The Secret To Making An Easy Magnolia Wreath With Fresh Leaves

Do you love having a fresh magnolia wreath for Winter Decorating? Today’s wreath with magnolia leaves is easy to make, takes only an hour, and is almost free. You don’t need to buy floral wire or tape for this easy craft.

This wreath can be made quickly with fresh leaves and hot glue. If you have an old wreath to use, it’s almost free. Can you believe this wreath only takes one hour to make? In addition, your magnolia wreath will look good for weeks and maybe even months. See how well one of mine held up for 10 months.

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The Secret of How To Make A Magnolia Wreath?

The easiest way to make a magnolia wreath is to add individual leaves with hot glue to a grapevine wreath. Plus, the condition of the grapevine wreath doesn’t matter. You can use an old one.

The best part is that once the leaves are spent, you can easily remove them from the grapevine wreath and reuse them for your next project.

You can begin by gathering a good supply of fresh leaves. If your tree is tall, you’ll need lopper tree trimmers to reach the branches.

To Preserve Or Not To Preserve

In the past, I’ve always preserved my leaves to prolong the glossy finish of my Magnolia wreath. However, I was running short on time, so I didn’t preserve the leaves on my latest wreath, which I still displayed 11 months later. Yes, the leaves had curled but had taken on a silvery hue perfect for fall decorating.

However, I want to share the easiest way to preserve the leaves. Whether your wreath will last as long as mine is debatable; several factors can make the leaves look fresh longer.

• When you cut the leaves, I find that leaves removed from the tree in winter will last longer than in warm weather.
• Wherever you display your wreath, the heat inside your home will dry it quickly. Avoid sunlight and heat ducts.
• Displaying your wreath outside may last longer, but avoid placing it in windy areas.

UPDATE:

I didn’t preserve the leaves on this wreath, and 11 months later, I’m still displaying it. It has dried to a beautiful silvery sage green and still looks perfect in the farmhouse.

How To Make A Magnolia Wreath For Christmas

To begin your wreath, gather your supplies.

• Old or New Grapevine Wreath in desired size
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
• Magnolia Leaves (either preserved or fresh)
• Wax Paper to protect your table
• Finger Protectors – Hot Glue Finger Caps

I’m a waste-not kind of girl, so I always save my old wreaths. Thrift stores are a great place to pick up an ugly wreath to recycle. Check out these other thrift store shopping tips.

Assemble The Wreath with Magnolia Leaves

Begin by adding hot glue to the stem of a magnolia leaf. Use the largest leaves on the first and second rows if possible.

I recommend using hot glue finger protection for this project.

Beginning on the outside edge of the wreath, push the stem into the grapevine wreath to secure it. Find an area where the vine is loose and fit the stem between the vine.

You’ll notice I switched the wreath just as I began. Both wreaths have been used before, but the first one was too loose to hold the magnolia leaves properly.

Angle the leaves along the side of the grapevine and overlap each leaf as you go.

You can see the hot glue still attached to my last project; however, it will be covered entirely once it is complete.

You can see how the leaves should angle and overlap in the image below.

Continue around the outside edge until the circle is complete.

Once you have completed the first row, you should repeat the same process on the second row.

Add a Second Row of Leaves

Add the leaves to the top of the grapevine wreath to begin the second row, ensuring you overlap the first row.

The image below illustrates what the two rows should look like. As you can see, it takes several leaves to complete the magnolia wreath.

Third Row

Next, you will repeat the process by adding a third row of leaves. At this point, the grapevine is almost covered.

How To Finish The Grapevine Wreath

Finally, you will add some smaller leaves for the fourth row. You only need to add leaves where the grapevine is exposed or where gaps may be visible in the first three rows.

The final step is to add a few leaves with the brown side of the leaf exposed. I only added a few reverse leaves. However, you can add as many as you desire. Examine your wreath for any gaps or loose leaves before hanging.

Finished Wreath With Magnolia Leaves

I love the rich colors of a magnolia leaf wreath for Christmas.

The combination of fresh greenery and the rust-colored backside of the leaves works wonderfully with the neutral colors I used on the eco-friendly tree this year.

If you like fresh greenery, check out How to Use Greenery for Christmas and these boxwood topiaries.

I used the Magnolia Wreath on a vintage ladder beside my desk.

Larger Magnolia Wreath

I made an even larger Magnolia wreath for our open loft banister this year. I initially only added the green-sided leaves to the wreath.

However, at the last minute, I added the brown sides, and I feel it shows up better.

I added one of my DIY Gold Metal Bows to the center of the wreaths for a bit of sparkle and shine.

How To Preserve Magnolia Leaves? (optional)

If you plan to preserve the leaves, you will want to begin your project at least one day in advance.

• Paint each magnolia leaf, front and back, with Mod Podge.
• Place on a flat surface to dry
• After a couple of hours, cover the front and back with a second coat of Mod Podge.
• Allow to dry overnight

You can begin assembly of your wreath with magnolia leaves the next day.

I did not preserve my last wreath and displayed it for 11 months inside the farmhouse. By November, it had curled and faded, but I still love the rustic look for fall.

Additional Wreath & Greenery Tutorials

• Easy Rustic Wreath with Deer Antlers, Magnolia Leaves, and Pinecones
• Rustic Chic Greenery and Feather Centerpiece
• Fall Magnolia Wreath
• Secret To Making A Fresh Cedar Garland
• Real Cedar Topiaries
• Fresh Boxwood DIY Topiaries
• Herb and Dried Fruit Garland
• Amazing DIY Christmas Greenery Tree Tutorial

Resources

Click the image below for craft supplies that I use for holiday decorating.

I hope you can see how easy it is to make this DIY Magnolia Wreath, and will give it a try before the holiday season is over.

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