Snow Globes

I spent about 9 hours Sunday night looking for attractive snow globes. I told a friend about my quest and he said, "What? How hard can it be?" Then he saw the one billion atrocious snow globes that exist in the world and apologized. I mean, really.

We've collected snow globes for Maddie since she was a baby and what I've learned from collecting snow globes is two-fold. When people hear you collect anything you get about a billion of that thing. And some of them, are terrifying.

I've also learned that when you see a snow globe that is even remotely modern or attractive you should snatch that baby up because you'll never see it again.

Keeping in mind we've been collecting snow globes for about 11 years, please note our collection has just 6 globes. Here's our, I mean, Maddie's collection.

I can't remember what year Nordstrom featured Olive The Other Reindeer for their holiday theme, but that year we decided to start a little collection for Madison. Right after we took her to Santa for the first and last time.

Now get ready because this one is going to blow your mind. It's a snow man in a snow globe, holding a snow man in a snow globe. Ideally that snow man would be holding a snow man in a snow globe too but maybe that's just too much if you're not on any controlled substances. This one came from Eddie Bauer Home.

Here's a cute little penguin I found by chance at Target while roaming the aisles pretending to buy things we absolutely needed for the house.

I picked this one up at Pottery Barn Kids and in Madison's dreams this is the what Christmas morning always looks like. (That's a puppy, not a pig.)

This one is my least favorite, it's a little Kountry Kute. But Maddie likes it and I am fond of the striking red base so I keep it out. (It's from Crate and Barrel)

This is another of my favorites, it's so sweet and simple. It came from the Martha Stewart Holiday collection at Kmart. I went there this year hoping she had another in this year's collection, but no.

I found a couple of decent ones while browsing this year I thought I'd share in case you don't feel like looking at 50,000 snow globes featuring bears in football jerseys.

For $29 at West Elm, this bunny is perfect. And totally sold out. Please see my tip above about grabbing these things whenever you see them. There is a peacock and a tree that are supposed to be back in stock just after Christmas.

The silver base on this one sort of annoys me, but I like the simple tree in the middle so I'm including it. $20 at Bon Ton.

It's not exactly holiday-ish, but this Buddha one tickles me. $40 at Gumps.

These city snow globes would be a really fun way to remember a vacation, you know, place you harp on your husband about moving to. $40 at Saks.

This one is also sold out but who knows, maybe they'll get more in. Not appropriate for my 11 year old but funny still. $15 at Urban Outfitters.

Here's a DIY option, I'd love to see an Etsy seller have at this doing something creative and funny and do it for under $700. $15 at Amazon.

Don't forget about my Shutterfly Photobook giveaway. Remember you just need to create and share a photobook, no need to buy anything to win. I'm loving looking at your pictures so far, you guys have cute families.

Comments

[Lara]

My grandma collects snow globes! She has a few monstrosities in her collection...of hundreds. And hundreds. And when she collects something else, too, like Nebraska Cornhusker football stuff....well, just imagine how many Husker snowglobes she has. Likely every one in existence.

[Alexa]

Very pretty and stylish snow globes. The one you like least made me do a double take...I thought the snow man was chopping the deer down with an axe...

[Krysta]

Maddie's Christmas morning dreams sound a lot like mine, only I am hoping that the animal in the box really is a piglet.

[Andria]

I totally know what you mean about people jumping in and buying you something when they know you collect said item-- I collect nutcrackers, and OMG, have I received some hideous ones.

[Heather B.]

I'll be sure to send a photo when that WTF snowglobe is up in my apartment. A place that offends no one except for my cat.

[existentialwaitress]

The photo of your daughter with Santa pretty much mirrors my experience with taking my son to visit Santa; he prefers to write him a letter now.

[Cicely]

I was just at Target last night and remember seeing a bunch of pretty snow globes in their home section. They stood out since they weren't in the Christmas section. I think most of them had silver bases though, so they'd probably annoy you. But you never know - worth checking out next time you're there. They were by the picture frames (I'm pretty sure all Targets have the same basic layout.)

[jennifer]

Don't know if you've seen these yet, but Target has snow globe bouncy balls in their stocking stuffer aisle o' crap. Not suitable for a nice collection, but suitable for novelty "wheeeeee!"

[GrandeMocha]

Was the "Olive the Other Reindeer" from Somerset around 1999/2000? I have the book somewhere that I got from the Somerset Santa.

[beyond]

usually snow globes are rather monstrous. (is the titanic one for real? holy cow!) you have the nicest collection i have ever come across.

[Karen]

My daughter collects snow globes too, but mostly from travels. Sadly her last one was confiscated when my husband had it in his carry-on luggage. So short trips aren't good for getting snow globes!

I have only one but I love it - it is an Irish Santa which I actually leave out all year.

[Heather]

Yeah, but have you seen THIS snow globe? http://www.miamiherald.com/375/story/1366188.html?storylink=omni_popular

[Melissa Summers]

Someone emailed me. That is a riot.

[p/f]

I've wanted a Saks Pgh. snowglobe since I worked there (before moving to MI) 13 years ago. I keep telling my parents about it, but they'd rather buy me a sweater perfect for a toddler or a 72-yr-old every single year.

Maybe I'll buy my husband a Portland, or Madison, or Burlington,VT snowglobe to see if he can take a hint.

