Mason Jar Snowman For Christmas Decor or Gifts

Make a mason jar snowman using simple craft store supplies! This is a perfect Christmas project for a beginner; great for gifts or decor.

Skills Required: Beginner. It helps to have a bit of experience with Mod Podge since you’re going to be using tissue paper and it can wrinkle. Having said that, newbies can do this project if they follow the instructions closely.

This year I’m embracing a trend fully that has been around for ages . . . mason jar Christmas crafts. There’s just something about mason jars that makes them conducive to crafting. I recently did a Santa mason jar, and I love the way it turned out!

It might be the smooth surface or the compact size, but they are perfect for beginning crafters who want to make Christmas decor. They’re great for giving as handmade gifts . . . especially when you add candy or other edible goods.

But what I really love about mason jars is their innate ability to be transformed into practically anything, including a snowman! And that’s exactly what I did with a mason jar. I turned a simple glass vessel into Frosty the mason jar snowman. Didn’t he turn out so cute?

Snowman Jars

You’re going to complete this project in five simple steps: cut the tissue paper, apply it to the jar with Mod Podge, make and add the scarf, add the buttons and face, then finish with the hat.

Before you jump into the craft, I want to mention something you should know about Mod Podge and tissue paper. It’s kind of difficult to use decoupage medium and tissue paper without wrinkles, which is why you’ll cut the tissue into squares.

While this doesn’t completely eliminate wrinkles, it helps diminish them. And if you do get wrinkles in your project? Embrace them. It doesn’t take away from the finished project – trust me.

Learn how to make this cute mason jar snowman below!

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Gather These Supplies

• Mason jar
• White tissue paper
• Mod Podge Satin (or Gloss, Matte)
• Acrylic paint – black
• Black felt or craft foam
• Orange felt or craft foam
• Bandana or fabric for scarf – pattern of your choice
• Black buttons – two small, two large
• Craft glue
• Scissors
• Craft knife

Notes about this project:

• Before you begin, you’ll want to clean the mason jar. Use mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol and let dry. This removes the oils so everything sticks better.
• I used orange and black craft foam because that’s what I had on hand, but you can use felt. Or even cardstock.
• I made Frosty’s scarf out of a buffalo plaid bandana I had in my stash. You could use felt, fabric (think scraps or a sock without a pair), or even knit a small scarf if you are so inclined. Use what’s in your stash!

Cut the Tissue Paper

Cut a piece of white tissue into several squares using the scissors. You’re going to apply this to the mason jar so make sure the pieces aren’t too big (you want them manageable, especially if kids help you with this project).

Apply with Mod Podge

Working one section at a time, apply a layer of Mod Podge to the mason jar. Just add a medium layer.

Place tissue paper down into the Mod Podge, then smooth over the top with your brush. You’re going to continue doing this until the entire jar is covered.

Be careful not to brush too hard or too many times over the tissue paper. As the Mod Podge saturates the tissue, it will make it wet and easier to tear, so be careful.

Cover the entire mason jar and let dry completely.

Make the Scarf

I dug through my stash to find something to make my mason jar snowman a scarf when boom! I discovered a bandana in buffalo plaid that never got used (why did I buy it in the first place?).

My bandana was 21″ square, so I cut a 2″ strip off of one end.

Fold this 2″ piece in half and smooth with your fingers. If it’s not cooperating, you can also iron it to make the scarf flat.

Tack the scarf to itself to keep it folded with some craft glue. Let dry.

Wrap the buffalo plaid “scarf” around your mason jar snowman as shown. Use the craft glue to tack the bottom pieces of the scarf to the jar. You might need to hold for several seconds until it stays. Let dry.

Add the Buttons and Face

Once the scarf is in place, you’ll know where your face should go as well as Frosty’s buttons on the front. Glue the larger buttons down with craft glue.

Add the smaller buttons to the front top as eyes. Let dry.

This is how my Frosty mason jar is shaping up! Did you notice how the tissue paper became kind of transparent with the Mod Podge? This will be nice for turning into a lantern!

Cut a nose out of craft foam or felt. Glue down and let dry.

The end of a paintbrush makes the best dots! Use your paintbrush end and black acrylic paint to make dots for the mouth on the face. It helps to start in the middle and work outwards so everything is properly placed.

Make the Hat

You’re actually only going to make the brim of the hat if your mason jar has a lid! If you find you have a gold or silver ringed mason jar, you can paint it with black acrylic paint. Luckily, mine was kind of dark silver-y so the black craft foam went well.

I traced an item from the kitchen that was slightly larger than the mason jar lid to use as a hat brim. Cut out.

Trace the lid onto the circle you just made, and cut out.

Now . . . get ready for it . . . this is hard. You’re going to slip the brim you just made over the rim of the jar and screw the cap down. Did you hurt your wrist from the difficulty?

After you do this? Your mason jar snowman is ready for his holiday season debut! I added LED tea lights to mine and look how he glows!

You could also use real tealights, but you will have to keep the jar lid off and not leave unattended. Of course, you can also use this for gifting of candy/edible goods, for a new homeowner, or as a teacher gift. There are so many possibilities, and this mason jar snowman will definitely put a smile on anyone’s face.

Winter might be dark and cold, but Frosty is always happy and bringing good wishes. You gotta love that.

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Did you enjoy my Frosty mason jar? If you make him, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other holiday project ideas:

• Epsom Salt Snowman Votive for Winter
• Mason Jar Christmas Vase for Farmhouse Decor
• Snowman Hot Chocolate Jars Make Great Gifts!
• Christmas Handprint Crafts: Three Fun & Easy Ideas!
• Wood Snowman Advent Calendar You Can Make