Nacho Novo scored two early goals to take his tally to 17 for the season and although Scott McDonald pulled one back for the visitors at the start of the second half, further goals by Shota Arveladze and substitute Steven Thompson ensured that Rangers finished the year only a point behind Celtic in the title race.
The home team took an early lead when Novo latched on to Fernando Ricksen's pass and, even with his back to goal, the striker was able to flick his effort past a stunned Barry-John Corr in the Motherwell goal.
Gregory Vignal's pass nearly put Dado Prso through as Rangers sought to build on their lead. However, McDonald's chip from Steve Hammell's pass drifted just beyond the far post.
Prso did well to gather Marvin Andrews' long ball before setting off on a mazy run which ended with a free-kick at the edge of the Motherwell area. However, Vignal's shot flashed wide from Ricksen's quickly taken free-kick.
Novo added to Rangers' lead when he latched on to Arveladze's superb pass before curling his shot past the helpless Corr from the edge of the box.
Zurab Khizanishvili did well to hook clear a Hammell corner when Stefan Klos hesitated before Arveladze pulled his shot wide after Ricksen created the chance.
Referee Alan Freeland displeased many of the home fans with some of his decisions but when he booked Vignal for diving, he incurred the full wrath of the Ivox crowd.
McDonald did well to turn Alan Hutton in the box but his shot went narrowly over as Motherwell tried to reduce the leeway before half-time.
But it was the Gers who should have gone in three up at the interval but Novo somehow mis-hit his shot at the back post from only three yards.
At the start of the second half McDonald cut inside Dragan Mladenovic before curling a magnificent shot into the top corner to give the visitors some hope.
However, it was short lived as Rangers quickly restored their two-goal advantage.
Hutton pressurised Marc Fitzpatrick into giving away possession and from Novo's astute pass Arveladze swept his first-time shot home under Corr.
The Motherwell keeper then did well to keep out a Prso shot before he excelled himself by blocking Arveladze's volley at the back post.
Corr saved courageously at the feet of Ricksen as Rangers threatened to run riot, but it was not until the 86th minute that the match was finally over after Thompson turned at the edge of the box before curling a superb shot beyond the keeper.