01/10/2026
I have been interested in wishing trees/wishing ribbons for many years.
I just watched a NZ cooking show episode where the dinner hosts gave each guest a pen. The pen had lots of colourful ribbons on and they were encouraged to write a wish on each ribbon and tie it on to the centrepiece (a gold metal tree with fairy lights). It was really lovely.
During training as a celebrant, my favourite wedding ritual idea was to have a rose bush in a tub that guests could tie on ribbons (messages of love written on). As a guest, almost every wedding I've attended for the last 40 years, I've always gifted the bride a keepsake ribbon ornament to drape over her wrist (and a message written on the ribbon).
It's equally a lovely idea to have a wishing tree/wishing ribbons for kid's parties, milestone birthdays, memorials...and about to become my new Christmas tradition.
Use on: Existing trees (taking care not to damage tree) New trees - gifts A tub of individual sticks/branches Metal tree centrepieces Attaching to a length of string/rope and making bunting
And it's not limited to ribbons...many churches have wishing trees/branches to tie on messages of love/healing prayers...hanging tags.
These are some of my notes below that I kept in my event files over the last four years.
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"Wishing Ribbons" are part of a cultural tradition or a themed event where guests write their hopes, dreams, or well-wishes on pieces of colored fabric and tie them to a dedicated structure, such as a wishing tree or a wishing well. Can use a modern metal indoor tree, a tub filled with branches, outdoor tree, a plant (like a rose bush) in a tub that's easy to transport.
A wishing tree setup with ribbons paired with a coordinated ribbon-wrapped pen presentation creates a beautiful, cohesive interactive station for events like weddings, festivals, or guest book alternative zones.
Structuring the display elegantly blends the ancient, rustic practice of the wishing tree with polished event decor.
🌟 1. The Wishing Tree Station Setup
To ensure a smooth guest experience, the tree itself acts as the main visual anchor, while the writing utensils should be prominently styled to match.
• The Tree Structure: Use natural manzanita branches, sand-blasted branches in a weighted glass vase, or a living potted tree. Ensure the branches have plenty of small nodes to secure ribbon ties easily.
• The Wishing Ribbons: Instead of paper tags, guests write their wishes directly onto pre-cut fabric ribbons (satin, cotton, or grosgrain). Cut strips to roughly 8–10 inches long with angled or dovetailed ends to prevent fraying.
• Color-Coding Meaning: For an engaging touch, you can separate the ribbons by color to represent different categories of blessings (e.g., Pink for Love, Gold/Yellow for Joy, Green for Prosperity, White for Peace).
🖋️ 2. Coordinated Presentation of the Ribbon Pens
Rather than leaving plain pens out on the table, wrap them to mirror the texture and aesthetic of the wishing tree branches.
How to Present the Pens:
• The Ribbon-Wrap Technique: Take fine-tip permanent gel pens or fine-point metallic markers (essential for writing clearly on fabric). Start at the top of the pen and tightly wrap 1/4-inch satin or grosgrain ribbon down the length of the barrel in a spiral pattern, securing both ends with a dab of hot glue or strong double-sided tape.
• The "Wishing Branch" Extension: To connect the pens directly to the tree's theme, glue a small silk leaf, a mini faux-twig, or long, thin trailing ribbon tails to the top cap of the pen. When placed in a holder, the pens look like a miniature thicket of branches.
Styling the Pen Display:
• The Container: Store the ribboned pens inside a matching vase, a rustic wooden block drilled with pen holes, or an elegant porcelain holder wrapped in a thick matching ribbon sash.
• Signage Integration: Place a framed sign next to the pen container detailing the instructions. For instance:
"Take a pen, choose a ribbon, write your blessing, and tie it to the tree to help our love grow."
Weddings
Milestone birthdays
Kids parties
Fairy parties
Christmas
Festivals
Memorials
Just for garden beauty
Other notes:
A tree draped in wishing ribbons is known as a clootie tree, rag bush, or wish tree, representing an ancient global tradition of tying fabric strips or ribbons to branches to offer prayers, healing requests, or personal hopes.
Origins and Traditions
• Celtic Roots: In Scotland, Ireland, and Cornwall, hawthorn or "fairy trees" near holy wells are traditionally decorated with cloth strips (clooties) for healing or blessings.
• Global Customs: Similar rituals exist worldwide, including red ribbons tied on wishing trees in Chinese culture for good luck, or paper and fabric strips used in Turkey, Japan, and various indigenous traditions
