I know that people like receiving gift cards for the holidays, but I feel that they can be a little impersonal. There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting a gift card in an envelope for someone, but if I have the time, I like to make them a little extra special. This DIY Snow Globe takes about 10 minutes to put together, the longest part is waiting for the glue to dry. When Ava gave this gift to her teacher, she said that our snow globe was the cutest thing that she had ever seen.
You only need a few things to make this project and I would bet that you already have them around your home. The most important being a jar. I used a Mason jar, it was a little too large for this project, but it worked just fine. A pickle jar, spaghetti sauce jar,whatever you have around. Just make sure that you can see through it, it is very clean, and the top screws on really well. You do not want to give a leaky snow globe. You can also use whatever you would like for an embellishment. I had these cute little mercury glass ornaments, but anything Christmasy (and that can get wet) would work.
Here is what you need:
a jar of some sort
a gift card
hot glue gun
glitter
embellishments
water
ribbon
Glue a strip on the bottom of your jar. Stand the gift card up. Let dry completely. You can also glue your embellishments down as well. (After I glued them down, I decided that I wanted some of the ornaments to float, it took up some of the negative space. Hot glue comes right off, so you can play with it until you get it exactly the way you want.
Add some glitter to the bottom of your jar.
Fill the jar with water.
See how pretty and shimmery the glitter is? I love glitter.
Put the top on your snow globe and add a ribbon around the bottom. That was easy wasn’t it?
Idea source: One Charming Party
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Julia @ The Frugal Find - If only this worked with Restaurant.com or Groupon certificates!
I think they’d get a little too wet though….
Dangler - Omg this is ADORABLE! Obvi the glitter is my fave part, but what a cute idea! I would hate to take it apart to use the gift card! Lol!
Lorena Mora - Love this idea, so creative. My only question, doesn’t it damage the gift card?
Bree - No, it does not damage the gift card. The girls at One Charming Party tried using the card a week later and it worked just fine. I would not keep it in there for much longer than that though.
Angie - Bree I LOVE this idea! Oh heavens. I’m already loving being a “reader”
xoxo
PS D wanted to make daddy a snow globe for Christmas. I see a project for us this week
Arden Prucha - I saw this yesterday and used your GREAT idea… created one snow-globe with g.cards and the other was just filled with stuff – because the company had a certificate and not a card.
Thanks so much for your inspiration and creative mind!
Shannon - What a fantastic idea — you can do this to make something and not just to hold a gift card too! This could be a great winter project or one for next year!
Marci@OvercomingBusy - Could that be a cuter gift?!! I hate giving gift cards just because I want the gift to be more creative. I’m giving more next year
Kelsey Anderson - Such a cute idea! I am going to do this for my kids teachers next year! TFS!
amy - LOVE!
A Creative Gift(card) » Arden Prucha Photography - [...] got this idea from The Creative Mama… a blog I subscribe [...]
Ginger - This is super easy with babyfood jars, if you can get the lid on tight. You could go to a hobby store and buy little figures and people too!
Karen Moler - you could use fishing line to tie the ornaments to the lid at different lengths so they float on multiple levels
celine - This is such a creative idea!!! I guess you can only do this with the gift cards that are plastic! And not paper gift certificates. I will be more inclined to give gift cards this year for christmas! The presentation makes it so much more special!
celine - This is such a creative idea!!! I guess you can only do this with the gift cards that are plastic! And not paper gift certificates. I will be more inclined to give gift cards this year for christmas! The presentation makes it so much more special!
Six of my favorite new uses for mason jars | Central Valley Moms - [...] adorable way to upcycle a plain glass mason jar. I love the way she used the twine!Make giving a gift card more personal with a snow globe.Such a cute time capsule idea!If I could keep a plant alive for more than a week, [...]
CHRISTMAS IN JULY: THINKING AHEAD » 7th House on the Left - [...] be amazed at the amount of high-quality, awesome projects you’ll find – like the Gift Card Snow Globe above. So fun and clever! For more of my “pinned” DIY projects, visit my board [...]
Suzzie - this is one of the cutest ideas I have ever seen! Love it!
Stacey Rapp - Question: does this damage the gift card in anyway?
Home Is Where the Art Is » Blog Archive » From the Teacher’s Desk - [...] (this is a super cute idea from The Creative Mama) [...]
Allison Sullivan - This is seriously one of the best things I have ever seen. What a great presentation. Much better than the standard envelope!
Red Boots - If you glue the gift card to the lid then how do you remove the gift card so you can actually use it in the store?
Bree Grossman Hester - hot glue comes off easily. It just peels away.
Lisa - Do you have to glue down the GC, or could you just let it float in the water? Love this idea… thanks for sharing!
Xxstarstruckedxx - you could laminate them
Sparrows Grace - precious!
kate - Love this! Just wanted to let you know that I’m including it in my post “Top 10 Gifts in Jars” today at http://www.cheapcraftymama.com. Feel free to stop by and grab a button or link for your page to show that you are featured! Thanks!
