Create Holidays

Let It Snow!

December 19, 2012

I can remember the first time my mother showed me the beauty found in a single snowflake. Although teeny tiny, each one is uniquely different. Ever since, I’ve kind of adored snow. Some may say, even to the extreme (so what if I prayed for snow a time or ten).

At the top of our stairs rested some empty apothecary jars. It seemed only fitting to make snow scenes. The first attempt did not include the lights. Still beautiful but not magical. But let me tell you, finding that extra strand of lights (ironically with white wire) at the bottom of our Christmas bin was like finding gold!

Snowy Christmas magic all. day. long!

Start to Finish Time – 10 minutes. Apothecary jars (old) – Home Goods and World Market. Snow, trees, and village pieces ($1.00 – $4.00) – Walmart, Mini Lights (100) – Target

  • Brittany December 19, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Love this! You nailed it again with the simple yet elegant ideas on the cheap.

    • Nel November 22, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      leuk

    • Pat Wheelwright October 27, 2014 at 10:29 pm

      They are simply beautiful but I was thinking instead of plug in lights may be some of those little solar lights. I thing it might work with enough light in the room to keep them charged.

    • Leah Prewitt August 10, 2016 at 2:26 am

      I used a cake stand (with glass cover) last year, using sea salt for snow. I bought some little trees. I thought I had little houses from “a pound of town” toys that I kept for my great-niece to play with when she visited, but I couldn’t find any, so I used enormous sheep! It was ridiculous and pretty at the same time-cute. In the year since, I have found a church and a railroad car from the original town, but good to know World Market has the real goods!

  • Leigh December 19, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    These are the cutest decorations ever!

  • Ashley December 19, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I love this! Such a great idea!

  • Angie December 19, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Simply beautiful!

  • Heather December 19, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    That is truly beautiful!

  • Lindsay December 19, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    simple enough but so effective! These are beautiful, thank you for sharing 😀

  • ariela December 19, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Presh!! I just found your blog via pinterest and heart everything!! Your are all kinds of cute! As a working mom who still wants to look stylish and current I’ve found SO many useful suggestions on your blog. Keep up the great work!!

  • Kristina December 19, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    Awww how cute, I love anything that has to do with apothecary jars.

    Kristina

    Kristina does the Internets

  • Megan Armeni December 19, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    So pretty:)

  • Debbie December 19, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    I’ve got to try this! I’ve got some battery operated lights that I think might work – thanks for sharing!

    • pat determan November 25, 2014 at 11:17 am

      I was thinking the same thing, some battery operated lights might work just fine too, not every display will be near an outlet.

  • Marla December 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    So pretty

  • Courtney December 20, 2012 at 12:04 am

    These are so pretty!! I will have to remember this for next year, love it!

    xo, Courtney
    shabbyloveschic

  • Lynn hovis December 20, 2012 at 1:40 am

    This is awesome! I love it! I haven’t been able to put up my village for 2 years now because of little hands grabbing- I’m definitely doing this instead! You rock my world! Have a Merry Christmas!

  • kylie December 20, 2012 at 3:07 am

    well these are just adorable!

  • Lilly December 20, 2012 at 4:45 am

    such a magical idea.. sheesh you always have the best little ideas…will u b doing a post about your house decorated for christmas?!Well u definately should:) we are hosting this year & would some decorating and family tradition tips! one more question dying to know what brand is your grey wrap sweater from xmas card post & the diy boot warmers sweater?! ok.ok Im done

  • Sue {munchkin munchies} December 20, 2012 at 7:53 am

    Oh, I could just lose myself in those cozy, warm and wintry scenes. Charming!

  • Sarah December 20, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Love it!

  • Deborah December 22, 2012 at 12:42 am

    Did you drill a hole in them to string the lights through? Looks very beautiful.

    • missy December 22, 2012 at 4:20 pm

      no, just draped them out the backside of the mouth of the jar and put on the lid

  • Barbara December 30, 2012 at 3:44 am

    Beautiful, saving this idea for next year! Can you tell me, what kind of “snow”?

    • missy December 31, 2012 at 5:50 am

      it’s just a giant bag of plastic confetti snow from walmart. craft stores also carry different kinds 🙂

      • Tamera November 30, 2015 at 8:59 pm

        Do you know if Epsom Salt work too?

