Who says snow globes are just for the holidays? Not us. We’ve found lots of collectibles to brighten the Christmas season, along with others that commemorate special events, and plenty more that are musical, magical, and fun. Perfect as gifts, these are our picks for the best snow globes.
Not all snow globes are genuine works of art, but when the “painter of light” takes on the task of creating one that’s truly special, it will make a meaningful gift that will be enjoyed every Christmas for years to come. The beautiful and collectible Thomas Kinkade Christmas snow globe features a sweet holiday train, commandeered by playful snowmen.
Traveling along a snowy route, the engineer snowman directs the steam engine and waves to passersby, while two more decorate a Christmas tree in the caboose. The center car features a snow globe that inside of which lays a festive holiday scene complete with a Victorian home, people carrying gifts, and children playing with delight.
This stunning piece is carefully cast, handpainted and decorated, and all three cars light up. Each train car also features a tiny scene created by the artist in his signature style. The piece also plays a medley of eight different holiday tunes to make it the perfect centerpiece of your Christmas decor.
Perfect for fans of Winnie the Pooh, the For the Love of Hunny snow globe looks an awful lot like “a bear wedged in great tightness” as Pooh himself would say. Pooh is happily indulging in lots and lots of honey, as the gold flakes glitter down around him. This clever globe sits on a tree stump base, with that silly old bear half inside and half out. On top sits a perky little bumblebee watching all the goings on down below.
There’s no question about the fact that Christmas is a most magical time, so why not infuse another bit of magic into the season with this Harry Potter glitter globe that features the movie characters and more. Inside the glass globe, a sculptural recreation of the HOGWARTS™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry lights up with LEDs in each window, all amidst a swirl of colorful glitter.
On the front, an image of the movie’s main stars also lights up, while a little red train circles the base, going in and out of a tunnel, but always in constant motion. This piece was handpainted in careful detail to give it an extraordinary look. This snow globe is in limited supply, so you’ll want to order it sooner than later.
Every child in the house who loves Christmas, no matter their age, couldn’t help but get excited catching sight of this vivid Santa-themed snow globe. Santa’s at the helm of an ornately decorated steam engine, holding a lantern to help light his way. Tiny garlands and wreaths decorate the train, along with holiday scenes on each side. This little piece is small and easy to hold in a child’s hand so they can watch the snow swirl around the jolly old elf. This little snow globe plays the tune We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
For a much larger piece, the Thomas Kinkade Santa Claus Tabletop Crystal Figurine stands at nearly a foot tall and features the snow globe in place of Santa’s belly. Inside, ice skaters enjoy a frozen pond while outside Santa and his reindeer grace the base.
Perhaps one of the most iconic of all German Christmas decorations is the nutcracker. Developed in the early 17th century, these clever soldiers have become mainstays in most homes during the holiday season. This cute snow globe features combination of them – royalty inside the snow globe and soldiers surrounding the outside, with crests and design that looks straight out of the Black Forest.
Handpainted in exacting detail, this piece has a wind-up music box that plays Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Another nutcracker themed snow globe plays the famous Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.
This colorful nutcracker snow globe depicts the famous party scene from the musical when Fritz and Clara gather around the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer, as he presents his special gift.
Finding unique and special baby shower gifts for friends and family can sometimes seem like a challenge. After all, just how many onesies and receiving blankets do they need? This sweet nursery snow globe is an overload of cuteness, and the ideal gift idea if you don’t know the baby’s gender. The animal-filled Noah’s Ark has pairs of giraffes, tigers, birds and elephants atop the wooden ship, that’s floating on a sea of swirling waves. A gentle shake activates the iridescent glitter inside. It plays the perfect lullaby, Jesus Loves Me, and the neutral base reads “Overflowing with Love.”
Whether you fell in love with penguins from movies like Happy Feet or the documentary, March of the Penguins, there’s no getting around our fascination with these odd and lovable birds. This penguin snow globe features five adults and a bitty baby bird, all happily enjoying the snowfall inside this globe. The globe sits on top of a resin base finished like elegant dark wood, and would look lovely on a mantle or bookshelf at any time of year. When wound it plays the old holiday favorite, Let it Snow.
