These Stunning DIY Snow Globes Are Easier To Make Than You Think

Snow globes offer a magical glimpse into miniature, snowy worlds that enchant viewers of all ages.

While DIY kits are available, I think it’s more enjoyable and just as easy to create your own snow globe using ornaments or figurines you have on hand, along with upcycled glass jars. Furthermore, they make excellent handmade gifts for friends and family!

Whether showcasing a favorite holiday scene, a cherished memory, or a beloved character, snow globes serve as beautiful ornaments and sentimental mementos.

Tips for Choosing the Right Type of Jar and Figurines

You can certainly use glass jars from leftover jams, jellies, pickles, and more! I prefer jars without embossed designs or labels on the sides so they don’t obstruct the view of the figurines. When choosing figurines or ornaments, make sure they are made from materials that won’t rust or get moldy, as they will be submerged in water. For this reason, I tend to stick with glass or resin.

Likewise, you can purchase empty plastic snow globes if you want the characteristic round globe. For a truly special snow globe, you can also find glass snow globes with the traditional base.

Lid Up or Down?

Whether you place the lid at the top or bottom is a matter of personal preference. For me, it depends on the ornament and the jar—sometimes, one way works better than the other. I recommend doing a dry run and placing the object in the jar to see which orientation looks best. Generally, placing the lid on the bottom will allow more light to enter the snowy scene.

Optional Materials for Decoration

You can paint the lid to hide any branding or to match your home decor. Additionally, you can use ribbon or twine to embellish the tops (or bottoms) of the jars, adding a pop of color or texture. This is a great way to dress up the snow globes before giving them as gifts.

Materials Needed

• Clean glass jar with lid
• Figurines – here are 17 fantastic mini figurines for snow globes -including penguins, Santa, Christmas trees and more.
• Glycerin
• Distilled water (do not use tap water)
• Glitter
• Epoxy (E6000)
• Sandpaper

Attach Figurines

Scuff the bottom of the glass or underside of the lid (depending on which way you plan to place the object)  with sandpaper to create a rough surface that helps the glue adhere better. You’ll need an epoxy adhesive, such as E6000, which is waterproof and permanent once cured. It becomes tacky in about 2 minutes and sets in about 10 minutes, though full curing can take 24 to 72 hours. In my experience, the glue is fully cured within 24 hours.

Attach your objects to the lid or bottom of the jar and allow it to cure fully. Ideal Christmas figurines include Santa, Christmas trees, reindeer, penguins, snowmen. Here’s a great listing selling 17 different Christmas figurines for snow globes.

Fill the Snow Globe

Once the glue has cured, fill the jar with water, leaving about an inch of headspace. Only use distilled water. Distilled water is free of bacteria and less likely to become cloudy over time. Once you test out how your figurine will look, you can add more water if needed. 

Add the Glycerin

Add a drop or two of glycerin. The glycerin will slightly thicken the water, slowing the glitter’s flow down to the bottom and giving it a more natural, snowing effect. 

A couple of tips from our editor:

• Instead of using glycerine and distilled water, you could fill your snow globe with mineral oil. This clear oil will last ages without discoloring and has the perfect viscosity for swirling snow.
• Be sure to test your glitter for colorfastness before adding it to the jar. To prevent your glitter from floating and clumping at the top of the jar, “wash” the glitter with 91% isopropyl alcohol. Add the glitter to your jar, then add enough alcohol to thoroughly wet it, stirring it with a clean chopstick. Once all the glitter has been wetted with the alcohol, you can add distilled water or mineral oil, and it will swirl beautifully.

Add the Glitter and Figurine

Add your glitter to the jar. How much you use depends on how snowy you’d like your snow globe to appear. Place the lid onto the jar, ensure it’s tightly sealed, and shake it!

Maintenance and Care

To preserve the look of your snow globe, display it in a cool, shaded area. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the water inside the snow globe to evaporate or discolor, and the heat may also warp or weaken the seal. When storing your snow globe, keep it in a temperature-controlled environment. Extreme heat or cold can cause the water to expand or contract, leading to cracks or leaks.