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Posts Tagged ‘collecting snow globes’

Whether you are considering what your next big hobby will be or looking for a fun activity to share with your children, you can’t go wrong with collecting snow globes. Unlike many hobbies, beginning a snow globe collection doesn’t take much money to get started, and it is a fun way to remind us of the little child in the heart of every person. Since snow globes are fun to collect for people young and old, they make a great collection for an adult, a child or the whole family.

A snow globe is a souvenir that consists of a glass sphere holding a little world of its own. The globe is filled with water, and when it is still, a fine layer of white particles cover the landscape of the scene. When the glass is shaken, these little white particles are dispersed swirling into the water of the globe and resemble a little snow storm. Many snow globes also come with a music box that jingles a little tune as the flakes settle back over the landscape.

Snow globes have alternative names such as snow dome, water dome, snow shakers and water balls and they appear to date from France in the early 1800s. They appeared in relation to glass paperweights which were popular only a few years prior. Today’s snow globes are made with a mixture of water and glycerin, in which glycerin makes the ‘snow’ fall slower.

When it comes to the scenes that are found inside snow globes, there are no limits except for the customer’s imagination. Bucolic landscapes are common, as are nostalgic settings. Other snow globes depict popular entertainment characters, sports teams or other interests of the collector’s whimsy.

Regardless of how many snow globes you decide to collect, they will all need a safe display spot in your home. Be sure that where ever you choose to set your snow globes is someplace sturdy, as most globes are cheaper to replace than to repair. Also, remember that exposure to extreme temperature may cause the glass to break, while other weather may evaporate some of the water in the globe or fade the colors of the objects inside.

These are some things to consider if this is the hobby for you. Snow globes come in a wonderful assortment and even if you collect 5 or 500 will be a wonderful addition to your home. Remember that the history of snow globes is as fun as collecting these little beauties.

Check out Planet Snowglobe for a great Bambi snowglobe selecction.