Every December, we have the joy of observing (and writing about) the playful trends that shape how we decorate over the holidays – but in the case of some designs, we see them return year after year – and, eventually, decade after decade. This is the case in Reba McEntire's retro holiday postcard – where red ribbons and bows reign supreme.
The singer took to Instagram to announce the start of Christmas (and yes, it's officially happening because no one can argue with Reba), and, in doing so, shared a nostalgic shot of her younger self in a living room. Despite dating back through the decades, her Christmas decor would look just as perfect in a contemporary home – and the red ribbon is her secret.
Red ribbon is among the most versatile of all holiday decorations – perfect for tying around candles and draping from your mantlepiece (as Reba McEntire demonstrates) or using it as decoration for your Christmas tree and gifts– if you want to get even more creative.
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As good-looking today as they are in Reba McEntire's throwback Christmas postcard, red bows are one of the few trends that have survived through the years. This red bow takes the trend to new heights. It's designed to sit on top of your tree instead of a star or angel, and we think it's a beautiful twist on the classic.
Create luxe bows with this bright red velvet ribbon, perfect for decorating staircases or wrapping around gifts (after you've adorned your candles and mantlepiece, that is).
One-toned red bows fill McEntire's space, but she also exhibits some darker red pieces with a tartan twist. These bows from Wayfair are an almost perfect match. The pack includes six, perfect for scattering around your tree or in your garland and reef.
One reason a design trend has lived through the years is evolution. While red bows as a whole have remained in style, these pieces have varied in both size and texture. For 2024, Ann Marie Cousins, an interior designer and owner of AMC Design, says that thin velvet bows are particularly fashionable.
'Bows have been appearing on Christmas trees for centuries, usually in a glorious multitude of colors and lengths. However, thin velvet bows in particular are emerging as the decoration of 2024; these delicate additions to a tree can create real sophistication with minimal effort,' she says.
'The bows lend a haphazard, colorful luxury to Christmas trees and are really inexpensive; you could even use any ribbons you have collected over the years. Lean into whichever color you like to suit the style of your property or the theme of your decorations. I really like how there are so many textures available, from grosgrain and satin to luxury velvet.'
Alternatively, while red is eternally classic, she adds that thin black bows (such as these from Amazon) are pefect for a more minimalist living room, where monochromatic decorations create a pared-back yet modern effect.
Made of high-quality velvet material, they're soft and smooth to the touch, while their black colorway looks subtle yet classy and always in fashion.
'You don’t have to limit bows just to the tree, tie them to candlesticks and wall sconces, also around the napkins on the dining table or add larger bows to mantles so it is even easier to take the colourways through to other areas of the home.'