[lynne]

I collect snowglobes too - it started when my parents bought me a merry go round horse in a snowglobe when I was a teenager and now I have less than a dozen or so of the big ones - like you said, it is hard to find decent ones. Several of mine are merry go round related - it was sort of a theme for a while with my parents. Which come to think of it kind of says something about my upbringing. And I have a million little snowmen and Santa ones that people give me, plus little ones from places we've vacationed. But your collection puts mine to shame. Thanks for the tips, I was looking for one for this year - I love the Buddha one! We are irreverent Unitarians with Buddhist friends, I think it's perfect.

[Mere]

I love the peacock one so I called West Elm since I have a gift card and they have them in stock. Maybe you can get a store to ship if they do not have one near you? Or hell, talk nice to me and I can pick one up for you! Sounded like they had plenty! I am heading over there tomorrow!

[bonzai]

Am I the only one who thinks the snowman looks like he's about the clobber the reindeer with the little "For You" sign?

[Kate]

Just remember, if you're going on a trip and need to take all your snow globes, pack them in your checked baggage. That liquid could exceed the limits!

Merry Christmas.

ps i love that West Elm one.
pps The Olive campaign was 1999/2000. Obsessed, I was.

[Lynn]

I don't like snowglobes. The people and animals trapped inside freaks me out. I'm sure they want to get out.

[Melissa Summers]

Oh don't be silly. OMG IT'S A SNOWMAN TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!

[The Bug]

I LOVE Olive the Other Reindeer! It's a Christmas classic in our house - I always sing along with Drew...

[Amy]

Target has some pretty ones over in the section near the picture frames/framed art rather than in their Christmas aisles. I bought the Eiffel tower one to give to a French teacher colleague. They also had landmarks from other cities. They are simple and elegant - silver bases, if I am remembering correctly.

[Coury]

I also have a snow globe collection, with BOTH terrifying globes mentioned in post. For the love of God, I had to mention that we have moved on to collecting only $20 bills only to get certain people to stop buying me every freaking Santa snowglobe they came across. I ended up 2 years ago with 6 of the same Wal-Mart Ugly Santa Snowglobes from 6 different people.

I love the WTF one for my office.

[Nicola Emms]

Hi there, how about this site? they look beautiful and the time you spend shopping for them, you should be able to make a few!

http://www.well-worn.com/2009/12/faux-real-luxe-snow-globes.html

[VirginiaMom]

My daughter collected snowglobes from the time she was small. She has some beautiful and rare ones purchased by loving friends and relatives and some cheaper ones she just liked. Now she's 27 and most of her snowglobes have lost at least a little water over the years even though they were lovingly cared for. Many are half empty and no longer attractive at all. My sister's collection also deteriorated and she had only special expensive ones. My younger daughter (age 7) also loves snowglobes, but we've learned our lesson and only buy the inexpensive ones for her.

[Amie Simmons]

I love the bunny! The terrifying snow globe's website comes with music. SCARY!

[Melissa Summers]

Ooh great find!

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Melissa Summers]

Heh. That's a downer. Oh well I guess we'll love them while theyre still lovely.

Sent from my iPhone with fat fingers on tiny keys.

[Xdm]

I can't believe the titanic didn't make the list.

[Traca]

The sperm one made me laugh so hard, I peed a little!

[ang]

World Market has some right now--on sale, too, I think. They're world landmarks--Taj Mahal, Eiffel Towers, Tower of Pisa, etc.

[Ashley, The Accidental Olympian]

I have to give you props (wow, did I just say that?) for finding such tasteful snow globes! Seriously adorable.

I say that because when I think 'snow globe collection', my mind immediately also assumes the collector is the sort of person who collects cats, dust bunnies, Precious Moments, and might also be featured on an upcoming episode of Hoarders.

[Jen14221]

I have two snowglobes from the movie Fargo. One is a scene where Marge is investigating the murder of the state trooper on the side of the highway, and the other one is the scene where Marge catches the one bad guy stuffing the other bad guy into the woodchipper. That one is super-cool, it comes complete with BLOODY SNOW when you shake it.

[Jessica]

Kohl's has them too (silver bases though), including one that you can put your own picture in....how about a Choppable snow globe?

[nicool]

I love the Saks globes. I've bought my hubby 3 globes representing the cities we've lived in (Denver CO, Austin TX, and Detroit MI). They are each very unique and specific to the city. ie, Austin has bats and music notes flying around instead of snow. I went to the Saks website and they show VERY few cities available even though they have them for practically every big city in the country... if you want one for a specific city, just call the saks in that city and they'll ship it to you. (I did it and it was seamless.)
BTW, I love your blog. Happy Holidays!!

[teeth whitener]

Its beautiful all the snow globes are stunning i have one snow globe at my home that was also very beautiful and my favorite also thanks.

[Susie]

My 10-year-old son collects snow globes and every year at Christmas, I attempt to find him a special one and they are ELUSIVE. I feel your pain. I have seen some truly scary stuff out there. These are gorgeous!

[korinthia]

Saddest snow globe story for us was last year when my daughter bought one at the Statue of Liberty and then we had to watch the security person at the airport drop it in the trash. Oh the tears!

[Carla McDonald]

I love your site! I collected owls, tasteful charming owls, when I received a rock with eyes glued on, I stopped. We bought two lovely snowglobes from Eddie Bauer one year, dancing bears, and flying Canada Geese. I heartbreakingly broke the geese, and have been searching for them. Last year, I found it on Ebay, snatched it up, and.....the lady broke it before she could ship it. I will continue to search. And good luck to you, in your search. There really are some nice ones out there, aren't there? I have tried to post a photo, but I'm not sure if it went through.