On average, kitchen cabinet doors are 24 to 30 inches tall, and ribbon is usually sold by the yard. Therefore, you should plan to use about 1 yard of ribbon, vertically, for every standard-height cabinet you have, and perhaps another yard horizontally for every two cabinets. Of course, when you set about actually hanging your ribbons, you’ll want to get exact measurements and pre-cut your segments to ensure consistency across your display, but when shopping for ribbon, it will suffice if you simply have a ballpark idea of how much your cabinets will require. Note that if you are adding handmade bows to your cabinet decoration, you’ll need significantly more, however, and a wired variety for shaping. Alternatively, you can buy pre-made bows in a matching or complimentary ribbon instead.
Once you’ve purchased your ribbon, cut strips for vertical and horizontal placement — cutting about 4 to 5 inches longer than the exterior of the door to account for attachment to the inside. Using painter’s tape, secure each ribbon’s ends to the inside of the doors so they are taut and won’t buckle or get caught on anything. Locate the center of the cross on the door and secure a bow to the intersection with florist wire ($3 at Joann’s). For added whimsy, go diagonally or place the cross off-center! Happy Holidays!