  • Anna January 11, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    I just found your blog and wish I would have seen this sooner!! I love these and I will absolutely make them next year! It’s such a simple idea that comes out with such a beautiful result!! I too love snow, and the glow of soft Christmas lights, so this is the perfect craft!!

  • JuneA** January 26, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    GORGEOUS! and easy, which is even better! I found you thru Pinterest, thanks for sharing!

    • Karen November 18, 2016 at 9:42 am

      Do you know if using the plastic snow with the lights could meet the snow?

  • Lauracyw February 6, 2013 at 2:34 am

    These are so cute. And such a neat way to display those little village figurines! Love it!

  • Linda Hadzopulos February 25, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    very charming – I am doing this next year, but will probably start searching thru good-will or any thrift shop I can find for jars of varying sizes. thanx for sharing

  • Anita July 15, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    What a great idea. I really like it and will definitely be making one or more of these this year. Would make a great gift for my daughters and daughter in law also.

  • Dawn July 25, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    LOVE! Do you think epsom salt would work as the snow?

    • missy July 25, 2013 at 6:52 pm

      It depends on where you live. In a dry climate, possibly. But if there’s humidity – the salt will clump together!

  • Anna July 28, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    OK I love this idea! We have tons of village pieces and the past several years we’ve stopped decorating with them because we couldn’t find a way to display them. Will definitely be doing this during the holidays this year!

  • claudia September 2, 2013 at 5:30 am

    this is just gorgeous, will try this for the holiday.

  • Michelle Marlowe September 11, 2013 at 5:00 am

    Wanted to make you snow glove…just a couple of questions…what did you use for snow? and also what did you set your Christmas pieces on? or are they just set on the fluff?
    Thanks!!!

  • Annette My Rose Valley October 28, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    Adorable! I am so in love with this idea. Pinning it and hopefully giving it my own go this Christmas. Thanks for sharing.
    Annette
    My Rose Valley

  • Judy Wood November 11, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I love using apothecary jars (cant get to many). Love the idea of using the lights and SNOW!

  • Cindy Wright November 16, 2013 at 6:10 am

    I was wondering, don’t the lights get too hot for the snow? Love the idea.

    • anne m November 17, 2013 at 5:58 pm

      Je me posais la même question..pour ma part j’utilise des guirlandes à piles…c’est bien plus pratique et très sûr.

  • Patty November 17, 2013 at 4:00 am

    What size are your apothecary jars? 🙂

  • Monica Cockrell November 17, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    I love those apothecary jars. I’m gonna try them.

  • Kay November 17, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    Do you think there would be
    any problem with the lights getting to warm for the snow maybe causing fire.

  • Shabby Jen November 17, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    How lovely!! And you are right, you can get the little figures at any dollar store too! So cheap! So pretty!!!

  • Pamela November 17, 2013 at 2:17 pm

    Absolutely beautiful, stunning. Had to repin. Thanks for sharing.

  • Jackie Blair November 17, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    This is so awesome. I will defiantly be doing this for Christmas this year. Thanks for the share and what bargains. Wow. Love it.

  • Pat G November 17, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I am going to make one of these with battery operated mini lights with timers. Thank you for the great idea and it is something I can do with my grandkids!

  • Janice M. Biscoe November 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm

    Love this idea also. Along with another, I wondered about the lights and the snow; if there would be a problem. I found, at Walmart, not just the tiny lights but the “teeny” lights and am using them in snow scenes in my Fairy Gardens. Thanks so much for all your ideas. Keep them coming!

    • AllyW November 4, 2015 at 9:41 pm

      Did you find the lights with white wire? I found battery operated, but not with white wires.

      • Carol December 23, 2015 at 3:18 am

        You might try masking off the bulbs and the battery compartment (or the bulbs and plug-end of electrical set) and spray painting the traditional green wire with matte white. I would think that a 35 light string would be sufficient. Hope this helps!

    • Gordon May 29, 2016 at 5:49 pm

      Are you referring to fairy lights that are like a drop of water on a very thin string of wire? They can be operated by battery and the newers ones can be plugged in and automatically come on and go off. They come in several colors. Also, there’s a remote so no need to be taking the lid off and on .

  • Michele November 17, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    Wondering if this would work with battery tea lights?

