How to Tie a Christmas Bow With Wrapping Paper

Make Christmas decorations from leftover pieces of wrapping paper.

Top a Christmas gift with a homemade bow made from scraps of wrapping paper or decorate a party room with a multitude of wrapping paper bows. You can adjust the size of the bows to accommodate your gift-wrapping or decorating needs, or use bow-making as an activity for children at a Christmas party. Cut out the wrapping paper strips ahead of time from different-patterned paper and let the kids assemble riotous bows from the different patterns.

Things You'll Need

• Wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Craft glue

Instructions

1. Cut 12 strips for the bottom layer of the bow. Make each strip 12 inches long by 2 inches wide. (For a smaller bow, cut 10 strips and make each strip 8 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide.)

2. Apply craft glue to the inside edge of one short end of each bow. Fold each bow in half to make a loop and press the ends together to glue.

3. Apply a few drops of glue over top of the end of each loop. Arrange the 12 loops in a circle and overlap the ends in the center. Press firmly in the center to make sure the glue adheres.

4. Cut 8 strips for the second layer of the bow. Make each strip 10 inches by 2 inches for a large bow or 5 inches by 1 1/2 inches for a smaller bow. Fold each strip into a loop and glue the ends to adhere.

5. Spread some glue on top of each end and arrange the loops in a circle. Overlap the edges and press firmly. Apply glue to the bottom of the second layer and press it into the center of the bottom layer.

6. Cut 4 strips for the third layer. Make each strip 7 inches by 2 inches for a large bow. When making a smaller bow, cut one 5- by 1 1/2-inch strip. Fold each strip into a loop and glue the ends together.

7. Spread glue on each end and arrange in a circle. Overlap the ends and press firmly. Spread glue on the bottom of the layer and press it into the center of the second layer. (When making a smaller bow, apply glue to the bottom of the single loop and press it into the center of the second layer to complete the bow.)

8. Cut 1 strip for the fourth layer if you are making a large bow. Make the strip 6 inches by 2 inches. Fold the strip to make a loop and glue the ends. Apply glue to the end of the loop and press into the center of the bow.

Tips & Warnings

• If the glue is not strong enough to hold the bow together, staple the layers together or use a strong sewing needle and sew a few stitches through the layers in the center of the bow.

References

• Ask The Decorator: Instructions for Making Beautiful Bows
• "The Gift Wrapping Book: Over 150 Ideas for All Occasions"; Caroline Birkett; 2002