When Selena Gomez shared a glimpse of a cozy, greenery-draped dinner with now-husband Benny Blanco, the setting instantly caught our attention. It perfectly embodied the idea that creating a warm, nature-infused holiday atmosphere doesn’t require a huge space or over-the-top decorations – just thoughtful touches and a bit of natural holiday decor.
In an Instagram Story (via People), Gomez and Blanco were seen embracing beneath a simple pergola layered with hanging greenery and soft lighting. The look was inviting, festive, and achievable – ideal inspiration not just for the holidays, but for any special gathering.
With a few structural elements, trailing evergreen vines, and some subtle seasonal accents, you can recreate a similar intimate trellis in your garden. Love the style but not sure where to start? Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your own festive outdoor feature inspired by Selena’s serene holiday moment.
1. Choose (or Build) the Right Structure
The foundation of any pergola or garden trellis is, of course, a solid overhead frame that you can use for a hanging greenery canopy. The structure should be solid enough that it can hold and support climbing plants, trailing vines, and, for Christmas, some string lights. Basically, it’s the “skeleton” that holds everything in place, allowing the greenery and light to shape your space.
If you live in an area that gets quite a bit of sun, this Hupicker Cedar Wood Pergola from Walmart is a basic structure, but it comes with an adjustable roof. You can also try the Backyard Discovery Cedar Wood Outdoor Patio Pergola Swing if you prefer a place to sit.
If you’re working with a smaller space, a wall or fence-mounted trellis panel can give you a similar look. Try the Vita Classic White Vinyl Fence Garden Trellis from Lowe’s.
2. Dress It with Vines or Hanging Greenery
Now it’s time to add your greenery. To recreate that soft, cocooning canopy seen in Selena Gomez’s photo, opt for plants that climb or drape naturally.
- English ivy or Boston ivy offer just the right aesthetic, but can be invasive in the soil, so keep them contained in pots or hanging planters.
- Climbing hydrangea is a beautifully textured, slow-to-moderate grower with large leaves and a graceful, draping habit once established. Ideal for a soft, romantic overhead canopy.
- Star jasmine is an evergreen climber with glossy leaves and a gentle trailing effect. It offers year-round structure and subtle fragrance in warmer months.
- Trumpet honeysuckle is a non-invasive honeysuckle species that provides long, looping stems and vibrant foliage.
- Clematis virginiana is known for lightweight, airy, viney growth that easily weaves through pergola beams without becoming dominant.
- Trailing ferns or hanging pots with "spiller plants": Boston ferns, maidenhair ferns, or cascading plants add soft drape from above and help fill the canopy.
Once these climbers and cascading plants begin to take shape, you’ll capture that bountiful, natural atmosphere.
3. Soft Lighting for That Golden-Hour Glow
One of the things that makes Selena’s photo feel so intimate and warm (besides Benny Blanco wrapping his arms around her) is the soft, flattering light. As the day fades into night, having string lights through the vines will add some holiday magic to your pergola.
Go for warm white LED lights draped loosely through the vines, allowing the plants to cast natural shadows. Lighting rooted in the greens gives the space depth and enchantment, which is ideal for cozy family Christmas dinners, holiday parties, and relaxed evenings.
These JMEXSUSS LED Warm White Christmas Lights from Amazon are perfect as they are a beautiful color and come with a handy wheel, keeping them from getting tangled. If you’re more into lanterns, these ArchiHome Hanging Lanterns from Walmart are just right, and they come with a hook.
4. Layer in Greenery & Seasonal Touches
You don’t have to stick to only overhead vines. Ground-level plants and potted evergreens around the base of the pergola give some fullness to the space and add visual balance.
- Small potted evergreens
- Seasonal planters with winter-appropriate plants like heather, cyclamen, and winter jasmine
- A layer of mulch or decorative stone to ground the space
Combining hanging ivy or other evergreens with layered plants at the base will turn your space into a secluded, inviting corner of your garden, making it a hidden spot for cold-weather comfort.
5. Maintain for Lasting Beauty
Once you have your Selena Gomez-inspired pergola, your work is not done! You have to do a few things to maintain the lush, lived-in look:
- Water vines and hanging plants regularly, especially if the cold tends to dry them out
- Always prune by gently guiding your vines along beams or your trellis with soft ties
- Check your structure every so often to make sure it’s properly supporting your plants and decorations safely. Nobody wants to be at a holiday party, enjoying a drink, when a trellis suddenly comes crashing down on them
Selena Gomez’s holiday trellis photo shows how a minimal structure with some natural greens and soft lighting can create a warm, cozy Christmas sanctuary right in your own garden.