    • jennifer kline November 20, 2013 at 12:22 pm

      I would assume that you would have to dig in the snow every time you turned on or off the battery t-lites.

      • Gordon May 29, 2016 at 5:49 pm

        No. Read above comment by me.

  • Leanne E November 20, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Hi, just wondering what is the “snow” used?

  • Penny Nadeau November 20, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    These villages are so gorgeous. I intend to make at least one, but I have a question. How did keep the minitures suspended at the top of the snow?? I’ve worked with this snow in the past and objects tend to sink into it. I look forward to your reply. Thanks

  • Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile November 21, 2013 at 6:02 am

    These are gorgeous! Pinned! I even have a couple of jars and some of the village, YEAH!
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
    new follower

  • TR November 23, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    I’m going to do this for my antique buffet.

  • Laura Stevens November 30, 2013 at 6:58 am

    Beautiful, think I will try adding a sprinkle of silver glitter to mine

  • jaci December 5, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Greetings from Missouri. What a beautiful idea! I love your ideas.

    Merry Christmas !

  • jaci December 5, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    OOOhhhh One more question. What is the font you used on your pictures? Thank you again!!!

  • Kay Babcock December 5, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    what is the snow? thanks so cute~kay

    • missy December 6, 2013 at 4:22 am

      It’s just the artificial snow found at walmart/target (holiday decor section)

  • Wendy January 4, 2014 at 2:36 am

    Want to use this idea for a church comedy night as centerpieces on the tables. Since it’s a one time thing, do you think the battery operated tea lights will work? Also, any suggestions on getting snow since Christmas is now over?

  • Jackie February 13, 2014 at 1:44 am

    Love these. You can buy battery operated “mini” lights with timers on QVC…They can also be set to stay on or to “twinkle”. I have them wound around my displays and in large dough bowls with bowl fillers, pinecones and such. They look great and to date, they have never gotten hot.

  • Darla May 12, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    I love this idea and will be trying it for my church Christmas Holiday Faire! But I will be drilling the glass and feeding the 50-light string (available at Target) in through the bottom of the jar so the lid can be closed and all the lights can be contained in the jar. Glass drill bits are pretty easy to use with practice. Just a thought.

  • Rachel @ Craft, Art & Mess June 6, 2014 at 9:57 am

    This is super cute, whilst I am not sure I want Christmas all year round, too much of a reminder of how unorganised I am preparing for the real thing, but I am definitely going to pin this to try in Dec. Thanks for sharing.

  • Juliana August 19, 2014 at 2:00 am

    LOOVE this!
    Like a snow village but without the hype, fuss, and collecting!

  • Denise October 23, 2014 at 11:42 am

    Really, really beautiful – but as some others I just want to know whether the lights get too hot for the snow. Is it a problem? Maybe absorbent cotton could be a nice alternative…

    • missy October 24, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      No, not a problem at all! If anything, I think cotton might be more dangerous.

  • Sheila October 27, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    very beautiful, I will be trying this with battery operated lights..

  • Sue October 27, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    I, too, am wondering if the plastic snow would melt with the heat from the lights. These are really pretty. Thanks for sharing!

  • David October 27, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    Totally charming. Thank you for the great idea!

  • Angela October 29, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Too cute, too cute, too cute, too cute!!

    Thank you soooo much for sharing! x

  • Robin October 30, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    These are gorgeous!
    Does anyone know a source for PLASTIC apothecary jars? I’ve alwa ys wanted some for my bathroom, but leary of glass in there! Thanks!

  • brittney October 31, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Wouldnt the REAL snow melt?? Is there some type of real lookin fake snow I could get?

  • Jacki November 2, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    <3 these!!! But WHAT is the "snow" stuff you use & WHERE do you find it??

  • mari November 6, 2014 at 12:03 am

    wow!!!!

  • Penelope Jarvis November 9, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Could I use Epsom salts for snow?

    • missy November 11, 2014 at 5:26 pm

      Absolutely! Great idea!

    • MaryEllen September 3, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Hi! Kosher salt is also coarse, & is sometimes used for snow scenes. Not sure which is coarser…Kosher or Epsom.

