hottest Christmas trend
The unapologetically feminine charm of whimsical bows and cascading ribbons continues to captivate us this Christmas. As this year's biggest decorating trend, bows are not just limited to the Christmas tree but can be utilised in unexpected areas of the home to transform even the smallest spaces with wow factor.
Decorating with such accessories is not new of course. It's popularity last year emerged from the coquette aesthetic; a quaint, feminine and romantic look with ornate details, soft textures, pastel hues and plenty of vintage charm. This year, the high demand for ribbons (from thin to wide and satin to velvet) and readymade bows continue to soar with social media playing a pivotal role – search #bows and #ribbons for endless inspiration on TikTok.
From quick how-to videos showcasing innovative ribbon-tying techniques to colour-coordinated bow Christmas trees, craft enthusiasts are also taking this look to the next level by making supersized bows from tactile materials.
The latest trends are textural bows in sequins or velvet, and playing with scale, notes Lisa Cherry, Christmas category lead at John Lewis & Partners, 'Look to oversized bows for bunting and doorscaping, and smaller, more delicate ones to tie napkins or decorate taper candles,' she says.
Crucially, bows have a place in the home long after Christmas, too. 'Bows have been pervasive throughout the interior design and fashion spaces in 2024, with many adopting the use of bows on their Christmas trees last year. They are a charming and versatile decorating theme, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy,' says Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker & Stonehouse. 'Post-Christmas, use bows to decorate when hosting, especially for dinner parties or evening gatherings.'
It's not too late to embrace this joyful trend – here's some inspiration.
The Bow Christmas Tree
Infuse your home with warmth and festive joy by layering bows on your Christmas tree. Classic red velvet bows are a failsafe option for a traditional yet elegant theme.
• Shop Christmas decorations at Cox & Cox
Perfect Gifts
An effortless way to embrace the ribbon and bow trend is with presents. When paired with patterned gift wrap, or in this case, wallpaper, it's guaranteed to bring a timeless and delightful touch to your festive decor. Nothing says 'wrapped to perfection' like a gift with a bow.
• Christmas Wallpaper selection by Petra Palumbo
Stair Appeal
Prefer the minimalist look? Christmas doesn't have to look OTT. In this gorgeous period home, the staircase has been beautifully dressed with an evergreen fir and eucalyptus garland attached to the bannister, with large decorative bows made with Annie Sloan's Ticking fabric in Old Violet entwined throughout. It's pared-back but delightfully chic.
• Cambrian Blue Satin Paint on the woodwork and banister, and Cambrian Blue Wall Paint on the walls, both Annie Sloan
Maximalist Magic
‘When you're creating a maximalist tree it’s all about creating visual impact,' says interior designer and House Beautiful columnist, Sophie Robinson. 'A big bow is a really quick, easy and affordable way to add a splash of colour that really punctuates the tree. The tree is quite dark, so bright satin ribbons look amazing.'
DIY Garland
Add pizzazz to plain walls with a sparkly garland trimmed with sequin bows. Here, individual bows have been attached to make a show-stopping feature, making it a great afternoon craft activity too.
• Sequin bow, John Lewis
Light up
It's all in the details. Either tie with ribbon or use readymade bows to add a feminine charm to candles. Match the colour of your bow to the candleholder for maximum impact.
• Double velvet bows, Nancy & Betty Studio
Rich Foliage
This trend has spilled over to wreaths, garlands and swags too, offering an enchanting look throughout the home. Perfection is not a requirement here – in fact, a loosely tied ribbon adds to the whimsy of it all.
• Christmas decorations from Dobbies Garden Centres
Patterned Strips
'I've decorated the tree in quite a simple way this year,' textile designer Molly Mahon tells us. 'I’ve used these lovely dried marigold garlands from India and then I’ve tied very simple bows with strips of fabric. It’s so easy to make and do yourself. With the addition of the fairy lights, it’s really simple and effective.'
Bar Cart Delight
Every surface (well, almost) can get the bow treatment this Christmas. As attention turns to hosting, deck out your drinks trolley with beverages and glassware and give it a chic update with a velvet bow garland – it makes a lovely feature when not in use too.
• Shop homeware and furniture at Lulu and Georgia
Rustic Charm
Create a subtle nod to Christmas with nature-inspired green hues and natural materials. Here, a fireplace display is given the wow factor with a trailing oversized bow made from hessian. Rustic-inspired simplicity at its best.
• Victorian picture rail hooks, glass balloon vase, square wall mirror, square baskets, all Yester Home
Tablescaping Basics
The allure of ribbons doesn't stop at the tree. Adorn other areas of your home, including your table setting, with festive bows for an extra dash of holiday cheer. Here, author and journalist Katherine Ormerod uses a green velvet ribbon to to tie cutlery and a napkin together – big impact, little effort.
• @katherine_ormerod featuring John Lewis
Chair Glam
We love how Sophie Robinson has used colourful ribbons tied into bows here, which has been attached to swags on the back of dining chairs. It's a simple yet effective way to bring the trend into your dining space.
Perfectly Framed
Don't forget to give your front door a bow-inspired glow-up. As if this olive green front door wasn't statement enough, the addition of three oversized bows tied to the branches above beautifully frames the doorway, creating a joyously festive entrance.
• Victorian brass doorbell push, bumblebee door knocker, brass house numbers, Farringdon welly stand and snowflake coir doormat, all Yester Home
The Final Flourish
Don't forget to tie bows around door handles and cabinet pulls for some fancy bow charm. It's a lovely way to bring this fabulous trend into your kitchen.
• Decorative bow, Humdakin
Pretty Pink
Pink is one of the hottest colour trends for Christmas 2024, so combine that with bows and you get a pretty-in-pink tree full of romantic charm.
• Lowdown locker in Blush, Mustard Made
Pared-Back
This marble fireplace surround needs little decoration but a beaded garland with a large striped bow in the middle is a welcome nod to the festivities. Better still, it's subtle enough to be kept up all year round.
• Christmas bow, Tori Murphy
Simply Linen
Forgo the wreath this year and hang a pretty oversized bow to the centre of your door instead. In place of jewel tones, keep it netural with an on-trend gingham pattern. A linen bow is also a wonderful way to bring some texture to your outdoor space.
• Botanical green gingham linen bow, Piglet in Bed
Candy Cane Stripes
Even if you haven't decked out your tree with ribbons at every turn, a bow tree topper will certainly do the trick, and it's a nice change from the traditional angel or star.
• Supersized candy striped bow tree topper, Cox & Cox
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