Long before I was born, my mom began a tradition of turning our kitchen cabinets into Christmas presents. Each year she wrapped every cabinet with ribbon and added a themed ornament. I still laugh at the story of my brother asking, “But how are we going to USE the cabinets now?”
When we bought our house, even with an older kitchen that wasn’t very stylish, I knew I wanted to continue this tradition. It’s an easy touch that makes a big visual impact, and kids adore it.
I’ve shared glimpses of this tradition over the years, and after getting lots of questions following our recent holiday home tour, I wanted to provide a clear how-to with tips to help you recreate it at home.
When and Where to Buy Ribbon
Craft stores typically discount ribbon at the start of the season to clear last year’s stock, and again at the end of the season. Watch for sales like buy-one-get-one or percentage-off offers. I bought my ribbon on a BOGO sale at a craft store a few years ago, and I recommend purchasing extra so you have matching ribbon for future years.
Having spare ribbon paid off when we renovated and I needed more pieces to match the existing set. If you don’t buy extras, you may have to find a different ribbon the next season, which can change the look.
How to Adhere the Ribbons
My go-to adhesive is a removable but strong tape commonly used for temporary fixes. It holds well on most surfaces and removes without damage if you peel it away slowly. Test any adhesive in an inconspicuous spot first. That said, simple Scotch tape works fine in many cases—my mom still uses it with great results.
If you prefer a neater inside finish, cut the ribbon long enough so the horizontal and vertical strips overlap on the back of the cabinet, and tape or clip them to each other rather than to the cabinet itself. This keeps the cabinet surface clean and makes removal easier.
Do I Wrap Every Cabinet?
To prevent the look from becoming overwhelming and to keep safety in mind, I follow a few simple rules:
- Single-door cabinets each get their own bow.
- Cabinets with two doors are treated as one larger gift: wrap them as a single unit and place the bow off-center on one of the doors.
- I only wrap upper cabinets so the ribbons stay out of reach of small children and pets.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Wrapping Cabinets
- Cut each ribbon piece with a few extra inches at the ends, or long enough to wrap fully around the door—whichever you prefer.
- Place and secure the horizontal ribbon first, then add the vertical ribbon.
- Use a fresh ribbon to tie a bow around the vertical strip. Fluff the bow and trim the tails on a diagonal for a polished look.
- Repeat for each cabinet you’re wrapping.
Removing and Storing the Ribbons
I reuse the same ribbons year after year, including the bows, so I don’t have to re-tie everything each season. My mom has used hers for more than 30 years. To store ribbons efficiently, keep the original ribbon roll and wrap the horizontal pieces around it. Leave bows tied to their vertical strips and store those together in a plastic bin with the leftover rolls.
It’s wise to keep an extra roll of the same ribbon in case one piece gets damaged or lost—this ensures a consistent look if you need to replace anything.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
This little tradition brings a lot of joy, and I love seeing others inspired by it. If you try wrapping your cabinets, I’d love to see photos—sharing those moments is one of the best parts of holiday decorating.