  • Margaret November 9, 2014 at 5:56 am

    Hi,how lovely!! what is the snow made of please? any fire retardant material since the lights might be warm? many thanks

  • Miss B November 13, 2014 at 4:13 am

    Beautiful…I can hardly wait to get my supplies!
    Thank you for sharing

  • Debi Anderson November 25, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    Fantastic idea. I have all types of these jars. Bought at The Pottery barn outlet on sale. They sell fake snow too
    I’ve seen fake snow on sale several places – you might Google it – just make sure it is fire retardant I have the tiny lights called “rice lights”. I never knew what to do with them. Yay’. Perfect answer. I have used the jars and fake snow for years & have been looking for a way to dress them up. (In the past I added pinecones & leaves sprayed with a bit of bling – or pretty ornaments, etc Thanks for this clever idea. Oh also I have added a cool embellished tassel to my largestest jar top. – you can find them on sale at many places. Or embellish a fabric tassel yourself. Now I just need my little town or scene. A shopping I will go!

  • Janice November 29, 2014 at 2:12 am

    Just got my supplies!!! I bought cotton & snow flakes… Just for safety did anyone have any issues w either ???

  • emma November 29, 2014 at 3:14 am

    There. Beautiful to look at. And decorate with id call them happiness

  • Tara November 30, 2014 at 2:37 am

    This is so cute! Where did you find the little “scenes?”

  • NanfromMN December 2, 2014 at 2:00 am

    going to try this now. looks great!

  • Joyce January 25, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    love the idea, will be using it for Christmas next year and also for Easter with a different theme

  • Joyce January 25, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    love the idea, will be using it next Christmas and also for easter with a different theme

  • Joyce January 25, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    love it I am going to use it for Easter with a different theme

  • Carolyn February 26, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    thank you for wonderful ideas

  • Karen Franklin September 16, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    I just love this! We always have a craft to do on Thanksgiving, this is just perfect!! Thank you!

  • Joy December 2, 2015 at 5:35 pm

    Where do you find the snow at Michael’s or some place?

  • Diane N. December 2, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    That is the cutest thing ever 🙂 Well done!

  • Sherry in CO December 5, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    Oh did you wake up my Christmas feelings with these wonderful jars. Now I am ready to run with it.
    I was wondering if I use baking powder for snow? I will also call my brother who is fireman and ask him.
    Thank you so much for grabbing out of my BAH HUMBUG mood.

    Sherry in Parker CO

  • samata December 9, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    I am so doing them! Thanks for sharing. Very creative and elegant.

  • Mary Anne December 22, 2015 at 3:08 am

    I did something similar this year. We live in the Northeast in PA and have had almost balmy weather. Folks who want snow are not happy, but those of us who never want to see snow again, we are relishing the 50 to 70 degree weather. I decided to turn my foyer into a snow scene this year. I have an adorable original acrylic painting on wood of a snowman so I hung him above my antique gateleg table. I covered the table in a white table cloth and started putting out my collection of white trees. I then move to the apothecary jars, large gallon jars and any other cloches I had. I filled them with snow and bottle brush trees, along with antique white raindeer. Some of them have small white figures of people, animals etc. The best part are the lights. I found battery operated white tiny lights on copper wire that are just amazing. When they are off you don’t even notice them, since the wire is so thin. I also hung my large white Moravian star from the second floor bannister. Can’t wait till it is all finished, I think it will just glow.

  • Amanda June 17, 2016 at 8:43 am

    Hej !
    Det jätte fint

  • marie powell October 10, 2016 at 8:50 am

    What is your snow made of, can you suggest some ideas, like shredded cello, small plastic stones, even bean bag filling would probably work what do you think

  • Debra October 23, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Love this idea!! Just beautiful! What are you using for snow?

  • Marie November 17, 2016 at 2:36 am

    Can you please tell me what you used for snow? I’m concerned of some snows catching fire.

  • Laura November 20, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    OMG I love these. I am going to buy the stuff I need to make. Can not wait.

  • Candace McGee December 4, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    I adore this! I’m done decorating for the holidays this year and went with a more traditional theme because most of the stuff was free or super cheap. Next year, however, I’m planning to have a white Christmas theme and this will be perfect!

    http://thequirklife.com/

  • Cathy August 8, 2017 at 1:32 am

    How do you get the figures to stay above the snow and not weigh it down?