These decorations can be made in any size. For tiny versions, a clear inverted votive can be used to cover the molded figures. For larger versions, like ours, rose bowls, a mayonnaise jar, or even an inverted soda bottle (cut to size) works nicely.
Modeling clay (such as Crayola Model Magic)
Small paper party plates
White glitter or decorative paper for base (optional)
White craft paint (optional)
Craft glue (optional)
Clear glass or plastic container
Step 1
Start by molding the snowman shape out of modeling clay. Roll white modeling clay into three spheres--each one slightly smaller than the first--but do not stack them yet. To the smallest sphere, add the face, using tiny black specks for the eyes and mouth, and a rolled cone in orange for the nose. For the hat, roll a sphere in black clay and flatten it to create the base of the hat. Roll a tube of black modeling clay and cut it to create the top of the hat. Put the pieces together, and then add the hat to smallest sphere (the head). With black modeling clay, add buttons to the body pieces. Stack the body and head. Roll out a long snake of red and flatten with your fingers. This will be the scarf. Wrap it around the snowman's neck.
Step 2
To make a Christmas tree, roll brown modeling clay into a thick tube and cut off a short piece to make the tree trunk. Roll several green spheres, each one a bit smaller than the next and use your thumb to press down on each circle into a thick disk. Stack the disks, beginning with the largest and ending with the smallest. Roll tiny spheres in various colors to use as ornaments. Press them onto the tree. Press the tree and trunk together. To create a tree skirt, roll out a large sphere in red, and then flatten it out. Press the tree onto the skirt.
Step 3
Place the snowman or tree at the center of the small paper plate. It's a good idea to affix the clay shapes to the plate with more modeling clay or craft glue.
Step 4
To create a snowy environment for your snowman or tree, partially fill the plate with white glitter. Or, if you'd like, you can cut out a piece of decorative reflecting paper and glue it to the bottom of the plate.
Step 5
You can add snowflakes to the clear container by dabbing several dots of white paint all over the container and allowing it to dry.
Step 6
Roll four small spheres of modeling clay and press them onto the edge of the container--to help prevent the container from slipping around on the plate--then lower the glass container over the snowman or tree.