Don’t you love snow globes that deliver a vintage look and feel to your holiday decor? This clever lantern snow globe does just that with a fixture that looks like weathered brass. Inside the glass globe, a happy little snowman family looks festive in hats and coats while the glittery snow swirls around them. LED lights brighten the scene for a warm winter look.
While the lantern is cute, if you prefer a snow globe with a Santa train, it’s available too. Another clever option is this snow globe with Santa in a quaint red phone booth. Looks just like the picture of Christmas in London in our minds.
As we’ve said before, snow globes aren’t just for Christmas anymore, and this beautiful hummingbird snow globe is the perfect example of one we’d want to play with every day of the year. The gorgeously jeweled green and gold wings are complemented by the bird’s brilliant blue head. It is delicately perched on a leafy branch just ready to dive into a beautiful pink blossom and when shaken becomes enveloped in a veil if iridescent glitter snow.
The base of this snow globe is especially cool because you can have it engraved with the sentiment of your choice. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, the small plaque on the unique silver-tone base allows for up to 40 characters for your thought, and you also get a variety of font options to choose from.
People are crazy about turtles, sea turtles in particular. No need to speculate why. These amazing animals symbolize good health and long life. Plus they’re just pretty darned majestic! If you’re a turtle lover or you’re trying to find the perfect gift for one, this marine life snow globe is a wonderful gift idea. The beautiful glitter filled globe features a sea turtle, kelp, and coral.
The three dimensional base on this piece is really dynamic with a swimming sea turtle, plus starfish, snails, sea plants and more. Turtle gifts are no longer a challenge when you can delight with a beautiful piece like this.
Cardinals have long been synonymous with Christmas, but for more than their bright color against a dreary landscape. They also have a close tie to Christianity, per this article by Donna Hatch. Whether you love these winter birds for their color or their spiritual connection, this lovely snow globe delivers them along with a playful little chickadee, another winter bird that brightens the day.
Atop this snow globe sits a second red cardinal, and the resin base features a realistic wood finish. This piece is musical as well as beautiful. Ithe wind-up music box plays Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Another beautiful snow globe features a snowy owl – it also plays a holiday tune, Let it Snow.
The Christmas elf has become almost as ubiquitous to the holiday season as Santa. Whether it’s because of the wildly popular Elf on a Shelf franchise or simply because who doesn’t love little toy-making people in striped tights? This clever Precious Moments snow globe is the third in their elf series. The cutie inside is carrying a tall stack of wrapped gifts through a snowfall of iridescent glitter.
The base of this snow globe is painted with loads of Christmas gifts all the way round. A wind-up music box plays The 12 Days of Christmas. Precious Moments also has a Santa series of snow globes and ornaments. The May Your Every Wish Come True Santa Snow Globe is the 10 edition in that series. While Precious Moments doesn’t have a cute little kid series specifically, we think this Christmas is On Its Way Red Truck Snow Globe would be a great way to kick it off.
The most recent in a decade-long collection from Precious Moments, the 10th Annual Snowman snow globe features our main man with his trusty sled and forest friends sitting atop a unique milk pail base. Inspired by the outdoors and all the beauty to be found in nature, the cute base reads “May your holidays be filled with snowy hills and winter thrills.” It winds up to play the tune “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
Reed & Barton has an illustrious history that goes back to 1824 as a company of master craftsmen making all kinds of silver and silver-plated products. If you’re looking for a snow globe that adds that kind of fine craftsmanship, this beautiful snowman snow globe is bound to strike your fancy. It features the cheeriest little snowman, decked out in his top hat and winter scarf with a sleigh and Christmas tree.
It’s the base of this piece that’s the attention grabber though. The silver-plated design has been oxidized just enough to add depth of detail. In the quintessential winter scene, little birds on branches and pine boughs and snowflakes give it a festive feel.
