Snow globes and musical snow globes for Christmas
Mousehouse Gifts
Wind-up musical glass snow globe with Santa and Rudolph, 14 cm
Prices checked on Amazon UK on 3 October 2026; they may have changed since. The price ranges and medians quoted in the text of this page come from the check of 29 September 2026. Ratings and review counts are those of Amazon shoppers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Snow globes: types in the listings
Buyers rate these globes 4.6 out of 5 on average. The mix runs from plain shake globes to musical globes, lantern globes with LEDs, character globes and kits you fill or add a photo to, in mostly glass and resin with some acrylic, plastic and ceramic.
| Type | Size in the listings | How it works | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shake globes in glass, resin or ceramic | 8 to 19.5 cm tall | Shake and watch the flakes settle | £9 to £39 |
| Musical globes and a music box | 14 to 17.5 cm tall | Plays a tune; one globe is wind-up | £20 to £49 |
| Lantern globes | 17 to 26 cm tall | LEDs, 8 tunes, 6-hour timer, 3 AA or USB | £28 to £51 |
| Make-your-own and photo globes | About 9 cm | You fill it or add the picture | £8 to £15 |
What to look for in snow globes
Glass, resin or plastic
Glass domes feel solid but break. The wind-up glass globe weighs 875 g and a 5.5 in musical one about 0.9 kg, while a small glass robin globe weighs 80 g. Resin and plastic do not shatter like glass, so acrylic and plastic globes suit younger children, and the listings include an acrylic globe, a plastic photo globe and a plastic mini set.
Musical, wind-up and lantern globes
A wind-up globe plays a tune when it is wound and needs no batteries. The lanterns light up with LEDs, and several listings give 8 Christmas tunes, a 6-hour timer, a silent light mode and power from 3 AA batteries or a USB cable. Two listings say the batteries are not included, so check the box contents.
Character, photo and personalised globes
The character globes cover Disney, Harry Potter and Star Wars, mostly 8 to 14.5 cm tall in glass and resin, with one Harry Potter globe at 19.5 cm. One photo kit has a slot with room for two photos, and the personalised globe is a plastic dome of about 9 cm. Check what the seller needs from you, and allow time for delivery before Christmas.
Looking after snow globes
Keep a globe out of strong sun and away from radiators, and stand it where it will not be knocked. Wrap each one in tissue and store it upright in a box, and take the batteries out of lantern globes before they go away for the year.
A lit lantern globe sits well with the village pieces in Nativity, villages and figurines, and a lantern with a gonk inside is in Christmas gonks and gnomes. For the styles that suit a globe, read Christmas decor styles explained and traditional British Christmas decorations and what they mean.
Frequently asked questions: Snow Globes & Music Boxes
What liquid goes in a snow globe?
Most snow globes are filled with water, and many makers add a little glycerine so the glitter drifts down slowly. A sealed globe should stay sealed, so do not open it to top it up.
What are snow globes used for?
They are displayed as ornaments on a mantelpiece, desk or bedside table, kept as collectables, or given as gifts. The lantern globes also work as a night light, because several have a silent light mode.
Where can I get cheap snow globes?
Prices here start under £8, and half of the range sits between £15 and £39. Small glass and resin globes, including the character ones, cost about £9 to £25, and the make-your-own and photo globes cost £8 to £15.
How do you make a snow globe?
Two kits here cover it: a clear acrylic globe sold as self-made, and a photo globe with a slot for a picture and room for two photos. A third set lets you build mini Disney globes from capsule parts.
Are there musical snow globes?
Yes. One glass globe is wound up to play a tune, and the lantern globes play 8 Christmas tunes in several listings, with a 6-hour timer and power from 3 AA batteries or a USB cable. A carousel music box adds colour-changing LEDs.
Which snow globes suit children?
Acrylic and plastic globes are the safer choice, because glass breaks if it is dropped. The listings include an acrylic globe, a plastic mini set and an 11 cm ceramic Disney globe sold for a nursery shelf. Keep glass globes on a high shelf.
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