The Christmas Gift
It isn’t the flowing ribbons draped and curled with care,
Or the fine and fancy bows tied with ornamental flair.
It isn’t the label on the box, the sum of money spent,
Or anything that shows the length to which you obviously went.
The beauty of a Christmas gift cannot be seen at all.
For the loveliness of giving is a feeling, grand and tall.
It’s the genuine offer of love, the yearning to make a connection,
A show of honest gratitude, a display of sincere affection.
~Author Unknown~
Packages aren’t the only place ribbon can be used when decorating for the holidays. With some planning and imagination, ribbon can bring color and texture to holiday decorations. The use of ribbon is a quick and inexpensive way to freshen up decorations you have used in the past. There are many wonderful ribbon choices at fabric and craft stores, as well as online, and I have also found beautiful ribbon at Sam’s and Costco.
Bows and ribbon can be a way to unify or coordinate your Christmas decorations throughout your home. First, decide on a color scheme to follow. Look around your home… what colors have you chosen to live with? Let these colors be your guide and select colors that complement those of your home’s color scheme to bring out a seasonal feeling.
Use the same ribbon in every room or buy coordinating ribbon in contrasting colors. Purchase different widths of the same design so you can use narrower around candlesticks and wider on wreaths and garlands. Be sure to buy more ribbon than you think you will need. You may not be able to find more of your chosen pattern and color if you come up short… and you can always use leftover ribbon to tie a package.
Decorating with ribbon:
- Dress up a simple Christmas tree ornament with a pretty bow or ribbon knot.
- Tie ornaments on your tree with ribbon instead of hooks.
- Add bows to your houseplants for a festive look.
- Make bows (at least 12 or so) to add color and texture to your Christmas tree.
- Two or three large bows at the top with streamers are a pretty addition to your tree.
- Use ribbon as you would garland on your tree or intermingle it with your tinsel or beaded garland to add color.
- Make a big impact by hanging ornaments from your chandelier with different lengths of ribbon.
- Tie ribbon on your holiday packages. Use colors that coordinate with your holiday color scheme.
- Set the mood by adding ribbon and bows to banisters, wreaths, mantels, swags, and mailboxes.
- Hang a wreath in a window, on a mirror or over a door with a loop of ribbon.
- Tie ribbon around each napkin and insert a candy cane or sprig of greenery and berries to place atop the place setting.
Have fun using ribbon in you holiday decorating this year. If you need help making a bow, there are plenty of videos on YouTube. For example, try How to Make a Bow / Bow Making 101 at youtu.be/h0ujE4ozpUg.
Whatever your bows look like, seize the spirit of Christmas, cherish the fellowship of friends and family and enjoy giving…. Merry Christmas to all!
A quick and easy recipe for you to enjoy during the holidays:
Snowdrop Cookies
2 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350. Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar, salt and vanilla and continue beating until stiff. Gently fold in chocolate chips and pecans. Drop by teaspoon full to make little mounds on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Place cookies in the oven and immediately turn oven off. Leave cookies in oven overnight. Turning the oven off and not opening the oven until morning is very important to the success of these cookies. Makes 58 cookies.