The Reed & Barton Northpole Snow Globe features elegant reindeer in the forest, but because of the short supply, you’ll want to order it lightning fast. The Nativity Snow Globe is another beautiful option with Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the manger up top, and the wise men traveling to Bethlehem on the base.
If you’re shopping for a snow globe as a gift for someone special, Reed & Barton’s Northpole Bound Christmas snow globe is a real beauty. A silver doe and buck stand in a forest of snow-covered white trees, and when you gently shake the globe, the snow swirls around them. On the back, as an added surprise, a tiny silver bunny peeks out from the trees.
This beautiful collector’s piece is made with an antiqued silver plate base that features bunnies and deer in snowy scenes and is just as beautiful as the scene inside the glass globe. When wound, it plays a lovely version of Silent Night.
For lovers of Tim Burton, or particularly his weird and wonderful flick Nightmare Before Christmas, this snow globe will bring back all their fondest memories of the film and or the book, also written and illustrated by Tim Burton. This snow globe features Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved Pumpkin King, and Sally, his faithful deuteragonist in beautiful detail with translucent glitter snow.
Are you shopping for the perfect gift for the bird watcher on your list? This snow globe is a lovely way to honor both their pastime and their passion. Inside the globe, four favorite winter birds perch on a Christmas wreath – a Blue Jay, two Goldfinches and a brilliant red Cardinal. The beautifully detailed base has Blue Jays and Cardinals on evergreen and aspen trees. This musical snow globe plays Walking in a Winter Wonderland, which adds another magical element to this gift.
Another lovely cardinal display is in this snow globe that features the beautiful red bird snuggled amidst pine boughs and holly berries.
For collectors of Santa themed snow globes, this pretty piece is a definite must-have. Santa in his sleigh flies over the top of a wintery village, while a tiny train moves around the outskirts. This musical snow globe plays Jingle Bell Rock while the train rotates. The globe’s base features a lovely little scene of a horse-drawn sleigh driving down a wintery country road. At 6.5 inches high, it’s still small enough for little hands to shake and enjoy – carefully, of course, but the details make it equally appealing for grown-ups.
Another cute Santa snow globe features the jolly old elf in his sleigh outside a quaint cottage. The base features an adorable gift-filled holiday train which rotates as the music box plays Here Comes Santa Claus.
Little girls and unicorns seem to go hand in hand. They’re almost universally nuts about the mythical horned beast. If you’re shopping for a fanciful little gift for the girl on your list, this light-up unicorn snow globe is one of our favorites. The prancy pony stands in front of a half circle moon, and when it lights up, the sky fills with glitter and changing colors. Perfect for a baby’s room too, this musical snow globe plays Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and has those same words on the base that resembles a decorated cake. Simply switch it on and watch the magical transformation.
There are so many unicorn snow globes to choose from. The Rainbow Sky snow globe is color changing as well, while this magical unicorn sets on a base of cotton candy. It plays multiple musical tunes.
If you’re that person who loves to change out their decor from season to season, we think we’ve found the perfect set of snow globes for you. Each mini snow globe in the set stands just 2.25 inches tall and stands on a simple square black resin base. They each feature a tree in one of the seasons, with bright blossoms, waning leaves, and of course, bare snow-covered winter branches. These are great for the minimalist who loves mid century modern decor. Inside each globe, there are coordinating color flakes to match the season as well.
Are your holiday decorations heavenly this year? If so, this lovely angel strumming her mandolin would be a fitting addition to your holiday home. Inside the glass globe, you’ll appreciate how she’s been carefully sculpted and painted in an elegant renaissance style. The base of this water globe is made of cast resin with a gorgeous faux wood finish that looks just like a fine carving. It plays the hymn Angels We Have Heard on High.
The Silver and Gold Revolving Angel water globe plays the same tune, however the angel inside is playing a harp, and the base is incredibly ornate with flowers, leaves, and golden instruments and music notes.
