Across British homes and venues, a single accessory is doing the heavy lifting for holiday décor. Discount chain Action has put a bold, oversized chair bow on its shelves at €3.99 a piece (about £3.45). Stylists, caterers and thrifty hosts are loading baskets fast, because a set of six or eight transforms a dining room in minutes without rewriting the entire scheme.
The €3.99 bow turning chairs into seasonal showpieces
The accessory is straightforward: an oversized decorative bow designed to wrap around the back of a chair. It measures 50 x 38 cm, fills the eye, and gives a clean, tailored finish in photographs. Two colours headline the range, classic red and warm gold, both cut from easy-care polyester that resists creasing once tightened.
£3.45 (€3.99) per bow, 50 x 38 cm, red or gold, wipe-clean polyester, tool-free attachment.
You get impact without clutter. Tie one on every chair and you set a rhythm around the table that anchors candles, crockery and greenery. The bow suits IKEA-style dining sets, farmhouse spindle-back chairs, metal café chairs and padded hotel banqueting seats. It hides scuffs on rear panels and draws the eye to the place setting.
Red or gold: how to match the colour to your room
Red brings warmth and cheer. It sits well with white plates, wood tones and natural foliage. Gold adds glow and lift in low light. It pairs neatly with glass, brass and soft neutrals. Mixed on alternate seats, the two colours create a lively cadence for family gatherings. In a small room, a single colour feels calmer and makes the table look longer.
| Colour | Mood delivered | Best paired with | Lighting tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Cosy, traditional, energetic | White crockery, pine branches, check napkins | Warm-white LEDs to avoid harsh contrasts |
| Gold | Elegant, luminous, refined | Glass chargers, brass cutlery, eucalyptus | Dimmed lamps and reflective tealight holders |
Fit in minutes, look considered
No tools, no staples. Slide the tie section around the backrest, centre the knot, and pull until the fabric looks crisp. Align each bow at the same height, then trim the tails visually so they fall evenly across the row.
- Measure one reference chair and copy that position across the set.
- Tuck tails behind if chairs sit close to radiators or open flames.
- Photograph the first two chairs side by side to check height and symmetry before finishing the rest.
Why shoppers and stylists are buying in multiples
Price drives scale. At €3.99 a piece, most hosts can cover a table of six for well under €25. That small spend generates a cohesive look that usually needs much pricier textiles to achieve. Event planners see a quick win for photos and client satisfaction, especially when tables vary from venue to venue.
A uniform row of bows gives instant “finished” energy, even when plates, chairs or glassware don’t match.
The material wipes clean and holds its shape. It survives children’s hands, moving chairs and back-and-forth between rooms. You can rework the same set for New Year’s Eve, a charity lunch, or a winter wedding by swapping runners and napkins.
How many do you actually need?
Count seats, add two spares for last-minute guests or damaged pieces, and consider the sideboard or head chair as a focal point. The sums are straightforward:
| Seats | Total cost (€) | Total cost (£) | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | €23.94 | £20.70 | Buy 8 if you want two for a console or bar stools |
| 8 | €31.92 | £27.60 | Alternate red and gold for pace on long tables |
| 12 | €47.88 | £41.40 | Add neutral runners to balance the colour block |
Currency equivalents use a simple €1 = £0.86 guide and may vary by day and location.
Beyond the chair: where the bow works hard
Versatility stretches the value. Hosts are repurposing the bow across the room to tie the scheme together without buying a new bundle of decorations.
- Spiral around a stair banister and anchor with clear adhesive hooks.
- Wrap a large vase or drinks tub to echo the table colour.
- Dress a front-door wreath with a matching knot to create a sense of arrival.
- Fasten to the end of a bed or a blanket ladder for guest-room charm.
Where to get it and when to go
The bow is stocked in Action stores only. It sits in the seasonal décor aisle and lands from late October. Quantities ebb and flow as weekend crowds pass through. Early weekday visits give the best shot at finding a full colour run, especially if you need eight or more in one tone.
In-store only at Action; seasonal stock rotates quickly from late October, with weekend sell-through common.
Store teams often wheel out fresh pallets before Saturdays. If a branch looks thin on Friday, a quick stop on Saturday morning can pay off. Keep packaging intact until the night of your event so returns stay straightforward if you overbuy.
Practicalities: care, safety and storage
Polyester tolerates spot cleaning. Dab spills with a damp cloth, then pat dry to avoid water marks. Steam lightly from a safe distance if folds appear after storage. Avoid ironing direct on high heat.
Keep tails away from tealights and open flames. Battery LED strings pair better with fabric accessories than real candles. If young children will tug at bows, double-knot and tuck excess fabric behind the chair back to reduce dangling lengths.
After the season, fold each bow along the same lines and stack them flat in a zip bag. Add a silica sachet in damp homes. Label colour and quantity on the bag so next year’s planning takes seconds.
Stretch a small spend with smart pairings
A tight budget still buys theatre when you layer texture and light. Aim for three accents that repeat: the bow colour, a metallic, and a natural element. That trio keeps the eye moving and avoids clutter.
- Warm-white micro lights along the centre of the table for depth without glare.
- Clustered tealight holders that echo the gold version’s sheen.
- Sprigs of pine, rosemary or eucalyptus to bring scent and structure.
- Linen or jute placemats for contrast against shiny surfaces.
DIY tweaks if stock runs low
Missed the rush? Two metres of 6–8 cm ribbon can mimic the look on slimmer chair backs. A wired edge helps you set a sharper silhouette. Tie a half bow and hide the knot with a small ornament to add dimension. Keep the scale consistent with your table width so the setting reads balanced.
Where this goes after Christmas
Reuse turns a €3.99 buy into a season-spanning tool. Gold bows move neatly into New Year’s Eve with black napkins and clear glass. Red bows support Valentine’s tables, spring charity raffles, and birthday brunches when paired with white or gingham. The cost per use drops fast if you plan two or three dates across the year.
