Building a Snow Village

The theme in the dining room for the holidays is all snow and glitter.  Each year I build a snow village using several paper/cardboard glitter houses.  There are many ways to make your own on Pinterest, but I purchased these affordable, yet adorable houses over the years. They are readily available in many retail stores.

The buffet in the dining room is the perfect spot for this.  I leave the lace runner (a favorite handmade piece from our trip to Italy) in place and add a strand of white lights. I also leave the table lamps and add a small wreath to each.  A winter painting is placed in the small window above.

Next, I add items to create varying heights~~ a cake stand and different size boxes.

Using old white napkins and linens (they can be torn or stained, it won’t matter), I cover the boxes, and place the lights on top of the linens.

Next I add my village houses and churches. Like an old town, the church is at the highest point and in the center.

Then, I add trees.  Mine don’t match.  They are an odd compilation of evergreen, wood with glitter and funky, but it all seems to work.

Next I add another string of lights.  The purpose of this string is to insert the bulbs in the back of the houses.  Each of them have a hole in the back.

Taking the time to do this is rewarding as the little house looks so magical, as if the lights are on and somebody’s home.

The remainig lights are laid around the bases and in between the trees.

You can get packaged snow from any hobby store (mine is from Michael’s).  It is 100% polyester, flame retardant and comes in a roll.

I cannot take credit for this part.  My dear friend, Janie, taught me this trick years ago and I think it produces fabulous results.  It’s important to pull apart the fine layers of batting (vs. clumping) and drape the snow over the lights.  You can layer it or mound it up, but the key is to keep the “snow” or batting a light as possible.  The effect is so lovely, almost heavenly.

The snow hides all the wiring and lights and bases, producing a soft glow.

At night, with the lamps off, this snow village is so dreamy and enchanting! Now I am off to put out all the snow globes!!! Happy decorating!