Our DIY Snow Globe Will Complete Your Holiday Décor

Create a wintry scene inside your home with this easy DIY project.

DIY jar snow globes

Why dream of a white Christmas when you can make a pint-sized one at home? A snow globe is the perfect form of holiday décor, and will look beautiful on a mantel, windowsill, and more. A DIY version makes for a great gift too.

Luckily, the materials for a snow globe are easy enough to source. You can use almost any jar, though a wide-mouth version is better. Glycerin can be found at a pharmacy, and epoxy and glitter are available at any craft store.

What's most important in your snow globe creation, though, is what's inside. You can make a tiny snowman by rolling balls of polymer together, and attaching any tiny details with glue, like a carrot nose, scarf, or hat. If that's not your style, toy figures of Santa or reindeer also make for a beautiful wintry display. Follow these simple steps and you'll be letting it snow in no time!

This craft calls for a little painting. Be sure to prep your space to avoid spills. In the event you need to remove a stain, be sure to have some mineral spirits an acetone on hand!

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Synthetic evergreen tips
  • Oil-based enamel paint (optional)
  • Sandpaper
  • Glitter
  • Glycerin
  • Plastic or ceramic figurines
  • Glass jar
  • Clear-drying epoxy

Instructions

  1. Paint the Jar Lids:

    snow globe materials

    If the jar lids are not in seasonal colors already, paint them with oil-based enamel paint.

  2. Sand the Lid and Add Figurines:

    Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough. With clear-drying epoxy, adhere the figurines to the inside of the lid, and let the epoxy dry.

  3. Fill the Jar With Distilled Water and Glitter:

    Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water; add a pinch of glitter and a dash of glycerin to keep the glitter from falling too quickly. Don't add too much, or the glitter will stick to the bottom of the jar when it's flipped.

  4. Screw on the Lid:

    Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. Turn the jar over and back again—and let it snow.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998/1999

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