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To make a ribbon Christmas tree topper, build a large multi-loop bow from wide wired ribbon, add long cascading tails, and layer two or three coordinating ribbons for depth, then wire the whole thing to the top central branch of the tree and let the tails flow down into the branches. A ribbon topper is a softer, easily-restyled alternative to a star or angel — and it ties the treetop into any ribbon you've woven through the rest of the tree.
Plan the topper: wired ribbon, layered loops & color
A topper has to read from across the room, so scale is everything. Use wide wired ribbon, 4 inches or more, and plan for big loops and long tails in proportion with the tree — a small bow gets lost up top. Mixing two or three ribbons (a solid, a pattern, and a metallic) gives the topper layered depth and makes it look designer rather than homemade. Choose colors that match the ribbon and ornaments already on your tree so the topper feels like the crown of a cohesive whole.
What you'll need
- Wide wired ribbon — 6–10 yards total across two or three coordinating ribbons.
- Floral wire — a generous length for binding and long ends for attaching to the tree.
- Scissors and fray-check or a lighter for cut ends.
- Optional accents — picks, berries, or a small ornament cluster for the center.
- A stable step stool to reach and arrange the treetop.
How to make a ribbon Christmas tree topper step by step
Build the bow, then add cascade tails & picks
- Build the base bow. Using your widest ribbon, form a multi-loop bow — a center loop, then matching loops alternating side to side until it's large and full.
- Layer the second ribbon. Make a second set of loops in a coordinating ribbon and stack it over or under the first, offsetting the loops for depth.
- Add extra loops and picks. Tuck in a few more loops or metallic ribbon and any accents so the bow reads full from a distance.
- Bind the center. Wrap floral wire tightly around the pinched middle several times, leaving long wire ends free for attaching.
- Cut the cascading tails. Attach long streamer tails under the center, cutting them at graduating lengths and angling or notching the ends.
- Attach to the treetop. Use the long wire ends to tie the bow firmly to the top central branch, anchoring it low enough to sit stable.
- Cascade the tails. Arrange the tails to flow downward and tuck their tips into the upper branches so they look woven into the tree.
- Fluff and finish. Step back, then separate and shape every loop and curl the tails so the whole topper is rounded and generous.
Layering wired ribbon for a full, cascading bow with metallic accents
The signature of a great ribbon topper is cascade and layers. Instead of one flat bow, stack loops from two or three ribbons so the topper has front-to-back depth, and let long tails spill down from the crown into the branches — this is what connects the topper to the tree rather than perching on top of it. Curl and twist the wired tails so they flow and catch the light, and vary the loop sizes so no two are identical. If you've woven ribbon vertically down the tree, run the topper's tails to meet it for a seamless, professional finish.
Attaching to the treetop and central branch with floral wire
A topper that leans or slides ruins the effect, so anchor it properly. Leave long floral-wire ends on the back of the bow when you bind the center, then wrap them around the top central branch — the sturdy leader at the very top — and twist tight. Seat the bow low enough on the branch that its weight is supported and it can't tip forward. On an artificial tree you can also hook the wire around a couple of upper branch tips for extra stability. Once it's fixed, do all your fluffing and tail-arranging in place so the shape settles exactly how it'll be seen.
Fluff the loops: a ribbon topper vs a star or angel
Finish by fluffing every loop and curling the tails in place. A fluffed ribbon bow is a softer, less top-heavy alternative to a star or angel topper, and it's easy to restyle with new ribbon each year.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Too small. A topper must read from across the room — go big with wide ribbon and long tails.
- One flat ribbon. Layer two or three ribbons for depth instead of a single flat bow.
- Short tails. Long cascading tails tie the topper into the tree; short ones look stubby.
- Loose attachment. Wire it firmly to the central branch so it can't lean or slide.
- Skipping the fluff. Arrange every loop and curl in place for a rounded, finished look.
New to bow-making? Start with how to make a Christmas bow, then see how to make a bow for a Christmas tree topper. To coordinate the rest of the tree, see how to put ribbon on a Christmas tree and decorating with ribbon and mesh. More projects live in the Install & How-To Guides. To shop, compare the best Christmas tree ribbon and the best Christmas tree topper, or weigh a star vs angel tree topper.
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