Deck the Halls DIY: Styling an Artificial Magnolia Wreath

MAKE A FAUX MAGNOLIA WREATH YOUR OWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

There’s something extra special about holiday decorating when you’ve made a piece your very own. It’s not just about hanging something pretty or festive on your door or wall, it’s about adding your personality, your color palette, your own story! Starting with a pre-made artificial magnolia (or other artificial greenery) wreath gives you the perfect foundation: full, rich greenery with that classic botanical charm, ready to be dressed up for the season in whatever style feels like you.

Think of a greenery wreath as a blank canvas for your creativity. With just a few simple additions, think stems of holly, clusters of faux berries, blossoming magnolia blooms, and/or a beautifully tied ribbon, you can completely turn an everyday magnolia wreath into a custom holiday showpiece. This easy DIY (or “how-to”) is all about taking what you already love and adding in your own touch, one floral stem, berry, or cheerful bow at a time.

Whether your style leans timeless and traditional with red poinsettias and gold ribbon, or more natural and wintery with cedar, eucalyptus, and snowberries, this fun (and simple!) how-to lets you experiment, mix textures, and play with seasonal color in a way that feels almost effortless. Most faux botanicals can simply be clipped down and tucked right into the wreath’s grapevine base, which means no tools or fancy skills required! Just creativity and a little festive holiday spirit.

By the end of this DIY, you’ll have an artificial botanical piece that’s as unique as your holiday style. Something that looks handcrafted, feels special, and adds that cozy, “made with love” touch to your home or event decor.

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED

Before you start creating, take a few minutes to gather your materials. The beauty of this project is that it’s simple, virtually mess-free, and completely customizable. You can make your holiday wreath minimal and classic or layer in texture and pops of color for a bolder, festive statement.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS:

Pre-made magnolia wreath. A faux wreath with grapevine base works best! Grapevine wreaths are sturdy, flexible, and perfect for tucking in stems.
A mix of faux botanicals such as:

Red holly stems or artificial berries for a classic holiday pop.
Faux magnolia blossoms to echo your magnolia greenery wreath base and add floral fullness.
Fake cedar greenery or pine sprigs for a natural, wintry touch.
Classic red or white poinsettias for that timeless Christmas charm.
Accent pieces like blackberries, cream snowberries, or custom frosted eucalyptus for subtle texture and contrast.

Scissors and/or wire cutters for trimming stems and/or ribbon to size.
Optional: Floral wire or twist tie wire to secure loose add-in botanical stems.
Optional: Ribbon in your favorite color or pattern! Think rich velvet, buffalo plaid, or shimmery metallic for extra holiday flair.
Optional: Hot glue gun for added hold (just keep in mind using hot glue or any adhesive will make your holiday additions permanent).

Tip: When choosing your faux florals, look for a mix of shapes and sizes. Imagine something leafy, something with texture, and something with a little color. This combination creates a more natural, organic look.

Before you begin, clear a workspace with good lighting and lay down a towel, cardboard, plastic sheeting, or a craft mat to protect your surface. Once everything’s within reach, you’re ready to start bringing your holiday magnolia wreath to life!

HOW-TO INSTRUCTIONS

Now for the fun part! Making your magnolia wreath base your own. Below are four easy ways to customize your faux wreath for the holidays, each with its own look and personality. You can follow one style completely or mix and match ideas to create something that is uniquely yours.

Most artificial botanicals can simply be clipped down and inserted directly into the grapevine base. For a little extra hold, twist the stems around existing branches or use floral wire or twist ties. Hot glue is an alternate option, but please keep in mind this is a permanent one.

CLASSIC HOLIDAY REDS

You can never go wrong with a timeless red and green holiday color palette. Start by adding red holly stems or fake berry clusters throughout your magnolia wreath. Place smaller groupings near the magnolia leaves for a natural look, letting the berries peek through rather than dominate the richly colored leaves.

Tip: Keep your design balanced by spacing your red accents evenly from end to end. For added depth, mix in a few darker berries or even a stem or 2 of faux pine. This will help any color pop against the magnolia’s glossy green leaves.

This look is perfect for traditional holiday decor: placed over a mantel, or hung on a front door in a style that says “classic Christmas.”

MAGNOLIA BLOOMS AND WARM NEUTRALS

If you love a softer, more elegant holiday style, this look is for you. Add faux magnolia blossoms throughout your garland, blending them with warm neutrals—think cream, champagne, ivory, or gold accents.

Layer in a few subtle touches of texture, such as dried-look florals or muted gold berries, to give it dimension. This design feels both refined and inviting, making it a beautiful choice for modern, transitional, or neutral spaces.

Optional Touch: A slim gold or linen ribbon can tie everything together without overpowering the arrangement.

