Crafting Holiday Decorations with Magnolia Seed Pods
Turn fallen magnolia seed pods into handmade Christmas ornaments. Collect pods from beneath a tree or buy dried ones in bulk from craft suppliers, then embellish them with paint, glitter, and ribbon to create decorations suitable for hanging on a tree, wreath, or garland.
By Jordan Lewis
Magnolia fruit on the green leaves background. Magnolia velvet seed pod on tree.
Resembling fuzzy pine cones studded with bright red seeds, magnolia seed pods release those seeds once they dry out. This makes them well suited to ornament-making; even without decoration, they can be displayed around the house or nestled among Christmas tree branches as natural magnolia ornaments.
Holiday craft projects using magnolia seed pods are enjoyable and simple for people of any age. A set of magnolia Christmas ornaments can be hung from a tree, attached to a garland or wreath, incorporated into a centerpiece, or arranged around candles inside a glass vase.
Getting Magnolia Seed Pods Ready for Crafting
Once dry, magnolia seed pods are ready to be turned into magnolia ornaments. For those who collect pods that have dropped at the base of a magnolia tree, spread them on old towels or paper and leave them in a warm, dry location for several days.
If any red seeds are still inside, shake them out, then use an old paint brush to clear away dirt or debris. Dried magnolia seeds can also be bought in bulk from arts and crafts vendors.
Simple Paint and Glitter Ornaments
Magnolia seed pod crafts can be as easy as applying a little paint or glitter to the pods and tying ribbon or yarn around the stem for hanging. For this project, select magnolia seeds that still have at least 2 inches of stem attached. Using acrylic paint, either brush it on carefully, perhaps following a pattern based on the pod's natural segments, or drizzle it over the pod with a craft stick or plastic spoon. To add glitter, spread white glue on the surface, sprinkle glitter over the magnolia ornaments, and tap off what remains. Glitter-glue or glitter paint can also be used to create sparkle.
Finish the magnolia Christmas ornaments by wrapping ribbon or yarn around the stems. Make this step part of the festive look as well as a practical way to hang the ornaments by choosing sparkly or glittery ribbon, or yarn in colors that coordinate with the paint. A red and green theme is one possibility, or metallic gold or silver paint, glitter, and ribbon can be used. Tie the ribbon in a large bow at the base of the stem, or use yarn and wrap it repeatedly around the entire stem for an attractive finish.
Magnolia Angel Ornaments
Hold a magnolia seed pod by its stem and picture the rounded portion as an angel's dress. Paint the entire seed pod gold, silver, or white, and optionally add glitter. Hot-glue a round wooden bead at the base of the stem to serve as the angel's face, then draw eyes and a smile with a permanent marker.
Tie a matching wide ribbon into a bow and hot-glue it to the back of the pod so the bow's loops look like wings. Shape a matching pipe cleaner into a halo and wrap it around the stem so it sits above the angel's head. Add more ribbon to hang the magnolia Christmas ornament on the tree.
Miniature Magnolia Christmas Trees
When stood upright on its stem, a magnolia seed pod can look like a small Christmas tree. Take a tiny terracotta plant pot and put a piece of floral foam in the base. Push the stem of the magnolia pod into the foam so the "tree" remains upright.
Decorate the seed pod with paint, glitter, and tiny Christmas tree ornaments fixed inside the crevices with hot glue. Faux snow from a spray can is another option. Small colorful beads can stand in for baubles, along with tiny metallic star-shaped stickers. Glue some tinsel around the base of the stem to conceal the floral foam.
