This past weekend, my family and I put up our Christmas decorations. The stockings are hung “by the chimney with care”, the tree is decorated with memories and ornaments, the crèche is in the alcove by the stairs and the winter wreath is hung on the door. The air is scented with pine and peppermint and a fire blazed in the fireplace as temperatures dipped into the teens last night.

Unwrapping each ornament is like unwrapping memories. Old favorites bring shouts of “Oh, I love this one”. Handmade decorations bring nostalgic “I remember when you made this for me in kindergarten.” They are the ties that bind young and old year after year.

This year, my son’s snow globe brought back fond memories of a Christmas vacation spent at Disney World with our entire family. Snow globes have always been a favorite of mine. Who can resist turning the ball upside down to watch a tiny manmade snowstorm? (Not my father, evidently, whose fascination led to an embarrassing incident in a mall and the now familiar warning of “Make sure it’s attached before turning it over!”)

What You Need:

• Small glass jar with tight fitting lid (a baby food jar works well)
• Glitter
• Small plastic winter ornament (cake decoration, sleigh, snowman, etc)
• Silicon glue
• Water

What You Do:

1. Glue the ornament to the inside of the jar lid and allow it to dry thoroughly.
2. Fill the jar with water and add a small pinch of glitter.
3. Line the inside of the lid with the silicon glue and screw it on the jar, creating a waterproof seal.
4. Store with the lid up overnight to dry.
5. The next day, turn the jar over and enjoy your snowstorm!