Snow Globe Soap Tutorial

December 4, 2011

Today I'm sharing how to make a Christmas snow globe out of soap.

Soap snow globes plastic snowmen plastic Santas

Since there's been so much interest in this post over the past year, I thought I'd re-post it here for you today. I'd still say it's one of the best homemade gifts we've ever made.

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I was trying to figure out what to do with my kids while they're home for the entire week before Christmas (and after, but that’s another story…) when I came across Alphamom’s post on snow-globe soap. I was sold on the absolute cuteness factor as well as its relative ease on the kids’ crafting scale, so I decided to go for it.

five soap snow globes filled with snowmen and santas



Supplies For Making Christmas Snow Globe Out of Soap 

 
Bar (or bars) of white hand soap (3 for $1 at Dollar Tree)

Ice cube tray(s) (2 for $1 at Dollar Tree)

Small plastic toys that will fit into individual ice cube tray compartments ~ I picked up little Santas and snowmen for 60% off at Michael's.

sparkly red glitter Santa mini Christmas ornaments

Each mini-ornament Santa is carrying something different. I just clipped off the string for hanging from the top. 


snowmen pencil toppers

 These adorable snowmen are actually pencil toppers.

 
glycerin brick soap making supplies
 

1 glycerin brick ($10 at Michael's -- I got it for $5 with my 50% off coupon). 

glitter jar cinnamon soap fragrance blue soap dye
 

1 bottle blue soap dye

1 bottle soap fragrance (I chose cinnamon swirl ~ yum!)

Vegetable peeler 

Pyrex measuring cup or any glass bowl

Toothpicks



 
 

How To Make Christmas Snow Globes Out of Soap

 
Here’s where the kids come in. Give them each a bar of white soap and a vegetable peeler. Have them “peel” the soap into curly-ques for later use as a snow floor. I have to give equal time here to all three chickadees who were instrumental in the making of these snow globes!
 
hands vegetable peeler white bar of soap


kids hands vegetable peeler white bar soap



In the meantime....

Step 1
Cut the glycerin into chunks, along the lines already provided in the brick itself. Our best guess scientific method proved that 4 blocks created enough melted wax to fill 5 ice cube tray slots. Place in Pyrex measuring cup or any glass bowl.

Step 2
Microwave on high for 1 minute. If it’s not totally melted, stir with a metal spoon and reheat for a few seconds until all is melted.

Step 3
Add 2 drops (AND I MEAN ONLY 2 DROPS) of coloring, and at LEAST 2 drops of scent to the mix. The more the scent-ier, if you know what I mean! I wanted a real strong scent so I just p-o-u-r-e-d it in!  If you put in any more dye the globe will turn out REALLY blue.  Like so.
 

 
Yes, I know Santa looks like the Abominable Snowman here.  Needless to say we're keeping this one for us.

Step 4
Pour the mixture into each slot of the ice cube tray, leaving about a quarter inch open at the top. Sprinkle the glitter into each slot, and swirl with a toothpick to mix it around in the slot.

Step 5
WAIT 5 MINUTES. You should see the mixture starting to “gel” and get thicker.

Step 6
Carefully place your plastic decoration into each slot, and make sure to place them UPSIDE DOWN (because the bottom of your cube will become the top later).


Step 7
Now sprinkle some grated soap “snow” as the next layer of the cube, but only a little, because if you use too much snow the cube will not stay together at pop-out time. I used it VERY SPARINGLY. Then use more melted glycerin to top off the cube. 

plastic ice cube tray filled with glycerin and soap shavings

Now place in the freezer for AT LEAST A HALF HOUR to solidify. Take the tray out of the freezer and pop the cubes out as you would real ice cubes. And VOILA! Pretty petite Christmas snow globe soaps!

six homemade Christmas soap snow globes



homemade snow globe soap santa glitter


plastic snowman pink hat glitter soap snow globe

These are great hostess gifts as well as great little surprises to send to family near and far. That’s what we’ll be doing. Ssshhh….

DIY Merry Christmas gift tags


 
To wrap, place in clear plastic bags and tie with glitter pipe cleaners. I got the label template from eighteen25And off they go for delivery!

Well, that's it until next time, friends!
 I hope you enjoyed reading about my
 Snow Globe Soap Tutorial
 and that I've inspired you in some way. 
 
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Soap snow globes plastic snowmen plastic Santas

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Leave a Comment!

Richard Cottrell said...

Very ambitious, and clever, and fun and good for you. Richard from My Old Historic House.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Your children did a great job on the holiday soaps. A fun craft to get the children involved. I remember seeing something on this a few years ago and thought about getting my grands involved, but it never panned out.

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

I just love this project!! They really are adorable.

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