Beloved by children and adults alike, snow globes can be miniature works of art, kitschy souvenirs or anything in between. Snow globes share common features. A container — made of glass, plastic or other clear material — is filled with liquid that covers a central figure or scene; when shaken, the flitter, the technical term for the “snow,” creates a storm that briefly obscures the inside of the container.

Shown here is Santa Claus in snow globe.