Charissa Pomrehn - This is so cool! I write a blog about gift wrapping and have never seen anything like this – thanks for sharing your creativity!!
Bbew417 - will this keep for a long time if you want to keep the snow globe? Maybe not putting a gift card in?
Lunedì 14 Novembre 2011 | Mamma Felice - [...] sguardo a Natale? Le palle di neve faidate: magiche, luccicose, ma anche riciclose. Su The creative mama il tutorial per realizzarle in [...]
Angela Nicolosi - I cannot wait to do this!
http://www.simplysimpleang.blogspot.com
Britnieann - Found you on pinterest, this is one of the COOLEST things I have ever seen! I can’t WAIT to make one! Thank you so much!
{ Holiday 2011 … let the obsessive planning begin! } » In the Moment | Valerie Koop - [...] Give a gift card like this. Make it happen via here. [...]
Annsaylor - very cute!
Jody - Does the water hurt the gift card at all?
Anonymous - No it does not, but I would not leave it in there for more than a few weeks.
Stacey, Bree and Stephanie
The Creative Mama
http://www.thecreativemama.com
Khunton09 - I tried making these and as soon as the water connected with the glued objects it came un-done. Any advice of why it did that or should i try a different glue?
Lconrad - So the gift card is soaking in water? That doesn’t hurt anything?
Anonymous - I let mine dry completely, and just used hot glue. A few of my ornaments floated, but I liked how it looked, so I left it alone.
Stacey, Bree and Stephanie
The Creative Mama
http://www.thecreativemama.com
Christmas Paper Crafts and Gifts - {TONS of ideas} - [...] several different pattern papers. They were gorgeous and very inexpensive but impressive gifts! Creative Gift Card Presentation Paper Ball Ornament Christmas Crackers Christmas Scene Wall Mounted Christmas Tree Hope this [...]
Christmas Tutorial Roundup » Every Great Day - [...] DIY Snowglobe Gift Cards |The Creative Mama| I used a mixture of white tinsel glitter and glitter. [...]
Jodi T. - I love, love, love this! Had to share on my blog at http://makesmamasmile.blogspot.com/2011/12/delightful-december-day-5-gift-wrap.html
Thank you!! – Jodi
Jaymie - Fabulous! I have SO many baby food jars I can use to make mini-gifts ‘from the baby’. Thank you for the idea!!!
Mbisharat32 - Bree!!! I miss you!! I saw this picture on pintrest and totally knew it was your child lol I Miss you guys!!!
Love Mackenzie!!
P.s. we miss you here in cali!!
Amanda - does this in anyway destroy the gift card?
Anonymous - Not that I know of, but I would not keep it in there for too long.
Good Girl Gone Green - WOW, I love this idea! Thank you so much for sharing!
15 Day Until Christmas: Wrap Those Gifts! « thelifeoflulubelle - [...] And this is the best idea ever for a gift card! [...]
Anjenic Gibson - Wow I love this!
Sprucing Up Gift Certificates | Rena Tom / retail strategy, trends and inspiration for creative businesses - [...] colourful paper, confetti or other happy, tactile materials. Beautiful and so simple. images via the creative mama and martha [...]
Mary - Love this idea! Thank you.
Rmasvr6 - love this idea! my 6 yr old and I are going to make these this weekend as gifts for her teacher and bus driver. I just love the idea!!
Saturday Shuffle | A Nervous Tic Motion - [...] a cool idea for packaging gift cards!!! I think I’m going to try this. I’ll let you all know if it works [...]
Aimee - LOVE this idea. I just wish I saw it two days ago before I gifted my sister in law!! This would have been perfect and I’m definitely doing it next year.
Inspire Me Heather - What a great idea putting the gift card right in there, it looks so cute too! I’ve got this linked to my snow globes post as well today, nice job!
Last-Minute Gifts — The Titus 2 Homemaker - [...] a gift card, but present it in a fun way. I’ve seen gift cards packaged as/in snow globes, magazine-page envelopes, other paper envelopes, cloth envelopes, a faux Frappucino, monster [...]
Aahdreyfus - Love this so much!! I used pickle jars but they leaked no matter how tight I did the lid…so I switched to Ball jars for making jam because they have a seal on the lid…I didnt notice that in the pictures until my pickle jars leaked.
Cherie - What a great idea! I’m so doing this from now on!
http://eyeblinkfashion.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/come-all-carry-all/
- Cherie
Elizabeth - Kind of a silly question, but can gift cards get wet?!
Elizabeth - sorry ignore that last question!
Wellness Wednesday: Christmas Countdown! « Women's Southern California Golf Association Blog - [...] someone a gift card for Christmas but want to wrap it in a creative way? Try a DIY (Do-it-yourself) gift card snow globe! It’s easy and [...]
Juliegtutoring - YAY this just made Christmas even better!!! Thank you!!!!
Jessica - I like this but is the bar code still gonna scan ok if its sits in water for long.