ARTIFICIAL CEDAR AND BERRY ACCENTS

For a cozy, nature-inspired look, weave in faux cedar sprigs to add a soft, evergreen feel. Then, accent with blackberries or snowberries—they bring in contrast, texture, and that perfect woodland charm.

This combination gives your magnolia garland a layered, organic appearance, as if it were gathered from a winter forest. It’s a lovely option for rustic, farmhouse, or natural holiday themes, especially when paired with wood tones, twinkle lights, and candles.

Tip: Use stems of different lengths and directions—some tucked in, some extending outward—to create movement and a more lifelike flow.

TRADITIONAL POINSETTIAS AND A BOW

If you’re all about classic holiday charm, this one’s for you. Add red or white poinsettias for a bright, festive pop. Their bold petals bring instant Christmas cheer and look beautiful against the dark magnolia leaves.

Finish with a statement bow. Wired or wire-edge ribbon works best because it holds its shape and adds fullness. Choose a ribbon that matches your color palette (red velvet, plaid, or metallic gold are all stunning options).

Secure the bow to the grapevine wreath with floral wire or twist ties, fluff it for volume, and let the tails drape naturally (and as long as you would like) for that perfect finishing touch.

TIPS FOR A FLAWLESS FINISH

Once you’ve chosen your favorite style (or mixed a few together!), it’s time to bring your garland or wreath to life. These simple techniques will help you create a professional, polished look while keeping the process easy and enjoyable.

Here’s how to put it all together:

Clip and insert: Most faux botanicals can be trimmed down and inserted directly into the grapevine base, no glue required! The flexible, wired branches will naturally grip and hold your stems in place.
Secure as needed: For heavier stems or ribbon ends, use floral wire or twist ties to gently fasten them to the base. This keeps everything secure while still allowing for easy adjustments later on.
Vary directions: To create a more natural look, insert stems at slightly different angles. Let some follow the curve of the garland while others extend outward for a layered, organic shape.
Step back and adjust: Every few minutes, take a step back and look at your work from a distance. Check for even spacing, balanced color, and natural movement, this little habit makes all the difference.
Add your final details: Once everything feels just right, fluff your ribbon, bend a few stems for flow, and tuck in any small accents like berries or leaves for that perfect finishing touch.

These small steps help your garland feel lush and intentionally styled, like something you’d find in a boutique, only made by you.

ALTERNATE FAUX BOTANICAL IDEAS

One of the best parts about working with artificial florals is how easy it is to make them your own. Once you’ve created your base design, try swapping in a few alternate botanicals to change up the mood or match your decor. A few small additions can completely transform the overall look and carry your wreath or garland from one season to the next.

For a fresh twist, try:

Artificial eucalyptus: Perfect for a modern, minimalist style. The muted green tones blend beautifully with magnolia leaves and give a clean, sophisticated look.
Frosted or iced pine cones:Add instant winter charm and that “fresh snowfall” feeling, ideal for a woodland-inspired design.
Fake snowberries or blackberries: These add soft texture and subtle color variation, giving your garland a realistic, layered feel.
Soft gold accents: Think tiny ornaments, metallic leaves, or gilded berries. A touch of gold adds warmth and sparkle without overpowering the natural greenery itself.

And here’s where you can really have fun, customizing and playing your own accents! Try lightly misting pine cones or berry stems with glitter spray paint for a subtle shimmer, or use flocking spray to add that soft, snow-kissed finish to greenery. You can even refresh older faux florals with a dusting of metallic paint or a hint of frost to tie everything together and make it seasonal.

Style Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Play with color palettes that reflect your home’s personality: that’s deep jewel tones, soft neutrals, or classic holiday reds and greens. Mixing textures and tones is what makes your piece truly unique.

By blending a few of these alternate botanicals (and adding your own creative touches) you can refresh your magnolia garland year after year, keeping it both classic and personal.

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Once you’ve added your final touches, it’s time to admire your work! Hang your faux magnolia wreath where it can shine! Hang it over a mantel, on your front door, or over an entry table to welcome guests with a little holiday cheer.

Remember, there’s no wrong way to make it your own. Maybe you’ve gone classic with red poinsettias, rustic with cedar and berries, or modern and bold with gold accents and eucalyptus. Either way (any way!) your creation reflects your style, and that’s what makes it special.

The same technique works beautifully beyond artificial greenery wreaths, too. Try these tips with faux garlands, door swags, tabletop centerpieces, or mantle arrangements for a holiday look that feels custom and cohesive throughout your home.

When you’re done, step back, take in that festive glow, and enjoy the cozy satisfaction of something you made yourself. We’d love to see your finished design, share your look or tag us on social media so we can celebrate your creativity!