While decorating for the holidays is one of my favorite pastimes, there is a fine line between traditional and tacky, and cost can be a really issue. Yes, there’s beautiful gold candle holders and decorative pine-cones, but those always seem to cost more than a paint-dipped decoration should. There’s not much to love about plastic Santa Claus figurines either.
Here is a classy holiday decorating option that won’t break the bank: The snow globe.
Supplies: (all of these can be purchased at Target)
– Box of 8 OZ Ball brand Quilted Crystal Jelly Jars (even cheaper, can use jars from around the house)
– Box of Wow! glitter by American Craft (can replace with any generic gold or silver glitter)
– Scotch washi tape (I got one snowflake-like pattern and one candy cane. There is a huge variety of colors and patterns so you can pick your own and customize it for whatever winter holiday you celebrate.)
– Gold painted pinecone vase filler by Threshold (can use regular pinecones from outside if wanted)
– Hot glue gun and sticks
– Water (I’m pretty sure you’ve got this one)
Directions:
1. First, take one jelly jar out of the box, and remove the lid. Get your glue out and one pinecone. Turn the lid upside down on a counter, so that the open side is facing upwards.
2. Put a generous amount of wood glue or hot glue atop the inside of the lid, in the middle. Now place the bottom of the pinecone on top of the glue, and hold for about a minute to make sure it sticks.
3. Once the glue had hardened a little, you can pickup the pinecone, and it will separate the two parts of the jelly jar lid. Place the part glued to the pinecone back on the counter to continue drying.
4. Get out the washi tape. Now take that outer part of the lid, and slowly, go around the side of the lid with the tape, covering it. (It should only take one piece) Now you can put the two lid parts together and aside.
5. While the glue is drying, get out the jelly jar and glitter. Pour some glitter into the bottom and fill up to the top of the jar with water.
6. As the lid to the jar is still drying, take a lid from one of the other jars to borrow. Once the lid is secured, shake the jar so that the glitter disperses throughout. Let this sit, and let the drying pinecone lid dry overnight.
7. After the lid is dry, remove the lid from the jelly jar and place aside. Place the pinecone lid atop the jelly jar and secure. Turn it tightly to make sure no water can leak out. Turn it upside down so that the washi tape is on the bottom, and the pinecone is facing upwards.
8. Congratulations, you’ve made your very own festive snow globe. Shake it up and watch the glitter!
These are great for table décor for Christmas dinner or as a desk top holiday reminder. They also make great gifts and once you get the hang of it, you can make them for all the loved ones on your list. Enjoy!
