Every December, I spend way too long staring at the top of my Christmas tree trying to figure out why it just doesn’t look finished. The ornaments are perfect. The lights are wrapped exactly right. But something is missing. Then one year I skipped the star, skipped the angel, and tied a big oversized velvet bow at the top instead — and honestly? It changed everything. The whole tree suddenly had a focal point that felt personal and intentional rather than like a standard holiday accessory. If you’ve been feeling the same way about your tree this season, a christmas tree bow topper might be exactly the shift you need. They work across every style — traditional, rustic, farmhouse, elegant, modern — and they’re far easier to make or find than most people realize. Here are 15 ideas to inspire you this holiday season.
- A bow topper can be made from almost any wired ribbon in about ten minutes
- The right bow pulls together your entire tree’s color palette and makes it feel complete
- These ideas range from classic red velvet to modern black ribbon — every style is covered
Why a Bow Topper Works Better Than You’d Think
Here’s the thing about traditional tree toppers — a star or angel can be beautiful, but it’s also very specific. It dictates a certain look for the whole tree, and if your ornaments or ribbon don’t coordinate with it, the top of the tree can end up feeling disconnected from everything below it. A bow topper solves that problem elegantly.
You choose the ribbon, which means you choose the color, the texture, and the scale — and when you use the same ribbon elsewhere in the tree, everything connects naturally from top to bottom. The LoveShackFancy Bow Tree Topper at Pottery Barn Teen, available in ivory, pink, and red at $129, has become one of the most-saved holiday items for exactly this reason — it’s a statement piece that also serves as a cohesive design element for the whole tree.
15 Christmas Tree Bow Topper Ideas
1. Oversized Red Velvet Bow
An oversized red velvet bow is the most classic christmas tree bow topper choice available — and it earns that status by working beautifully on virtually every tree. Choose a wide velvet ribbon, create generous loops with long tails that fall naturally down the front of the tree, and keep the bow slightly relaxed rather than stiffly perfect. The rich red color stands out dramatically against green branches and coordinates effortlessly with gold, white, or traditional red ornament collections. The velvety texture photographs particularly well and holds its shape through the entire season without needing to be restyled. This is the topper that comes to mind when most people picture a beautifully finished Christmas tree.
2. Double Layered Ribbon Bow
A double layered bow gives your christmas tree bow topper more visual depth and fullness than a single ribbon can achieve on its own. Start with a wider ribbon as the base layer, then layer a narrower ribbon in a coordinating or contrasting color on top before tying the bow. A red and gold combination creates a warm traditional effect, while cream and dusty green produces something softer and more understated. Let both ribbons extend into generous long tails that drape down through the upper branches. The two-ribbon technique requires very little extra effort but makes the finished topper look significantly more elaborate and professionally styled than a single-ribbon bow.
3. Burgundy Velvet Bow Topper
For a more sophisticated and moody Christmas tree, burgundy velvet is a beautiful alternative to traditional bright red. The deeper shade adds warmth and richness without the boldness of a primary red bow, making it particularly well-suited to trees decorated with antique gold ornaments, warm white lights, and vintage-inspired decorations. Create the bow with slightly uneven, relaxed loops and long flowing tails for a look that feels effortlessly elegant rather than overly formal. Burgundy also pairs beautifully with deep green velvet ribbon threaded through the branches below, creating a color story that feels cohesive and intentional from the top of the tree all the way down to the tree skirt.
4. Red Plaid Bow
A red plaid bow brings instant farmhouse warmth to any Christmas tree and is one of the most popular christmas tree bow topper choices for rustic and cottage-style homes. Look for a wired plaid ribbon so the bow holds its shape well throughout the season without drooping or losing its loops. Create a large, full bow with long tails and pair it with wooden ornaments, pinecones, red baubles, dried berry picks, and simple warm white lights throughout the tree. The familiar plaid pattern gives the entire tree a homespun, nostalgic character that feels genuinely cozy rather than commercially festive. This is an excellent choice for anyone who loves the casual, collected aesthetic of country farmhouse Christmas decor.
5. Gold Ribbon Bow
A gold ribbon bow gives the top of a Christmas tree a warm, luminous finish that works particularly well on trees decorated in champagne, cream, and warm metallic tones. Choose a textured or lightly sheer ribbon rather than a very shiny metallic material if you want a softer, more elegant appearance — heavily metallic ribbon can look flashy rather than refined, especially in photographs. Pair the gold topper with ivory and champagne ornaments, antique brass bells, and warm white lights that will reflect gently against the gold ribbon throughout the evening. This combination creates a quietly luxurious effect that feels genuinely grown-up and beautifully considered.
6. Cream Velvet Bow
A cream velvet bow is the perfect christmas tree bow topper for a neutral or white Christmas tree aesthetic. The soft color blends beautifully with white, beige, champagne, and natural wood ornaments while the velvet texture ensures the topper has enough visual presence to stand out against pale branches. Add long flowing tails that disappear gently into the upper branches of the tree, creating a seamless transition between the topper and the rest of the decoration. This style works particularly well on flocked trees where the creamy ribbon creates a soft, wintry effect that complements the snowy white branches beautifully. It’s elegant without being showy, and beautiful without being loud.
