Wrapping Paper Bow How To

Have you ever needed a matching bow for your gift or just wanted to make your own wrapping paper bow?  I make them almost every year.  Tonight I wrapped my first gift and made my first bow.
I could have just used a purchased bow like this:

But I think my homemade wrapping paper bow is much more interesting and it is super easy to make from wrapping paper.  I had a small section of the base paper left that I cut off the sides of my gift package.

Then I cut a few strips of green foil paper. Don't worry about being exact. My strips were all different widths. You can adjust the size later. 


You need a circle to begin the bow.  I just ripped off the top of a cardboard ribbon holder, but you can draw and cut one out of a cardboard box to whatever size you need if your gift is bigger.

Cut the strips as long as you want them to be when folded over. Then take out your trusty glue gun and glue the bottom shut, then glue the piece on the circle as above.

Mine ended up like this.  Then I did a second slightly shorter layer of the base paper and stuck them between the open spaces. I did 4 layers total, alternating the paper color.

The fun part is finding something of interest to finish off the top. I used a walnut (painted silver)

Then I glued on a gold star to finish off the bow.

Turn it over and put a good amount of hot glue on the bottom circle and position it where you would like it on the package.

Ta da!

Now don't you think that is a more interesting package than the one with the little purchased bow?  It's also a great way to use up leftover wrapping paper.

I have blogged about a  few other bows I've made. If you want another idea or two look under my "Gift Wrapping" label.