Christmas Door Bows: How to Choose, Hang and Make One
Your front door is the first thing guests see this Christmas. A big, bold door bow is one of the quickest ways to make your home look festive, and it takes just minutes to put up.
In this guide we’ll help you choose the right Christmas door bow, show you how to hang it without damaging your paintwork, and share a simple way to make your own. We’ll also look at how to use a door bow long after the decorations come down.
🎀 Why Door Bows Are So Popular
Wreaths are a Christmas classic, but oversized door bows have become a favourite way to dress a front door. Here’s why:
- They make a big statement. A large bow stretching across the door can be seen from the street, which is perfect for photos.
- They’re quick to put up. No wiring, no greenery to arrange, and no needles dropping on the doormat.
- They work for more than Christmas. Choose a colour like gold, silver or rose gold and you can use it again for weddings, christenings and other celebrations.
- They pair well with a wreath. Can’t choose? Put the bow at the top of the door and a wreath in the middle.
🚪 Choosing the Right Door Bow
Size. Our door bows are designed to fit a single standard sized door. If you have double doors, a pair of matching bows, one on each door, looks lovely and keeps things balanced.
Colour. Think about the colour of your door and the look you want:
- Red: the traditional Christmas choice. Our red bow for door stands out beautifully on white, grey, black and wooden doors.
- Gold: warm and classic. A gold door bow looks rich against navy, green and black doors.
- Silver: cool and frosty. The silver door bow suits a winter wonderland theme and works for New Year’s Eve too.
- Rose gold: soft and elegant. Rose gold door bows are popular for weddings, christenings and engagements as well as Christmas.
Each of our bows is made from stiff net material, has a diamante detail in the middle, and comes with fitting instructions.
🔧 Hanging a Door Bow Without Damaging Paint
Always follow the fitting instructions that come with your bow first. Then keep these tips in mind to protect your door:
1. Avoid nails, screws and sticky tape on the door. Nails leave holes, and ordinary tape can lift paint or leave marks, especially on a painted front door.
2. Use the door itself to hold the bow. Many people loop ribbon or wide tape around the top of the door so the bow hangs on the front, with the ribbon secured on the inside edge. Check the door still closes and locks properly before you leave it.
3. Try an over-the-door hook. These slot over the top of the door, so nothing is stuck or fixed to the paintwork. Make sure the hook is thin enough for the door to close.
4. Test removable adhesive hooks first. If you’d rather use an adhesive hook, choose one that’s suitable for outdoor use and test it on a hidden area first, as some paints and finishes can still lift.
5. Keep it clear of the letterbox and handle. Hang the bow high enough that post can still get through and nobody catches it when opening the door.
☔ Indoors vs Outdoors
Our door bows are made from stiff net material, which is perfect for outdoor use, so they’ll keep their shape on your front door through the festive season.
That said, British winters can be wild! If strong winds or storms are forecast, it’s worth checking the bow is secure or bringing it inside for the night. If it gets wet, let it dry naturally and gently reshape the loops by hand.
Door bows look just as good indoors. Try one on an internal door, on the living room door where the tree is, or on the front of a gift table. For more festive ideas, see our guide on how to dress a Christmas table.
✂️ How to Make Your Own Door Bow
Fancy a craft project? Here’s a simple way to make a large DIY door bow:
1. Choose your ribbon. Use a wide ribbon (wired ribbon holds its shape best) and allow plenty of length, as a big bow uses more than you think.
2. Make the loops. Leave a long tail, then fold the ribbon into a loop on one side and a matching loop on the other, pinching it in the middle like a figure of eight. Add a second set of loops on top if you want a fuller bow.
3. Tie the centre. Wrap a piece of thin wire or string tightly around the middle where you’re pinching, then cover it with a short strip of ribbon wrapped around the centre to make a neat knot.
4. Add the tails. Let the two long tails hang down and cut the ends into a V shape or at an angle to stop them fraying.
5. Fluff and shape. Open out the loops with your fingers and bend the wired edges until you’re happy with the shape. Then hang it using one of the methods above.
Short on time? A ready-made bow saves you all the cutting and tying, and arrives ready to hang.
💍 Beyond Christmas: Weddings, Birthdays and More
A door bow isn’t just for December. Use it to welcome guests to:
- Weddings: on the church or venue door, the couple’s family home or the door of a hotel suite.
- Christenings and engagements: a rose gold or silver bow on the front door sets the scene for a family celebration.
- Birthdays and anniversaries: a gold bow on the front door is a lovely surprise for a milestone birthday or a golden anniversary.
- New Year’s Eve: silver or gold bows look fantastic for a party at home.
To make the most of your bow, keep it in its packaging or a box between uses so the loops don’t get crushed.
❓ Christmas Door Bow FAQs
How do you make a door bow?
Make two large loops of wide, wired ribbon in a figure of eight, tie them tightly in the middle, cover the centre with a short strip of ribbon and leave two long tails. Our step-by-step guide above shows you how.
How do you attach a bow to a front door?
Follow the fitting instructions with your bow. To protect paint, avoid nails and tape, and use ribbon looped over the door or an over-the-door hook instead.
Can door bows go outside?
Yes. Our door bows are made from stiff net material, which is perfect for outdoor use. In very stormy weather, check it’s secure or bring it inside.
Will a door bow fit my door?
Our door bows are designed to fit a single standard sized door. For double doors, use one bow on each door.
When should I put my Christmas door bow up?
Whenever you put your other decorations up! Many people decorate from late November or early December and take everything down after Twelfth Night.
🎄 Ready to Dress Your Door?
From classic red to gold, silver and rose gold, you’ll find the perfect bow to welcome guests this Christmas at Party Save Smile, with Next Day delivery available and Free Delivery on qualifying orders.