DIY Winter Scene in a Jar. 2 Easy Snowy Scene Decor Ideas

I created 2 super cute and dreamy winter scenes in a jar with these two easy Christmas decor ideas using a vase, snow, mini trees, and a glowing ceramic house. Learn how here.

I swear I didn’t plan on making more Christmas villages this year… but then I walked past my jars and vases, and suddenly they were begging for a little snow and a tiny glowing house.

Finished winter scene in a glass vase displayed on a wooden surface with surrounding decor. Feature image with title text overlay

My brain in December has one very strong personality trait: “Ooh, that jar would look adorable with snow in it.”You know how it goes. One minute you’re cleaning up the coffee table, and the next you’re building a whole winter scene like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

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2 Super cute and Easy Snowy Scene Decor Ideas

I can’t help it. Something about this season makes me want to create little glowing winter moments around the house — nothing fancy, just simple snowy scenes that make you smile every time you walk by.

These little snowy moments are so simple, but they bring such a soft, cozy glow to the room, and honestly, they’re the quickest Christmas decor you can put together.

Today I’m sharing two ways to make a winter scene in a jar (or vase!), both easy and really fun, take less than 10 minutes, and the result is this dreamy little winter village moment you can display anywhere.

So, if you’ve been wanting simple Christmas jar decorations, a cute winter scene in a vase, or a quick DIY winter village idea, these two projects are such a fun place to start.

How to Make a Winter Scene in a Jar

Below you’ll find two different ways to create these snowy little worlds — both easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for beginners.

Idea 1: Winter Scene in a Vase (Glass Bowl)

Finished winter scene in a glass vase displayed on a wooden surface with surrounding decor.

This version has a softer, rounder look — perfect as a glass bowl Christmas decoration or for styling next to nutcrackers, garlands, and mantel decor.

Supplies

Glass bowl or wide vase
Ceramic houses (or any small winter house)
Bottle-Brush trees (or any type of trees that fit your theme)
Glittery deer or small figurines
Artificial snow
LED tea lights or micro fairy lights

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare your bowl

Set your glass bowl on a flat surface so it’s easy to build your little winter village. Make sure it’s clean and shiny!

Hands arranging supplies on a table for a winter scene in a glass vase, including trees, a ceramic house, and faux snow.

Step 2: Add artificial snow

Pour a generous layer of artificial snow into the bottom of the bowl. Enough so the house and trees “sit into it” rather than on top of it.

Artificial snow being poured into the bottom of a tall glass vase to create the base of a winter scene.

Hands taping on the snow to set it and firm it.

Step 3: Place your ceramic house

Nestle the house into the snow so it looks grounded and cozy. Turn on your LED tea light or fairy lights first (if they have it) so it glows through the windows.

Ceramic house being placed inside the vase on top of the artificial snow.

Step 4: Add Cute trees

Arrange your snowy trees behind and slightly around the house. Play with height and spacing until it feels balanced.

Bottle brush trees being added behind the ceramic house inside the glass vase. A small metallic deer figurine being set next to the house inside the snowy vase scene.

Step 5: Add the decorative deer

Place your metallic or glitter reindeer at the side of the house. This little touch adds texture and brightness and just completes the village feel.

Step 6: Add lights (optional! but magical!)

Tuck fairy lights around the house and trees. The glow bouncing inside the glass makes everything come alive at night.

Adding more artificial fairy lights around the house and trees inside the glass vase.

Adjusting the snowy base and positioning the figurines inside the winter scene jar.

Put it in your preferred place and voila!

Angled view of the completed glass vase winter scene showing the ceramic house glowing from inside.

Idea 2: Winter Scene in a Jar (Cylinder Vase)

Wide shot of the finished jar winter scene displayed with Christmas decor pieces.

If you want something a bit more compact, this winter scene jar is perfect. It’s easy, elegant, and fits anywhere — trays, shelves, small tables, even your desk.

Supplies:

Tall glass cylinder vase or large jar
Ceramic house, preferably with LED tea lights inside (or any small winter house)
Bottle-Brush trees (or any type of trees that fit your theme)
Small deer figurine
Artificial snow

Instructions:

Step 1: Set up your jar and materials

Lay out your pieces so you can see your “mini village” before building.

Tall cylinder jar filled with artificial snow, ceramic house, and bottle brush trees.

Step 2: Add your artificial snow

Pour about 1–2 inches of snow into the jar. Enough to bury the bases of the trees and house.

Artificial snow being poured into the bottom of a tall glass jar to create the base of a winter scene.

Step 3: Add the Cute house and trees

Place the house slightly toward the front or center. Turn on your LED tea light so that warm glow shows through the windows. Also, add the taller trees behind the house and smaller ones in front or to the side. Layering creates depth, which looks beautiful through the glass.

Side view of the snowy jar scene with the ceramic house glowing from LED tea light.

Step 5: Add your deer

This instantly gives it that magical winter village look. Position it facing the house or nestled between the trees.

Close-up of the ceramic house and snowy trees inside the jar winter scene.

Step 6: Final Touches

Sprinkle a little extra snow if needed, and tuck any lights around the base so they don’t show through the glass from the wrong angle.

Step 7: Place it on a tray or shelf

Now your snowy scene jar is ready to rock! It looks adorable in a vignette with candles, mini ornaments, or pinecones.

I put it on my vignette on my coffee table!

Decorative deer figurine placed beside the house inside the snowy jar village.

And this is how it turned out! Such a simple and easy project and look how cute it is!

Winter scene jar styled on a table with ornaments, lights, and surrounding holiday decorations.

These little winter villages might be simple, but they bring so much magic to your holiday decor. Whether you make the glass bowl version, the snowy scene jar, the tray one, or all of them (trust me, it’s hard to stop at one!), they’re such a sweet way to add that cozy, glowing winter magic to any corner of your home.

Finished winter scene in a glass vase displayed on a TV console with surrounding decor and 2 wooden nutcracker

Let me know which version you try first — I love seeing your creations!

Closeup view of the jar winter scene showing the house, trees, and snowy base through the glass.

Tips & Variations

Use different containers: Trifle bowls, hurricane vases, apothecary jars… anything clear works.
Swap the house: Tealight churches, wood houses, paper houses, ceramic cottages — totally interchangeable.
Add mini ornaments: Small baubles around the base look adorable.
Try flocked trees only: For an even more wintery feel.
Make it kid-friendly: Skip glass and use plastic jars or acrylic containers.

Close-up aesthetic shot of the final vase winter scene with a ceramic house, snowy trees, and warm lights.

FAQs

What kind of artificial snow works best?

The fine, fluffy kind looks most realistic, but chunky snow works too if you like more texture. And even salt will do the trick.

Can I use real candles?

Nope — only LED tea lights or fairy lights. Real flames and artificial snow don’t mix.

Where can I find the houses and trees?

Craft stores, dollar stores, IKEA, Amazon… pretty much everywhere once the holiday season hits. And you can also make your own cute paper houses.

Can I reuse the snow next year?

Absolutely — just pour it into a zip bag when packing up.

More Christmas Projects to Try

Loving this Winter Scene in a Jar tutorial? You might also love these other gorgeous Christmas project ideas too:

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How to Make a Wooden book stack for Christmas

DIY Paper Christmas Village (+ Free Cut Files)

DIY Winter Scene Christmas Cloche Centerpiece

✂️ Tutorial