A snowman is a jolly centerpiece decoration during the holidays, alongside a Christmas tree. But even if the sun is shining and the temperature is 80°F outside, you can still have a DIY snowman in the front yard, thanks to a handy tomato cage serving as its foundation. Is it the magic of his old top hat that makes him alive as he can be?
Tip
For a smaller version to decorate a tabletop or other surface indoors, you can make a snowman from styrofoam balls.
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If you love Christmas crafts and home decor, check out this DIY snowman tutorial.
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Things You'll Need
54-inch tomato cage
12-inch round paper lantern
Tissue paper
Duct tape
King size white sheet
White ribbon
Black felt
Scissors
Orange felt
Black buttons
Green felt
Branches
String
Scarf
Top hat
Build the body and the head
1. Attach the head to the body
The foundation of the snowman's body is a 54-inch tomato cage. Tomato cages are tall, cone-shaped wire structures sold at nurseries. For the head, we'll use a 12-inch round paper lantern, which you can find at a party supply store or on Etsy.
Position the tomato cage so the loose spokes are on top, and the large round wire circle is at the bottom. (It will look like a topiary Christmas tree.)
Attach the snowman's head to the body, sliding the spokes of the tomato cage into the bottom opening in the paper lantern.
Tip
While 54-inch tomato cages make a "life-sized" snowman, they're available in smaller sizes as well. Select a shorter cage for a smaller snowman, or use multiple sizes for a snowman family.
2. Fatten the snowman decoration
To build the tomato cage snowman's rotund shape, ball up tissue paper and attach the lumps around the tomato cage with duct tape. You can also use newspaper or butcher paper.
Create one plumped up section for the torso, and then another one for the lower half of the body that is slightly thicker.
3. Cover with a sheet
Cover the entire tomato cage snowman foundation with a white, king-sized sheet. It will look like a ghost, or other spooky Halloween decorations, but don't worry. When we're through with this DIY tutorial, it will be a bonafide snowman, worthy of the finest front porch holiday decor.
Tip
Try a used sheet. This is a great way to save money and recycle too!
4. Cinch the neck and waist
To delineate the neck and waist of the snowman, tie a white ribbon at the point where the paper lantern meets the top of the topiary tomato cage and where the two body portions meet. Tuck any excess fabric underneath the tomato cage.
See? It's already looking more like a snowman, adding a touch of whimsy to your holiday decor.
Create a snowman face
1. Add the eyes
Cut out two 3-inch circles of black felt with scissors and glue them to the snowman head for the eyes.
2. Add the nose
Cut out a four-inch square out of orange felt, fold it in half diagonally, and glue two opposite corners to the head for the nose.
3. And a smile
Glue black buttons to the head to create a smile. This will take your Christmas decorations and holiday decor to the next level.
Give the snowman arms
Tie two branches to the ribbon around the neck to act as the arms for this DIY project tutorial. Choose a skinny branch with a lot of twigs at the end of the DIY tomato cage topiary so the twigs resemble fingers.
Dress the snowman
Add large "buttons" to the tomato cage body by cutting out 4-inch circles of felt and gluing them to both round body portions on the snowman. We used green felt from the Dollar Tree, but dress your front porch snowman with whatever colors you'd like.
2. Wrap him with a scarf
Tie a scarf around the tomato cage snowman's neck to hide where you tied the branches to the ribbon. This makes the snowman decoration really stand out. The scarf also adds a nice sartorial touch to our front porch DIY snowman.
3. Finish with a top hat
When it comes to Christmas decorations, this tomato cage snowman isn't finished without his magical hat. You can make your own or use a plastic top hat, which you can find at a party supply store or Amazon, completes the look and makes this snowman decoration a true gentleman. He's ready to greet all your holiday visitors in style and brighten up the outdoor decor.
