How to Tie Boxes

Adding ribbon to a package can really add to the visual appeal.

Gift boxes look nice with wrapping paper, but you can easily dress them up even more with an elegant bowed tied on top. If the ribbon is especially fancy, you can skip the paper all together and simply tie a bow on top. There are several ways you can tie the top of a box. These bows are simple to make and only take a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Box
• Wide ribbon
• Scissors
• Curling ribbon

Instructions

Wrapping the Ribbon

1. Wrap the ribbon around the box in the long direction.

2. Turn the box over so that the ribbon is on the bottom and pull the two ribbon ends together in the middle.

3. Twist the ribbons around each other so that they face the opposite sides of the box that were just wrapped.

4. Wrap the ribbon over the short sides and flip the box back over.

5. Pull the ribbons to the middle of the box and tie together in a knot.

Simple Knots

1. Wrap a piece of ribbon around the box as directed above.

2. Knot the ribbon on the top of the box in the center or off center.

3. Cut the ribbon close to the knot so that none hangs off, or leave two longer tails.

Curling Ribbon Bow

1. Wrap the box with curling ribbon as described above, knotting it in the center.

2. Cut several 4- to 6-inch pieces of curling ribbon in the same or coordinating color.

3. Knot the curling ribbon around the knot in the original ribbon.

4. Open your scissors all the way and lay the flat side against one piece of ribbon.

5. Pull the scissors along the ribbon, all the way from the knot to the end. When you release the ribbon, it will curl up tightly. Repeat with the remaining pieces of ribbon.

Multi-Loop Ribbon

1. Wrap a wide ribbon six times around your finger and thumb to the width you desire.

2. Remove the ribbon from your fingers and squeeze it together in the middle, keeping the ribbons lined up.

3. Press the end of the two loops flat and make a 'V' shape at each end. Do not cut through the entire fold, however.

4. Open your fingers in the middle so it now looks like one large circle.

5. Squeeze the circle together again, this time with the cut parts together in the center.

6. Wrap a piece of skinny curling ribbon around the center, making sure the inverted V's line up. Tie this ribbon as tightly as possible.

7. Put the two loops over your thumb and middle finger on one hand. Use your other hand to pull out the different loops, starting from the inside. Alternate sides that you pull from so the bow is not lopsided.

8. Arrange the loops until they look perfect.

References

• Well Chosen Gifts: Gift Bows
• The Container Store: Bows
• Oprah: Tie a Bow
• Good Housekeeping: Gift Bows
• Paper Source: Bows