Holiday DIY: Snowy Christmas Terrariums

Who doesn’t love a fun, easy (and affordable!) Christmas DIY?  I made these little terrariums last year in some apothecary jars and this year they got a little bit of an update.  They couldn’t be simpler to make, really.  I almost feel silly posting a DIY about them, but many of you asked and I figured it was worth sharing.  I purchased these little glass jars from HomeSense.  I believe they’re cupcake displays but you could use any kind of apothecary jar, glass bowl, or even mason jar.  They don’t even have to have a lid on them (although I think the lids add a little something special).  My glass jars cost me $6 and $7 each. One has a tiny chip in the edge of the lid but was originally supposed to be $12.  I think with a bit of searching around your house or at places like HomeSense or Michaels, you’d be able to find something appropriate without any issues.

Other than the jar or jars of your choice, here’s what you’ll need (links included where possible):

• Epsom salts (you can buy fake snow but its too fluffy, way more expensive, and doesn’t look as sparkly as this)
• Tiny houses
• Miniature accessories such as deer, pinecones, or trees

That’s it!

For the miniatures, I bought a few things at Michaels.  I didn’t use them all for these displays.  Not a lot fits in these jars, so don’t go overboard.  I actually pulled a few branches and pinecones off of other fake greenery I already had to stand in as a couple of the trees.  Michaels has a whole section on miniatures for those Christmas villages you can buy and set up at home.  When I went they were buy one, get one free as well, which was amazing!  I picked up a pack of 2 deer, a really pretty bridge (I used that elsewhere and you’ll see it in my holiday house tour post soon), and a few snow-covered trees.  The small houses fill up most of the area you have to work with, depending on the size of your vessel.

You’ll see bigger, white, snow-covered houses in some of my photos which ended up being way too big but I am obsessed with them and didn’t even realize they had LED lights inside!  They ended up making up a whole other display in my dining room (again, you’ll see those in my holiday house tour).

The tiny grey houses I used were just tree ornaments and I simply cut of the loop of string at the top.  I haven’t totalled them up to an exact number but I believe this whole project cost me about $25 for both terrariums.  If you’re shopping at Michaels, don’t forget to use your 40% off coupon!

Start with your epsom salts as a base and arrange everything to your liking.  This is where you can get creative.  Use what you like and leave out what you don’t.  You can even add a string of those pretty little LED lights if you like!  I didn’t like how the battery pack was too difficult to hide with mine, but it depends on your jar and where you’re displaying it.

In the image above you’ll see a package of fake snow (for reference).  I used this for my Christmas photoshoots, not for this project.  I still recommend using epsom salts – and you may even have them in the house already.

Here are a few other links to adorable miniature accessories you might like to use:

• Adorable bridge (same one I bought to use for another project)
• Lamppost with wreath
• Miniature sled
• Vintage truck with LED light

Please note: this post is not sponsored and I am not affiliated with Michaels or any other retailer mentioned or linked in this post.

I hope you enjoy making these!  Please share your final results with me.  Tag me on Instagram or comment below with your thoughts.  Thanks for reading and following along!