I love visiting a local nursery for inspiration. Although much of their decor is out of my budget, I often spot high-end pieces I can recreate affordably. In this article I’ll show how I made a DIY snow globe terrarium — a charming apothecary-style display you can place in any room to showcase a small winter scene behind glass. Best of all, it keeps delicate decor safely enclosed, so curious pets are less likely to disturb it.
What you’ll need
- Glass dome
- Fake snow
- House or church ornament (one that lights up is a plus)
- Bottle brush trees in various sizes
- Small vehicle like a matchbox car or truck (optional, for added charm)
My inspiration began when I spotted a beautiful glass dome at the nursery priced at $50. I imagined a succulents-and-air-plants terrarium, but the price put me off. The very next day I found a nearly identical dome at a craft store for $35, and at checkout it was on sale for $13.99. With a 20% off coupon applied to the total, I couldn’t resist. I grabbed it and immediately planned a festive use for it in my Christmas display.
This project is delightfully simple: it’s mostly about arranging a small scene inside the dome. Start by creating a soft base with fake snow, mounded slightly to suggest natural drifts. Position your focal piece first; I used a white church ornament and set it front and center. Surround it with bottle brush trees of different heights to add depth and a sense of scale.
To add a playful, storybook touch, I borrowed a few small trucks from my dad’s collection and placed a tiny tree in the back of one, so it looks like a family is bringing home their Christmas tree. Little details like this make the display feel alive and personal.
One of my favorite elements of this particular ornament is that it lights up. Each evening I lift the dome, switch on the light, and replace the glass — a simple step that transforms the scene and creates a warm, cozy glow.
Overall, the snow globe terrarium evokes a miniature snow village with a fresh twist thanks to the glass dome. It’s an easy, quick project — mine took about ten minutes from start to finish — and it adds a boutique, high-end look to a countertop, shelf, or entry table. It’s a lovely way to bring seasonal charm into your home without spending a fortune.