Do you know someone who is enamored with the fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? It’s become an even more entrenched part of growing up since Disney released the classic animated film in 1938. (Can you even believe it’s been that long ago?) This beautifully made snow globe features Snow White and Prince Charming happily dancing in a field of wildflowers. A little shake and they’ll be surrounded by sparkling glitter.
The faux wood base is extraordinarily detailed. With a simple flip of a switch, Doc, Dopey, Sneezy, Sleepy, Grumpy, Bashful, and Happy spin around the globe on a rotating base, while music from the movie plays. This is a perfect gift for someone who loves Disney collectibles.
Have you been searching for the perfect gifts for grandma? She would absolutely love this personalized photo snow globe for Christmas or any other special occasion. Your mom and dad would love it too. This piece is a creative new way to showcase and share your favorite family portrait with loved ones. Inside the globe, an ornate cathedral frame holds the photo of your choice.
The silver base has a retro cool look about it and features an engravable plaque that gives you up to 90 characters for your custom message. With a quick wind up, the music mechanism inside plays Greensleeves. If you’re looking to create a memory of a loved one who has passed, the Loving Memory snow globe allows for that. It features a much more ornate hexagon base and plays Amazing Grace.
Mickey, Minnie, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Goofy, Daffy, Cinderalla, and the whole Disney gang are out to wish you a merry Christmas in this playful snow globe. As the snow flies over the snow-covered Magic Kingdom inside, some of your favorite Disney characters are inside the globe while the base is surrounded by other sculptural figures outside.
With the flip of the switch, music plays while Cinderella, Ariel and Flounder, Belle, Jasmine and Aladdin, Snow White and Dopey – rotate outside. At 7 1/4 inches tall, this piece is about nine inches in diameter and will mesmerize every Disney fan in your family.
When whimsey is the name of the game, it would be pretty hard to get a cuter snow globe than this one. Two Christmas kittens in Santa hats are snuggled together so tight you can almost hear them purring. Snowflakes flutter around them when you gently shake the piece. The base is literally fantastical, with Christmas cats of every color in vivid detail. This musical snow globe plays We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
Who says snow globes are only about winter and Christmas? Not us. In fact, we think they are timeless, especially when they commemorate a special date in your life like an anniversary. This snow globe has a lovely scene with a stylish sculpted heart that reads “Happy Anniversary.” Beneath the heart, are beautiful red roses and greenery.
The iridescent glitter-filled globe sits atop a white base with brushed silver accents. On the front, a brushed silver engravable plaque can be customized with your special anniversary greeting. Wind it up and it plays The Anniversary Song. How sweet.
If you’ve been a bit of a procrastinator, or you’re shopping for something a little different, we’ve got plenty of suggestions for last minute anniversary gifts.
If you love snow globes that offer nearly breathtaking detail, you’re going to want this gorgeous piece by Thomas Kinkade. This snow globe features a two tiered Victorian village all decked out in holiday style. The top tier inside the snow globe creates the wintery scene of a lovely illuminated home. As a horse-drawn carriage passes by, a little boy is waving as he stands in the front yard next to his snowman.
On the bottom tier, which is on the exterior of the snow globe, stands a quaint village filled with warmly lit buildings, people celebrating, and enjoying the season. This piece is mesmerizing because there is so much to look at. Handcrafted and hand-painted, it plays eight beloved holiday songs. Standing seven inches tall, it will be a favorite for your holiday home.
Every train aficionado loves miniatures, especially tiny trains that move. That’s why we’re sure they’d love this pretty snow globe that features an idyllic snowy winter village all decked out for Christmas with a beautiful tree. At the base, a tiny red train stocked with gifts galore runs on tracks through little tunnels that open up on the front and back. A gentle shake is all it takes to make the fluffy little snowflakes fall.
The base is made to look like carved wood with ornate details around the top and bottom. It features a built-in mechanical music play that chimes out Silver Bells when you wind it.
