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Upgrade Christmas Gifts with 3D Paper Bows

by on Dec 18, 2017

As the time comes to wrap up Christmas gifts this season, why not try something different? Skip the ribbons and string this year and opt for 3D paper bows instead! They’re unique, customizable and reusable…not to mention recyclable. There are at least THREE different techniques for making paper bows at home, and they’re all very easy to complete with or without templates. Mix and match paper patterns and colors, and prepare to up your gift wrap game! 

Several presents wrapped with pretty bows on the top.

gold scissors and tape on top of folders

Materials:

  • Cardstock paper
  • Scissors
  • Double sided tape
  • Paper cutter (recommended)
  • Paper bow template

Bow Style #1 

Step

Cut a square in any size, and cut a ribbon-like bottom using the bow template. This example is 4.5 inches square. 

A person using scissors to cut some green paper.

Step

Fold the square corner to corner, then fold it the opposite corner to corner, creating a grid. Cut along the diagonal folds, meeting in the middle of paper but leaving a small landing to keep the piece intact. The result looks like the below photo. 

green  paper folding

Step

Place a piece of double sided tape in the middle. Bend the four pointed corners into the middle and stick to the tape. 

A person pinching a green bow.

Step

Cut a small rectangle of paper and wrap around the middle with another piece of double sided tape. Then use tape to attach the ribbon bottom to the backside of the bow. 

Bow Style #2

A person is peeling tape off of a purple pattern.

Step

Cut out the three-piece bow template. Feel free to mix colors/patterns.

Step

Place a piece of double sided tape in the middle of the largest piece. 

Hand with dark pink fingernails demonstrating how to make a bow using purple paper.

Step

Bend the ends to meet in the middle, sticking to the tape. Wrap the remaining piece around the middle to cover it, adhering with another piece of tape. 

Step

Use another piece of tape to stick the bow to the back ribbon. 

Bow Style #3

A pair of metal scissors sitting on pieces of cloth.

Step

Cut 7 strips of paper, about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long. It’s easiest to use a paper cutter if you have one. 

A person making a loop with a piece of white and blue paper.

Step

With double sided tape, loop 6 of the 7 pieces and adhere the ends together. Then press down the middle of the loop and stick together with another piece of tape. 

Bows being made from white paper with green polka dots.

Step

Layer the pieces on top of each other off-center to create the bow. 

A woman glues together white paper with teal polka dots and rolled into circles to make bows.

Step

Cut the remaining strip in half. Loop the ends together with tape and stick to the middle of the bow to complete it. 

Gift boxes in solid-color wrapping with bows, next to gold holiday tree.

There you have it! With these three ways to make paper bows, your Christmas gifts will look better than ever. I know I appreciate a well-wrapped gift, and I’m sure your friends and family will too!

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