7. Cascading Ribbon Bow Topper
Instead of treating the bow as a standalone topper, let its ribbon tails become part of the tree itself by allowing them to cascade several inches — or even several feet — down through the upper branches. Use a wide ribbon with wired edges so the tails can be shaped and curved gently around and between the branches as they descend. This creates a sense of movement and visual flow that makes the upper portion of the tree look significantly fuller and more styled. If you choose a ribbon that also appears elsewhere in the tree, the cascading tails connect the topper to the rest of the decoration in a way that feels genuinely cohesive rather than like a separate element placed on top.
8. Velvet and Satin Mixed Bow
Combining velvet and satin in a single christmas tree bow topper creates beautiful textural contrast that elevates the whole decoration beyond what either fabric could achieve alone. Use velvet for the main loops — its softness and depth give the bow its presence — and a narrower satin ribbon as a layered accent through the center or tied around the knot. Red velvet with gold satin is a classic combination, while cream velvet with ivory satin creates a beautifully subtle tonal effect for a neutral tree. The interplay between the soft matte velvet and the smooth, slightly reflective satin gives the topper a handcrafted quality that looks significantly more expensive than it is.
9. Forest Green Bow
A forest green bow creates a sophisticated, nature-inspired christmas tree bow topper that blends organically into the branches while adding subtle texture and depth. Since the bow is close in color to the evergreen branches, choose either a large size or a textured velvet fabric so the topper remains clearly visible from across the room. Pair it with gold bells, brass ornaments, pinecones, and warm white lights for a natural, traditional look that feels genuinely timeless. Forest green also coordinates beautifully with burgundy and cream accents throughout the tree, creating a color palette that feels rich and warm without relying on any bright or primary colors.
10. Bow With Extra Long Ribbon Tails
Sometimes the most striking element of a christmas tree bow topper isn’t the bow itself — it’s the length of the ribbon tails below it. A large bow with extra-long tails that fall through the branches and curve outward as they descend makes even a relatively simple tree look dramatically styled. This technique is particularly effective on taller trees where the long tails can travel a significant distance down the front before disappearing into the mid-section of the branches. Velvet, plaid, linen, and wired satin all work well for this style, and the extended tails give you an opportunity to incorporate the same ribbon in a more prominent way than a standard bow length would allow.
11. Natural Burlap Bow
For a rustic Christmas tree with an organic, handmade quality, a burlap bow creates exactly the right relaxed and casual topper. Choose a wide burlap ribbon and create a full bow with slightly loose, imperfect loops — the natural, slightly rough texture of burlap looks better when the bow isn’t too precisely tied. Pair it with pinecones, wooden stars, dried berry picks, simple string lights, and natural twine throughout the tree for a complete rustic aesthetic. The burlap contrasts beautifully with any shiny ornaments you incorporate, and the whole tree takes on a warm, handcrafted character that feels personal and genuinely inviting rather than perfectly styled.
12. Red and White Christmas Bow
A red and white bow creates a cheerful, candy-cane-inspired christmas tree bow topper that feels unmistakably festive and wonderfully traditional. Layer a wide red ribbon with a narrower white ribbon and finish with long tails in both colors. Continue the same color story throughout the tree with white ball ornaments, red baubles, candy cane accents, small snowflake picks, and simple warm white lights. The red and white combination is one of the most recognizable Christmas palettes available, and using it consistently from the topper all the way down to the tree skirt creates a finished, magazine-worthy appearance that looks like it took considerably more planning than it actually did.
13. Vintage-Inspired Bow Topper
A vintage-inspired christmas tree bow topper uses slightly aged-looking ribbon in muted red, faded burgundy, dusty cream, or antique green to create a nostalgic effect that looks as though the decoration has been part of the holiday collection for decades. Choose ribbon with a slightly textured, softly worn appearance — or deliberately soften a new ribbon by washing it before use. Tie the bow loosely with slightly uneven loops and gently frayed edges for an authentically aged quality. Pair it with vintage glass baubles, old-fashioned wooden decorations, antique brass ornaments, and warm Edison-style lights throughout the tree for a complete nostalgic aesthetic that feels warm, personal, and deeply charming.
14. Oversized Black Ribbon Bow
For a more modern and unexpected christmas tree bow topper, an oversized black bow creates a bold statement that works particularly well in contemporary homes. Choose a wide matte or velvet ribbon and keep the rest of the tree decorations deliberately simple — white or silver ball ornaments, natural wood accents, and minimal lighting work best against the dark topper. The black bow creates strong, graphic contrast against green branches that photographs exceptionally well and makes the whole tree feel deliberately designed rather than traditionally decorated. Long ribbon tails in the same black ribbon soften the boldness of the color and make the topper feel more elegant than aggressive. This is the christmas tree bow topper for people who want their holiday decor to feel genuinely current.
