We’re all told not to judge a book by its cover, but that rule doesn’t necessarily apply to gifts. There’s nothing worse than finding the perfect gift for someone only to have it to show up under the tree covered in tape. (This obviously doesn’t apply to prank gifts that are difficult to open on purpose.) Learn how to make a bow properly and you’ll level up not just your gift-wrapping game but also your home decor and little one’s hair accessories in the bargain.

Whether your hand-eye coordination needs a bit of guidance or you just can’t get your ribbon tension right, we’re here to help. Making the perfect bow is actually easier than it looks once you know how. Read on for a step-by-step guide to how to make a bow perfectly, three different ways.

How to Make a Simple Bow

What You’ll Need:

• Ribbon
• Fabric scissors
• Measuring tape or ruler (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Cut the Ribbon

A good rule of thumb when cutting ribbon is to always opt for longer—you can always trim the excess. If you’re wrapping the ribbon around a box before tying the perfect finishing bow, measure out a length three or four times as long as the longest side of the box. Cut the ribbon with fabric scissors to avoid loose threads and get a sharp edge.

Step Two: Form the Base

Center the ribbon on top of the box. Then, holding one side down with your thumb, wrap the other section of ribbon around the box’s width. Cross the ribbon over the section you’re holding down, and wrap it around the length. Grab the piece of ribbon you were originally holding down, loop it up and over the wrapped ribbon, and pull it through the center.

Step Three: Tie the Bow

Tie a tight single cross at the base, then loop each section of ribbon as large as you want the “ears” of the bow to be. Cross and loop them, as if you were tying your shoes, and pull tight. Adjust the loops, straighten out the tails to your liking, and trim to your desired length. Voilà! A perfectly tied bow.

How to Make a Layered or Double Bow

What You’ll Need:

• Ribbon
• Fabric scissors
• Measuring tape or ruler (optional)
• Helper (optional but nice to have)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Cut the Ribbon

You’re going to use the tails of the first bow to tie a second one, so you need a longer ribbon—ideally, each tail is about six inches longer. So cut a length of ribbon three or four times as long as the longest side of the box plus about 12 inches. You may want to call in a helper: An extra set of hands is helpful to pull the bow’s loops taut but definitely not required.

Step Two: Form the Base

Tie a simple bow, then position it horizontally and determine which tail exits the knot on the top and which exits underneath. Make a loop in each tail. Cross the top loop over bottom one.

Step Three: Tie the Second Bow

Knot by threading the top loop behind the bottom one, under, and up through the hole, making sure the ribbon isn’t twisted or bunched. Pull the loops to tighten; make sure the knot of second bow overlaps the first. Trim the tails, and arrange the loops.

How to Tie a Bow on Your Fingers

We love this simple TikTok hack for tying the perfect tiny bow without having to wrap it around the package or box first.