Anonymous - Don’t let it it in there for a long time. It is presentation, not storage.
Stubbornitalian3 - Does it matter what kind of glitter you use? Mine is sticking to my gift card. Do u think it’s because I put tape on the gift card?
Anonymous - I don’t think so, but if it is sticking to the tape then I think is the culprit.
Carissa Bonham - Love this project! So clever and a great way to make giving a gift card still handmade and awesome. I featured you on my blog round up of last minute gift ideas here: http://www.creativecarissa.com/2011/12/last-minute-crafty-christmas-gifts.html
Come check out the post ans grab a button if you’d like.
Cheers!
From Outside The Frame | A Dusty Frame - [...] Cute idea for a gift card [...]
Betty_blue_eyes - For everyone asking if the gift card will still work…my friend literally froze her credit cards in a block of ice for a few months and they still worked when they came out. I know it’s not exactly the same thing but as long as you’re using plastic not paper there shouldn’t be an issue.
Link Bytes 12.23.11 | SRSLYLIZ.COM - [...] 01// A brilliant way to "wrap" boring gift cards. [...]
Gift Card Holder Craft Idea | Life's Little Slices - [...] original idea came from thecreativemama.com ) Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailStumbleUponLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. This [...]
Angela - Love it!
Thank you so much for sharing
SusanElla - So I am just wondering how you open it to get the gift card out? The glue isn’t really sealing it?Thinking if you use iTunes card and some others, you can just use the giftcard# and not have to remove it.
Susan Wright - Such a cute idea. I am on a snowglobe theme right now (cake, book, movie) so making this gift card is a must. Thanks for sharing your idea. I can’t wait to check out the rest of your blog!
Ally - Could I possibly laminate the gift card to let it last a bit longer??
Anonymous - I am not sure. I don’t see why you would have to do anything.
mason jar craze « a new journey - [...] 2, 3, 4, 5 Share this:TwitterFacebookTumblrLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. ← Previous [...]
Mademoiselle Rara - How the card does not blur in water ?! I tried this for Christmas and it ruined all my gift cards…
Jenny Muehlenkamp Pederson - to help keep the card dry place in a baseball card holder. you can buy a box of 12 at your local hobby shop.
1234math1234 - i would love to do this for a birthday gift. do you have any ideas what else i could put in the jar besides ornaments? something birthday related?
Clambert - Hot glue peels right off. Just open the jar and remove.
Toni - I love this! You’re right – it adds a personal touch. Not opting for just the easy envelope. Thanks!!
limefish studio - your wonderful tutorial was featured in the #11 spot on my 2012 Ultimate DIY Gift Guide (101 projects & recipes) http://limefishstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-ultimate-diy-gift-guide.html
limefish studio - oops i meant #13
Patty - Love this additional idea.
Melody Ocana Lewis - I believe that even if the card is not able to be scanned, the merchant should still be able to enter the bar code number into their register.
Nancy - why would she freeze gift cards? I would use them ASAP
Deb Sanger Stafford - LOVE this idea!
Chrissy Helmer - Love it so doing this
DIY Roundup: 25 DIY Gift Ideas | The Writing on the Wall - [...] adornments to the bottom of the lid, and fill with water and glitter!Get the full tutorial from The Creative Mama. Sweater PillowDoes your child have a sweater they’ve [...]
Andrea Owen - Anyone else have a problem with the embellishments rusting?
Katrina - i’ve tried this with three different jars and they ALL leak!!! how do you prevent leaks?!
thecreativemama - I have never had any leak… sorry I can’t be more helpful!
te - froze credit cards
Vixy - You dont glue the jar shut. You just glue the side of the card to the inside of the lid. Hot glue will come off fairly easily, so if you want to get it out, you just turn the jar so the lid is right side up and then you unscrew the lid, take it off and peel the card off the glue, then you screw the lid back on tightly and turn it over again so you have the rest of the globe there. I don’t see why people are so confused about it.
VIxy - It could be that your card has static electricity and is causing the glitter to stick to your card. Much like plastic wrap does when you pull it off dvds or anything like that.
Vixy - Most of the time they can. Their plastic. If your credit cards can get wet then why can’t gift cards. They usually are made out of the same stuff.
Vixy - Freezing Credit cards are an awesome way to make it so you don’t use them. And you should really make sure your reading all the words in people’s comments. She said credit cards not gift cards.
Gin & Jacqie Blog » DIY Wednesday: Snow globes - [...] more delicately planned DIYs for snow globes out there, and here are three of our favorite ones: Creative Mama’s Gift Card Snow Globe, Our Best Bites’ Photograph Snow Globes, and Bakerella’s Coca-cola Cupcake Snow Globes. [...]
mason jar craze | a new journey - [...] 2, 3, 4, [...]
Creative Ways to Give Teachers a Gift Card | Happy Home Fairy - [...] You can make a Gift Card Snow Globe (it’s quite easy!) at The Creative Mama. [...]