New Year's Eve raises a lot of worries and questions. What Christmas tree to put, how to decorate a house, what to present to friends and relatives? And if everything is more or less clear with decorations and a festive tree, then the problem of choosing gifts remains relevant. With loved ones easier, we know that they will like it. But with colleagues and comrades, the situation is more complicated. I want the present to be not very expensive, but at the same time it will give you joy and remind you all year long. And then glass balls come to the rescue.
Snowball story
The souvenir, which everyone has long been accustomed to, turns out to have a story. The first glass ball with snow appeared in France at the end of 1889. It was a small, palm-sized sphere with an Eiffel tower inside with a ceramic base and the likeness of snowflakes.
A little later, these peculiar souvenirs became popular throughout Europe, attracting more attention from collectors. To replace the French sights as a decoration of the ball came a wide variety of figures: Christmas trees, figurines, watches, flower arrangements, trees, hearts and much more. And the United States began to issue snow domes with images of large cities.
Snow balls in production
In 1929, a certain Joseph Garaj, a resident of Pittsburgh, received a patent to launch the mass production of these souvenirs, after which they became even more popular throughout the world. This prompted large companies in the 40s to use New Year's glass balls to advertise their products.
Today you can find the most diverse designs and compositions under the snow dome. The most advanced manufacturers began to equip souvenirs with motion or light sensors, so that the ball can be highlighted by itself or even independently set in motion a blizzard.
Glass balls for Christmas tree
What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone talks about the New Year? Of course, this is a festive table, a cozy homely atmosphere, tinsel, gifts, confetti, tangerines, fireworks and a Christmas tree! And this forest beauty, of course, is all decorated with multi-colored glass balls and stars. Although today Christmas tree decorations can be found not only in classical forms, but also in the most unusual in the form of figures of animals, houses, birds or even fairy-tale characters. However, classics are classics.
Glass balls today have replaced plastic ones, which, it is worth noting, are no less beautiful, but much safer. Remember how guilty we were collecting fragments of a Christmas tree toy in childhood, if by chance it slipped out of our hands? It was especially disappointing if it was not just a sphere, but a ball with tinsel or “snow” inside. Plastic is much stronger and lighter, which means that dropping colorful balls, you do not risk being left without decorations!
How to choose a glass ball with snow?
Choosing gifts is not easy and quite time consuming. Well, if you have decided in advance what you want. Managed to get to the New Year's bustle? Super! But, as usual, we recall gifts and purchases at the last moment, when the store shelves are pretty empty, and prices skyrocketed. However, the chances of finding a beautiful glass ball as a souvenir for colleagues are quite large. But how to choose the best of the many? First of all, you need to decide on the subject, because the compositions are very different.
- New Year's: Christmas trees, Santa, snowmen, gifts, etc., related to the holiday.
- Family: various hearts, couples in love, children, houses.
- Flora and fauna: trees, fruits and vegetables, flowers, animals and insects.
- Fairytale: various cartoon characters and fairy tales, vivid scenes, magical creatures, etc.
- Collectible balls: this is a special kind of souvenirs that are so appreciated by amateurs. Most often made to order.
When you have decided on a theme, it's time to choose a size. After all, a gift should remind you, but do not interfere in the house. Otherwise, he runs the risk of quickly getting into the box for all sorts of little things.
DIY glass balls
Buying a snow globe is easy, but much more pleasant to receive such a handmade souvenir as a gift. Even if Mother Nature has deprived you of a talent for creativity, it will not be difficult to make a glass ball. Transparent or colorized, decide for yourself.
So you will need:
- a transparent jar (preferably round) with a screw cap;
- high-quality sealant;
- polymer glue (the faster it dries, the better);
- glycerol;
- water:
- figures for composition;
- sequins, foil or sequins;
- scissors;
- acrylic paints.
Pour a mixture of glycerin and water into a clean container. If necessary, you can replace it with baby oil. The main thing is that it be transparent. Do not pour liquid to the very edge, because when you put your composition in it, it can leak out.
Decorate the cover with paints and foil, then on the inside with the help of glue, assemble your composition. It is important that all parts and figures adhere well.
Pour glitter, cut foil and sequins into a jar, treat the edge with sealant so that water does not leak. After that, you can gently flip the lid and gently lower the figures into the liquid. Screw the lid tightly. You can paint the dome outside. Shake your souvenir and enjoy the snowfall.