Quick and Easy Snowman Decorations

Whether you have tired of your current collection of holiday decor or want to add to it, making some snowmen decorations can achieve either. These are super simple ideas that don’t cost very much and are good for kids to make. Most crafters have some of the materials in their supply box for craft projects and left overs from other projects. Pre-school aged children can, for the most part, do this on their own with minimal assistance. Younger children can watch and help assemble the snowmen and then decorate them easily. There is no limit to the variations that individuals can do to personalize and match the snowmen decorations to their decor.

The basic materials needed are styrofoam balls of varying sizes, a heavy duty thread or fishing line and a long upholstery needle, buttons, and some accessories for decorating the finished basic snowman. Depending on the size of your Christmas Tree, you will want to choose styrofoam balls that will be appropriate in scale. A few oversized snowmen make a good statement (if doing a themed tree rather than an eclectic mix) and emphasizes the smaller snowmen decorations so that they don’t disappear between the branches! I prefer to use 7 large, 5 medium sized, and a dozen or more small sized decorations as a rule of thumb when assembling new decorations-this works well for an average sized seven foot tree. Another material idea that can be used in place of styrofoam balls is pompoms. The softer fluffier version creates a different kind of snowman decoration that is also fun and attractive.

Assembling the snowmen decorations is simple. Start by threading a heavy thread-like string through a button. I pull twice the length of the height that the finished snowman will be and center the button there, then tie a knot to keep it there-this will be the anchor for your thread and what holds the decoration together. Use both free ends of the thread to thread the needle. Next, stick the threaded needle through the center of the largest styrofoam ball or pom-pom (this will serve as the base snowball) and pull it completely through the ball. Follow the same procedure and add the mid-sized ball then the smallest. The snowballs may be kept together tightly or loosely depending on the look that you wish to achieve. Tighter creates a traditional look while some space between the snowballs gives a more whimsical or rusty appearance. With the remaining string that will be sticking out of the top (smallest) ball, use another button and tie a knot at the top of the button-this will hold the decoration together. The Basic snowman decoration is now assembled.

There is no limit to the variety of decorating that can be done with these snowmen decorations. Styrofoam balls can be bedazzled with glue and glitter or iridescent flecks to catch the twinkling of the Christmas Tree lights. Scraps of fabrics can be used to make hats, scarves, boots, facial features and any other addition that you care to add. The snowmen decorations can be themed with certain fabrics or be an eclectic hodgepodge. Snowmen can be decorated to represent family members or favorite characters. Pre-made accessories and miniatures can be purchased at many craft stores. Little miniature carrots glued onto the face make a good presentation. Add an ornament hook and start decorating your tree or save some to give as token gifts to friends and family. Have fun with these fun and easy Snowmen Decorations and enjoy the holidays!