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Is that Anna knocking on the door? We might not get heaps of snow in the UK, but when it does fall, it’s hard to resist rolling up a frosty friend in the garden. Even if it’s only a thin layer, you can still make it work. Here’s how to build a snowman that would make Olaf proud.
How to Build a Snowman
Grab your gloves and get ready. These simple steps will help you roll, stack, and bring your snowman to life right in your garden.
Choose where your snowman will stand
Your best bet is somewhere shaded or slightly sheltered from the wind. That could be under a tree or beside the shed. You’ll also want a flat patch so the base doesn’t lean or sink once it starts to thaw.
Just beware of ice or snow falling off rooftops — for both the snowman’s safety and yours!
Check the snow depth
You’ll know the snow is ready when it packs well and doesn’t fall apart. Around two to four inches on the ground gives you enough to shape a steady base and build height. You’ll have to settle for a smaller snowman with thinner coverage, though.
Ideally the snow should be as moist as possible, temperatures just around freezing point. If it’s been stood too long, it might have frozen dry and become brittle. The snow needs to be packable, able to roll into a snowball and stick together.
Build the body
It’s better to make a snowman with 3 total balls: one for the head, two for the body. If you use a single large ball for the body, you get an oversized, hard-to-move, very wide body that doesn’t go as tall as you’d like.
Pick up a small handful of snow and squeeze it into a ball that fits in your hands. Push it along the ground, letting it pick up more snow as you roll, and keep it fairly even to avoid wobbling. Stop once it reaches about knee height.
Make another snowball smaller than your base. If it feels too heavy to lift, use a plank, shovel, or a board as a ramp to slide it up without squashing the base. Press it lightly to balance, and fill in any gaps around the edges with extra snow to hold up.
Finish with the head
Mould a small ball for the head and lift it onto the middle section carefully. Pat a little around the join to make it sit firm and avoid wobbling. Adjust as needed to make it straight, then fill in any gaps with extra snow.
Gather more snow if needed
If your garden doesn’t have enough snow to build a proper snowman, don’t worry—you can borrow some from other spots. Shed roofs, car tops, and along fences usually have thicker patches. Use a shovel or your hands to bring it down, pack it together and add it to your pile. Just don’t trespass on anyone else’s property to do it.
Tips for an Attractive Snowman
Now that the body is complete, have fun giving your snowman some personality. Stick a carrot in for the nose and pop in pebble eyes. Don’t forget the scarf around its neck and a hat on top, and you’ll find it looks cheeky and cheerful. Add buttons, twigs for arms, or sunglasses, and more!
Let the kids join in. They’ll love naming it or dressing it up as a mini Olaf, snow princess, or whatever silly idea they dream up.
Round-up
When snow surprises the UK, grab your gloves and make the most of it. A good pile of snow with a bit of scavenging and a few fun touches, you can bring the winter magic right to your garden.
You might also want to keep your green space alive: Winter Bedding Plants Gardening Ideas
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