Best Christmas Tree Ribbons: What to Buy and What to Skip
The best Christmas tree ribbons in velvet, burlap and gingham, plus how much ribbon you need and how to store it.
Ribbon is one of the easiest ways to give a Christmas tree a designer look. A few cascading streamers of velvet or burlap tie ornaments together, fill gaps between branches and make even a budget tree look intentional. The best christmas tree ribbons are wired so they hold their shape, wide enough to show from across the room and long enough to cover a full size tree without running out halfway down.
Below you will find the product table, our three top picks, a buying guide on color, width, materials and storage, styling ideas for the rest of the house, and answers to common questions.
Our Top 3 Christmas Tree Ribbons at a Glance
To pick the best christmas tree ribbons, we compared width, length, wire edges, material and ratings from Amazon buyers. These three cover an elegant velvet favorite, a budget burlap roll and a long premium velvet roll for big trees.
Best for Most Homes: Ribbli 2.5 Inch Red and Gold Crushed Velvet Wired Ribbon
Red velvet is the classic Christmas ribbon, and this Ribbli roll adds a touch of metallic gold. It has more than a thousand ratings and a 4.8 star average.
- 2.5 inch width, a versatile size for tree streamers, bows and wreaths.
- Crushed velvet with metallic red and gold that catches the light from the tree.
- Wired edges that let you shape loops and waves that stay in place.
The trade off is that one roll may not cover a large tree, so plan on two or three rolls for a 7.5 foot tree. For a rich, traditional look, it is the ribbon we would choose for most homes. At around $20, it is our top pick.
Best Value: LaRibbons 6 Inch Natural Burlap Ribbon
For a rustic farmhouse tree, wide burlap is a budget friendly favorite. This LaRibbons roll has more than ten thousand ratings and a 4.7 star average.
- 6 inch width that makes a bold statement on a full tree.
- 10 yards of natural burlap, enough for generous streamers.
- Neutral color that pairs with red, white, plaid or wood ornaments.
The limitation is that burlap can shed a few fibers when you first cut it, and it lacks the shine of velvet. For a cozy, natural look, it is hard to beat. At around $14, it is our best value pick.
Best Splurge: Royal Imports 2.5 Inch Red Velvet Wired Ribbon, 50 Yards
If you decorate a large tree, a mantel and a wreath, a long roll saves trips to the store. This Royal Imports velvet ribbon has a 4.8 star average from about a thousand buyers.
- 50 yards on one roll, enough for a big tree plus bows around the house.
- Wired red velvet that holds its shape.
- Waterproof finish, so it can also decorate a porch wreath or outdoor garland.
The downside is a higher upfront price than small rolls. Per yard, though, it is excellent value for heavy decorators. At around $30, it is our splurge pick.
How to Choose the Best Christmas Tree Ribbons
Christmas tree ribbons come in many widths, materials and patterns. These six points help you choose.
Style and Color Palette
Start with your ornaments. Red velvet suits traditional trees, burlap suits farmhouse and rustic trees, and gingham or plaid suits cozy, country looks. Choose one main ribbon and, if you like, one accent ribbon in a coordinating color, such as red velvet with a beige check.
Size and Placement
Wider ribbons, from 4 to 6 inches, read clearly from across the room and suit large trees. A 2.5 inch ribbon works on most trees and for bows. For a 7.5 foot tree with vertical cascades, plan on roughly 25 to 50 yards, depending on how many streamers you use.
Materials and Quality
Velvet looks luxurious and drapes beautifully. Burlap is rustic and textured. Satin and taffeta gingham are lighter and shinier. Wired edges are the most important feature for tree ribbon, since they let you create loops and waves that do not flatten overnight.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
Most ribbon is made for indoor use. For porch wreaths and outdoor garlands, choose a waterproof ribbon like the Royal Imports velvet so rain does not ruin the color or shape.
Lights and Power
Ribbon itself does not light up, but it can frame your tree lights beautifully. Keep ribbon from wrapping tightly around light bulbs, and tuck it behind the light strands so the glow shines through.
Storage and Reuse
Wired ribbon can be reused for years. Roll it loosely around a cardboard tube or the original spool, rather than crushing it in a bin, so the wire keeps its shape.
Types of Christmas Tree Ribbons
Here is how the main ribbon styles compare.
| Type | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Traditional, elegant trees | Crushes if stored tightly |
| Burlap | Rustic and farmhouse trees | Sheds a little when cut |
| Gingham and plaid | Country and cozy looks | Busy patterns can clash |
| Metallic accents | Glam and sparkly trees | Can look dated if overused |
Traditional
Red velvet ribbons, like the Syhood velvet with gold edges or the Dark Red double sided velvet, create a timeless look.
Modern and minimalist
A single color ribbon in white, gold or silver gives a clean, modern tree.
Rustic and farmhouse
Burlap rolls, like the Morex natural burlap and the 4 inch burlap ribbon, pair with wood beads and plaid ornaments.
Light up options
For extra sparkle, choose metallic or crushed velvet ribbons that reflect the tree lights, such as the 4 inch Ribbli red and gold velvet.
Styling Ideas
Extra ribbon can tie your whole home together.
Entryway and Porch
Tie a big bow on the front door wreath with waterproof velvet, or wrap porch railings with burlap streamers.
Living Room and Mantel
Weave the same ribbon through a mantel garland so it matches the tree. Add small bows to stocking hooks for a coordinated look.
Dining Table
Use gingham or velvet ribbon to tie napkins, wrap candle holders or run down the center of the table as a simple runner.
Are Christmas Tree Ribbons a Good Holiday Gift?
Yes, especially for crafters and people who love decorating. A few rolls of quality wired ribbon make a thoughtful gift for wreath makers, gift wrappers and anyone with a new tree. Pair ribbon with a bow maker or a set of ornaments for a complete gift. For more crafty gift ideas, see our guide to the best gifts for knitters.
Order early so ribbon arrives before decorating weekend, and check the delivery estimate on the Amazon product page during the busy season.
Safety Tips Before You Buy
Keep ribbon away from candles, fireplaces and hot light bulbs. Do not wrap ribbon tightly around light strands, since that can trap heat. Wired ribbon has thin metal edges, so keep loose scraps away from pets and toddlers who might chew them. When cutting ribbon, use sharp scissors and keep the spool off the floor so no one trips over it.
FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about tree ribbon.
When should you put up Christmas tree ribbons?
Add ribbon after the lights and before ornaments. That way the ribbon sits close to the branches and ornaments can hang in front of it.
How do you keep Christmas tree ribbons looking good year after year?
Roll wired ribbon loosely around a tube or spool and store it in a dry box. Avoid crushing velvet under heavy decorations.
Are battery operated Christmas tree ribbons worth it?
Ribbon with built in lights exists, but most decorators prefer wired fabric ribbon paired with the tree's own lights. It looks more natural and is easier to reuse.
How do you store Christmas tree ribbons after the holidays?
Remove the ribbon carefully, smooth out the wire and roll it back onto its spool or a cardboard tube.
Where can you buy Christmas tree ribbons online?
Amazon carries ribbon from Ribbli, Royal Imports, LaRibbons, Morex, Syhood and more, and the table above shows current options and prices.
Final Thoughts
The best christmas tree ribbons pull your tree together with color and texture. The Ribbli red and gold velvet is our top pick, the LaRibbons 6 inch burlap is the best value and the Royal Imports 50 yard velvet roll is the splurge for big decorating plans. Choose a style that matches your ornaments and compare current prices in the product table above.