15. Layered Bow With Greenery and Natural Accents
Adding natural elements to a christmas tree bow topper creates a topper that feels like part of the tree itself rather than something placed on top of it. Start with a wide velvet or plaid bow tied securely at the very top, then tuck small evergreen sprigs, pinecones, dried berry branches, or small holly picks around the base of the bow so they peek out naturally from behind and beside it. The greenery helps the transition between the topper and the branches below feel seamless and organic. This approach works beautifully on both real and artificial trees and adds a layered, dimensional quality to the top of the tree that a plain bow cannot achieve on its own.
Christmas Tree Bow Topper Style Guide
Choosing the right bow topper depends on your tree’s overall aesthetic. Here’s a simple guide to matching your bow to your decorating style.
| Tree Style | Best Bow Topper | Ribbon to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Oversized Red Velvet | Wide red velvet with long tails |
| Farmhouse Rustic | Red Plaid or Burlap | Wired plaid or wide burlap |
| Elegant Neutral | Cream or Gold Velvet | Velvet in cream, ivory, or gold |
| Vintage Nostalgic | Burgundy or Muted Red | Aged-look velvet or linen |
| Modern Contemporary | Black Ribbon | Wide matte or velvet black |
| Romantic Feminine | Pink Satin or Velvet | Soft pink with pearl trim |
| Nature Inspired | Forest Green with Greenery | Velvet green with pinecone accents |
How to Make a Christmas Tree Bow Topper at Home
Making your own bow topper is easier than most people expect, and it allows you to match the exact ribbon you’ve used throughout the rest of the tree.
| Step | What to Do | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Choose ribbon | Select wired ribbon, minimum 2.5 inches wide | Wired edges hold shape much better |
| Cut the length | Cut approximately 3–4 feet for the bow plus extra for tails | Longer tails create more drama |
| Make the loops | Create 3–4 loops of equal size, pinching the center | Don’t worry about perfection — natural looks better |
| Secure the center | Twist a piece of wire or thin ribbon around the pinched center | Floral wire works particularly well |
| Shape the loops | Gently pull and shape each loop outward and upward | Velvet and plaid ribbon hold shape best |
| Attach to tree | Use a pipe cleaner or floral wire to secure to the top branch | Make sure it’s secure before styling the tails |
A homemade bow topper typically costs between $5 and $15 in ribbon and looks just as beautiful as any store-bought version — often more so because it’s made specifically to match the rest of your tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ribbon works best for a Christmas tree bow topper?
Wired ribbon is always the best choice for a christmas tree bow topper because the wire inside the edges allows you to shape and hold the loops without them drooping or collapsing. Velvet wired ribbon is the most popular choice because of its rich texture and the way it holds its shape throughout the entire season. Plaid wired ribbon is a close second for farmhouse and rustic styles. Avoid non-wired ribbon for toppers — it will lose its shape within days and require constant restyling.
How big should a Christmas tree bow topper be?
For most standard Christmas trees between 6 and 8 feet tall, a bow topper with loops approximately 8 to 12 inches across looks proportional and visually balanced. For larger trees over 9 feet, you can go bigger — loops up to 14 or 16 inches wide create the impact these taller trees require. The tails should be long enough to drape at least 12 to 18 inches down through the upper branches for the best visual effect. When in doubt, go slightly larger rather than smaller — a bow topper that’s too small disappears against the branches.
Can I use a bow topper on an artificial tree?
Absolutely. Bow toppers actually work particularly well on artificial trees because the branch tips tend to be more uniform and easier to work with than real tree branches. Use a pipe cleaner or a small length of floral wire to secure the bow to the uppermost branch, wrapping it around the central stem of the tree for maximum stability. Shape the tails to flow naturally around and between the branches as they descend. The bow will stay exactly where you place it throughout the season without any additional adjusting.
How do I make my bow topper stay in place?
The most reliable method is to use floral wire or a pipe cleaner looped through the base of the bow and then wrapped tightly around the top central stem of the tree. For heavier velvet or fabric bows, use two points of attachment rather than one. Make sure the uppermost branch of the tree is bent slightly inward toward the bow’s base for additional support. Once secured with wire, the bow should remain stable even if the tree is bumped or if you need to adjust the ribbon tails around the branches.
Where can I buy a Christmas tree bow topper?
Ready-made bow toppers are available at a wide range of price points. Pottery Barn Teen carries the LoveShackFancy Bow Tree Topper in ivory, pink, and red at $129 — a beautifully made option with a romantic, feminine aesthetic. For more budget-friendly options, craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby carry a wide range of wired ribbons specifically designed for Christmas tree toppers, allowing you to make your own for under $15. Amazon and Etsy also offer a wide range of handmade and ready-made bow toppers in virtually every style, color, and material imaginable.