It’s the holiday season and the house smells of balsam and orange clove as snow hushes the street outside. In the living room, a pine-soft glow pools across the floor while classic Christmas tree ideas with bows come to life: traditional reds and blue velvet ribbon, satin ribbon with a touch of gold, all catching the twinkle lights like sugar on shortbread. The whole scene feels calm and sparkling, a beautifully decorated tree inviting everyone closer.
Check out these Classic Christmas Tree Ideas and get inspired for a traditional style Christmas this year.
This post is to inspire you to decorate your tree in a vintage or classic Christmas Tree Ideas with bows and ribbons for the holidays.
🎄 Jump to TreesChristmas Tree Series
What makes a Christmas tree look “classic” with ribbons and bows?
A classic tree with ribbons and bows starts with a calm color scheme and the right ribbon, then builds out a beautifully decorated tree that feels timeless.
The first step is picking a type of ribbon that fits your tree’s theme and living room, think wire-edged ribbon for straight lines and natural flow on a larger tree, or non-wired ribbon and thinner ribbons for small trees and smaller pieces. Choose traditional reds, a touch of gold, or various colors if you want a modern look. Satin ribbon, plaid ribbons, or a blue velvet ribbon each create a different designer look, and wider ribbons or wide ribbon give an instant elegant look with less ribbon overall.
Work from the top of the tree to the back of the tree, planning ribbon placement in lengths of ribbon that match the length of ribbon you like to tie bows. Make a classic bow or a simple bow, then add a ribbon bow with longer tails at the top of your tree as a tree topper.
Pre-tied bows are an inexpensive way to add pops of color to tree branches on a real tree or artificial tree, and ornament hooks or a bobby pin can secure the ends of the ribbon. Try different ribbons in different ways, from an easy way of tucking the end of the ribbon into the branches to the easiest way of using decorative ribbons in loops.
An interior designer might call this step-by-step instructions, but the best part is how your own tree turns into a gorgeous tree and a classic look.
Which ribbon colors and textures create a timeless color palette?
Timeless starts with a calm, cohesive color palette that pairs heritage tones with soft shines. Think traditional reds and deep evergreen anchored by ivory or cream, then add a touch of gold for an elegant look. If you want quiet depth, layer burgundy, pewter, and forest green; for gentle pops of color, bring in navy with a blue velvet ribbon. Keep your color scheme tight—two anchors with one accent—so various colors feel intentional, not busy, and the result is a truly classic look for the holiday season.
Texture is the secret sauce.
Velvet and satin ribbon read luxe, plaid ribbons add tradition, with linen and gauze feeling airy. Choose the type of ribbon to match your vibe: wire-edged ribbon holds straight lines and structured loops, non-wired ribbon drapes with a natural flow. Use wider ribbons or wide ribbon for a grand base on a larger tree, and thinner ribbons for detail on small trees.
Finish with a classic bow in your favorite ribbon and echo those materials in your Christmas decor so the whole tree feels collected and enduring.
When you’re ready to shop, peek at our curated woodland creatures and picks in the Slowestuff storefront, easy, cohesive, and totally whimsical.
Slowestuff Christmas Corner
If you haven’t before stumbled across the Slowestuff website, we post all kinds of stuff for all the seasons!
We have all the gift ideas you can think of, for everyone on your list. Gifts for mom? We got you. Daughters or girlfriends? Also got you! We even have ideas about what to get a new boyfriend, without feeling awkward. What about client gifts? We got that too.
Trying to come up with the perfect holiday playlist? There are so many amazing songs that we bet you haven’t even thought of. Check out our recommendations for best blues songs, punk songs, and even funny ones to have that playlist be one everyone wants to copy.
Scrapbookers and journalers, we have plenty of holiday inspiration over in the scrapbook section.
Check out our Seasonal Content section here. We have drop downs where you can find season specific posts for all kinds of holidays, plus each season. Our Christmas section has plenty of gift ideas for everyone on your list.
Classic Christmas Tree Decorating FAQs:
Cut the ribbon into 18–36 inch pieces, then work from the top of the tree down. Tuck each piece into the tree branches in soft S-curves for a natural flow. Use wire-edged ribbon for structure and mix one wide ribbon with a thinner accent. Secure ends with floral wire or ornament hooks so the ends of the ribbon stay put. We show ribbon placement and styling ideas in this blog post. For presents under that tree, our Christmas Gift Guides in our Christmas section have you covered.
Plan 1–2 yards per foot of tree height. Go toward 1 yard for a minimal style with less ribbon, and 2 yards for layered loops, ribbon bow clusters, and cascades on a larger tree. Add 3–5 extra yards for bows or longer tails.
First step: fluff the tree well. Then lights, garland, and christmas ribbon. Next place largest ornaments, followed by medium and small, then picks and sprays. Finish with the tree topper and a few accents at the back of the tree so the whole thing feels balanced.
Choose the right ribbon for your goal. Wire-edged ribbon keeps straight lines and loops for a classic bow. Non-wired ribbon drapes softly for a modern look. Tie small bows or a big bow with floral wire, then anchor to an inner branch so the needles support the bow and the longer tails. You can also use pre-tied bows for speed.
WHERE CAN I FIND SOME CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TREE IDEAS WITH BOWS AND RIBBONS?
32 Classic Christmas Tree Ideas for the holidays
We absolutely LOVE looking at these classic Christmas tree creations! So many ideas to inspire and make your own magical and elegant classic Christmas tree this year.
We love the simple, old-school charm of these classic trees. Think neat velvet or satin bows in traditional reds and golds, tidy ribbon tails tucked between glass ornaments, and a look that feels balanced and timeless. The room fills with balsam, pine, cinnamon, and clove, and the whole tree reads warm, elegant, and beautifully familiar.
There are elaborate designs and simple designs, all of which completely work and are a joy to look at.
All creators are credited, and their Instagram page is linked to each picture, so please do check out their pages to see their other work too!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included for convenience and ease of reference. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.
Where Can I Find the Best Classic Christmas Trees?
We also loved looking at all the different types of trees that people use to create their classic themed Christmas trees. Obviously using an artificial tree and not a live tree gives you the benefit of being able to customize for whatever you want!
The type of Christmas tree also lends to the whole rustic Christmas tree vibe. Fir trees, balsam fir, Norway spruce are all great options for vintage or classic Christmas trees.
From full to skinny, natural green color, to flocked with white, or all white, plus a small trees too, we were so inspired by all of them! We will add a few here to make it easy for you to find if you liked them too.
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32 Classic Christmas Tree Ideas with Bows (Timeless, Elegant & Cozy)
We hope this post has given you plenty of inspiration for your Classic Christmas tree!
Please definitely tag us with your creations! We would love to see them!
Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Check out our Christmas section of the blog with lots of great gift ideas, some year round Christmas tree ideas, plus plenty more!
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Happy Decorating & Happy Holidays!!
Slowestuff
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