If you’re looking for a magical way to add light and beautiful ambiance to your holiday table, these gorgeous snow globe candlesticks by Thomas Kinkade will be a great conversation starter. Each candle holder features a real glass snowglobe that showcases a hand-cast, hand-painted miniature Victorian house sculpture inspired by Thomas Kinkade’s holiday imagery. The snowy scenes are so carefully detailed you’ll be absolutely amazed.
They come with beautiful sparkling flameless taper candles so you’ll be worry-free about fire danger as well as wax damage to the lovely candlesticks themselves. Better yet, the snow globes also illuminate to add even more sparkle and shine to your Christmas gathering. If you’re serving dinner at a long table, or you want to coordinate with flameless candles on the mantel, the Bright Village Candlesticks would go perfectly.
If there’s one time you know for sure that Charlie Brown was happy, it was when he and the gang sang carols around their tiny Christmas tree. This snow globe evokes that same feeling with Charlie decorating a tree with bare branches, while Snoopy and Woodstock sitting lovingly at his feet. The base of this piece is decorated with sweet Peanuts Christmas scenes, and it features a wind up music box that plays O Christmas Tree.
We also love this tiny Snoopy snow globe that features our favorite pooch contemplating the state of the world atop his dog house decorated up for the holidays. The price and the size make it a sweet little gift for a kid on your Christmas list.
When it comes to cute, there’s hardly anything cuter than that vision of the Grinch when he’s returning all the gifts to Whoville, and that scene is just what’s inside this adorable snow globe. Accompanied by his dog Max, the grinch is surrounded by presents, and the base of this snow globe is a beautifully detailed sleigh with tiny metallic hanging lights around it.
If you happen to love Grinch decor, you’ll find there are an unbelievable number of items, from shower curtains and doormats to dishtowels and cookie jars.
Your kids will love this clever snow globe, and you might need to get one for each of their rooms as a way to get them to relax and fall asleep during all the excitement of the Christmas season. The sparkly snowman’s chubby belly lights up with a color-changing LED, and when turned on the silver glitter inside begins to swirl around – no shaking needed. And you’ll love that there are no cords to trip on because this snow globe uses just three AAA batteries and has an on-off switch on the bottom.
They’d also likely love this 13 inch tall snow globe featuring three piled-up snowmen, each with glittering color-changing bellies.
Christmas classics ring out amidst a snowy winter village with this pretty snow globe that features a sweet scene with carolers inside, and a base that’s intricately printed with beautiful snowy scenes of old victorian homes at the holidays. When switched on, this snow globe stays lighted for up to six hours and then automatically shuts off, preserving battery life.
The lights inside cause the glittery snow to sparkle golden all throughout the scene adding to the presence of this pretty piece of holiday decor. A decorative finial at the top of the globe makes it look and seem all that much more magical.
One think that will catch your eye about this festive musical snow globe is the antiqued brass-tone Christmas tree that holds the actual snow globe in place. With pieced scrollwork boughs, the tree is topped by a sparkling lighted star! Inside the snow globe a magical Christmas Eve scene unfolds with Santa and his sleigh pulled by reindeer flying over a sweet village that features tiny homes as well as an old quaint church surrounded by snowy trees.
This snow globe features eight favorite holiday songs, and the globe lights up to illuminate the snow as well as the star on the treetop. This also features a timer that will automatically turn on the music and lights for six hours, then shut off for 18 hours, and then turn back on for six hours, alleviating any need for you to mess with it during the busy holiday season.
This one-of-a-kind snow globe features a classic winter scene inside with a bright red vintage truck hauling a load of Christmas trees. To make the theme even more real, this snow globe plays the holiday classic “O Christmas Tree” on a loop.
The glass globe dome sits atop a gorgeous ivory porcelain base that has been embellished with beautiful gold rims and hand-painted golden snowflakes. If you love the old red truck theme, you can also get a Lenox red truck holiday centerpiece that has the same feel and a big Christmas tree in the bed.
Snow globes are a perfect way to decorate for the holidays and they make wonderful gifts as well. We've found the best that commemorate Christmas and other special occasions throughout the year.
