DIY Photo Snow Globe Christmas Ornament (Memory Keepsake)
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This DIY snow globe Christmas ornament is a simple way to turn a photo into a meaningful keepsake. I made it with a clear fillable ornament and faux snow, and it’s a personal decoration you can hang on the tree year after year or give as a thoughtful gift.
This project is especially useful for preserving memories, celebrating milestones, or creating a Christmas ornament that feels personal instead of disposable.
Table of Contents
How to make a Snow Globe Christmas Ornament
I wanted our Christmas tree to include real family memories instead of just decorative ornaments. That’s what led me to create these DIY snow globe ornaments using small photos from meaningful moments in our lives.
Each ornament holds a photo inside a clear globe, turning it into a simple keepsake you can hang on the tree year after year.
Hope you enjoy these keepsake ornaments and get inspired to make some with your own special moments and memories.
Supplies:
- Faux snow – to make it look like a winter wonderland scene.
- Christmas Jingle bells
- Clear plastic ornament {those that open in half size of your choice, I used 3 inches ornaments}
- Printed photos
- White Glitter {snow-like and gold}
- Twine
- Wooden mini frames {usually scrapbook supplies and make sure fit into the crystal balls}
- Clear elastic Nylon.
Tools:
- Hot Glue Gun and glue sticks
- Scissors and craft knife
Instructions:
Step 1: Making the Inner Frames
Cut your photos to fit inside the mini frames, testing the size as you go.
Once the photos are ready, apply hot glue to the frame and glue the photo face down.
Repeat this on both frames so each photo is sealed between the front and back.
Cut a small strip of clear nylon thread, about 2 inches long.
Glue the nylon thread to the back of one of the frames.
Apply hot glue to the back of the frame and photo, then glue it to the second frame to seal everything together.
Double-check that the finished frame fits inside the clear ornament before moving on.
Repeat this process with the remaining photos and frames.
Step 2: Assembling the Snow Globe Ornament
Pour a small amount of faux snow into one half of the clear ornament.
Add glitter if desired. I used white snow-like glitter, gold glitter, and a few star accents.
Insert the nylon thread through the ornament opening, adjusting it so the photo frame hangs freely without touching the sides.
Place the second half of the ornament back on.
Tip: Add a tiny dab of hot glue or a small piece of clear tape at the bottom to prevent the ornament from opening.
Repeat these steps for the remaining ornaments.
Step 3: Adding the Rustic Hanger and Bow
Cut two pieces of twine for each ornament: one for the hanger and one for the bow.
Slide a small jingle bell onto the bow piece of twine, positioning it in the center.
Tie the bow, keeping the bell centered.
For the hanger, slide the twine through the ornament’s top opening and tie a knot.
Position the knot inside the opening, then use small dabs of hot glue to secure the bow in place
Your snow globe photo ornament is finished and ready to hang on the tree or gift as a keepsake.
Crafting Tips
Clear ornaments that open in half work best when using framed photos, since they give you more space to assemble everything neatly. If you’re using regular clear ornaments, laminating the photos and hanging them from nylon thread makes insertion easier.
Avoid permanently gluing the ornament shut if you’d like the option to reuse it in the future. Leaving it removable allows you to swap photos or decorations later. To keep it secure without sealing it permanently, place a small piece of clear adhesive tape on the bottom opening.
That’s it! There you go, one adorable Christmas ornament snow globe!
Make as many as you like and keep adding more and more memories.
Some really meaningful and pretty Memory Keepsake Christmas ornament snow globes.
A few variations and alternatives
If you find faux snow too messy, you can swap it for heavier glitter, which tends to stay in place better inside the ornament. There are also different types of faux snow available, some less lightweight than others.
Instead of twine, you can use white baker’s twine or ribbon for a softer or more elegant look. A white organza ribbon works especially well if you prefer something less rustic.
If you can’t find mini wooden frames, you have a few options. You can make simple frames using narrow craft sticks, laminate the photos and use them without frames, or insert laminated photos directly into the ornament.
To add more detail inside the snow globe ornament, you can include small elements like mini bottle brush trees, snowflakes, or tiny figurines. You can also personalize the ornament further by adding names to the photos or applying vinyl lettering to the outside of the ornament.
Aren’t these cute and joyful? Also super duper easy to make. you can have about 4 of these ornaments made in less than an hour.
What do you think??? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions
For a DIY snow globe ornament, you can use faux snow or glitter along with small decorative elements like bottle brush trees or mini figurines. In this project, photos are the main focal point, suspended inside the ornament to create a meaningful keepsake rather than a decorative filler ornament.
No. While traditional snow globes use liquid, DIY snow globe ornaments can be made without it. This tutorial uses a dry method with faux snow and photos, which is easier to assemble and better suited for hanging on a Christmas tree.
Clear fillable ornaments are widely available at craft stores, dollar stores, online marketplaces like Amazon, and seasonal Christmas shops. Look for ornaments that open in half, as they make it easier to assemble photo-based snow globe ornaments.
Mini frames are commonly found in the scrapbook section of craft stores. If you can’t find them, laminated photos or simple DIY frames made from narrow craft sticks are good alternatives for snow globe ornaments.
More Christmas Ornaments to Try
If you like this cute Christmas ornament Snow Globe tutorial, I’m sure you will love these other Christmas project ideas too:
✂️ Tutorial
DIY Photo Snow Globe Christmas Ornament
Tools
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- Scissors and craft knife
Supplies
- Faux snow – to make it look like a winter wonderland scene.
- Jingle bells
- Clear plastic ornament {those that open in half size of your choice I used 3inchesornaments}
- Printed photos
- Glitter {snow-like and gold}
- Twine
- Wooden mini frames {usually scrapbook supplies and make sure fit into the crystal balls}
- Clear elastic Nylon.
Instructions
- Cut your printed photos to fit inside the mini wooden frames. Check the fit before gluing.
- Apply hot glue to the back of each frame and attach a photo face down. Repeat with a second frame and photo.
- Cut a 2-inch piece of clear nylon thread and glue one end to the back of a frame. Glue the two frames together, back to back, with the thread secured between them.
- Check that the finished photo frame fits inside the clear ornament. Repeat with the remaining photos and frames.
- Add a small amount of faux snow to one half of the ornament. Sprinkle in some white and gold glitter, and a few decorative accents if desired.
- Thread the nylon through the ornament’s top opening and adjust it until the photo frame hangs freely without touching the sides.
- Close the ornament with the second half. Secure the bottom seam with a small piece of clear tape or a tiny dab of hot glue if needed.
- Cut two pieces of twine, one for the hanger and one for the bow. Thread a small jingle bell onto the bow piece and tie a bow, keeping the bell centered.
- Thread the hanger twine through the top opening and tie a knot, tucking it inside. Attach the bow near the top with small dabs of hot glue.
- Repeat for the remaining ornaments, and they’re ready to hang on your Christmas tree!
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