Tie a perfect bow

Lay the ribbon flat and place the parcel in the centre of the span. Bring both tails up and wrap the left tail over the right, then fold it under and up.

Hold your left hand flat with the palm facing up. Drape the left tail of the ribbon over your last three fingers, then pull it over your index finger so it rests near the tip, and lay the tail across your palm, holding it firmly in place with your thumb. Pull tight.

With your right hand, take the right ribbon tail and pull it behind your left hand. Wrap it up and over your left index finger, so the ribbon sits left of the first loop. Tuck the tail between your left middle and ring fingers. Keeping hold of the ribbon tucked between the fingers of your left hand, take hold of the first loop you made with your right hand.

While firmly holding the first loop in your right hand and the ribbon pinched between the middle and ring fingers of your left hand, pull both hands apart at the same time, drawing the left loop through the right and tying the bow in place. You should have a neat, flat, central knot with two symmetrical loops and tails. As the bow is tied without knotting the ribbon first, you can easily undo it by pulling one tail free. Trim the ends to desired length.