Few Christmas traditions are as timeless as red ribbons – one (said to symbolize family bonds) that has lived through decades of ever-changing decor trends. Red ribbons are budget-friendly, simple, and accessible to all, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Millie Bobby Brown from bringing them to the forefront of her tree.
The Stranger Things actress and model Jake Bongiovi used their Christmas tree as a reminder that time-honored holiday traditions are ageless for a reason – using red ribbon (with a gold trim) to bring instant texture to their tree. Staying true to more Christmas decorating traditions, the couple complemented the ribbon with red and green ornaments and white string lights – creating a color palette that has prolonged for years.
'A Christmas classic, red ribbon is a great investment as it’ll never be out of style for the festive season,' comments Samantha Picard, an ambassador at Balsam Hill. When styling red ribbon, it's impossible to go wrong. Bobby Brown wraps the ribbon around the tree – but this year, Picard recommends turning ribbons into bows.
'Ribbon trending this year because of the popularity of bows which still shows no signs of waning: bow videos on TikTok have been viewed more than 1 billion times,' she comments. 'I love to attach pretied bows to my garlands and wreaths as these oversized pieces add fantastic impact and drama, plus the red really pops against the green foliage!'
Get the look
Just like the red ribbon on Bobby Brown and Bongiovi's tree, this silky textured decoration is double-sided and designed to come out of the decoration box year after year.
This pre-lit tree offers an instant Bobby Brown look without any fuss at all. It has 2,000 branch tips with realistic green PVC and PE pine needles for a lush, cashmere feel that feels completely natural. Place it in your entryway to instantly get the actress's aesthetic.
Perfect for tying into on-trend bows, this red ribbon (again, with Bobby Brown-inspired gold edging) taps perfectly into the traditonal look. Pair with your favorite ornaments for a warming, cozy tree that will feel fashionable for many holidays ahead.
'Red ribbon offers a timeless charm for Christmas decor. Its rich hue evokes warmth and festivity; it is also a versatile choice for various settings,' add the experts at Blooming Haus. Ribbons are one way to make your tree feel modern – but they also recommend weaving the ribbon through the branches for a cascading, contemporary effect.
'In the entryway or on your front door, red ribbon is usually used to adorn or hang wreaths. Red ribbon is happy to be the main and only character for a simple yet effective festive touch, or it can also be complimentary to many other festive decorations. For extra charm, choose deep crimson velvet ribbons. A bonus is that you can use this year after year!'
Luxe velvet
Bows are back in a big way for 2024 – as Picard (and the 1 billion views on TikTok) suggest. This red bow is designed to sit on top of your tree instead of a star or angel, and we think it's a beautiful twist on the classic.
Don't leave the ribbons for the Christmas tree or garland. Acclaimed designer, Monique Lhuillier's Christmas collection for Pottery Barn, is filled with bedroom bows like this set of 2 400-thread-count pillowcases that get softer with each wash. We think they're pretty enough to impress long after December.
Create luxe bows with this bright red velvet ribbon, perfect for decorating Christmas trees and staircases or wrapping around gifts (after you've adorned all your branches, that is).
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