by JoAnn Powell

Created on: November 22, 2009

Of all outdoor winter activities, building a snowman is the one that usually brings a smile to your face and good memories to your thoughts. A lovingly built snowman can become our new friend for the day. Though we'll miss him when he's gone, the memory of fun still remains.

1. To begin to build a snowman you need to have the right type of snow. Snow that is too soft and fluffy won't pack well, and snow that is too wet soon turns to an ice ball. Snow that is slightly moist if the best because it packs well as you form the snow balls. Most snowmen have three parts: the bottom base, the middle body, and the head.

2. Start with a regular sized snowball. Then begin rolling it through the snow, allowing the new snow to cling and make the snowball bigger and bigger. Keep rolling until it is the size you want for the base of the snowman, or until it is too heavy to roll, whichever comes first.

3. The first snowball should be the largest. After the first one, roll two more, graduating them smaller in size. Place the next largest snowball on top of the base, then the last and smallest on top, to serve as the snowman's head.

4. Now comes the best part: dressing the snowman. Lumps of coal that traditionally were used as buttons and eyes aren't available much anymore, but large black buttons work just fine. Add branches or large twigs for the arms, and gloves or mittens attached to the ends of the branches simulate hands. Add a scarf and hat to add character to your snowman. Carrots are traditionally used for a nose, but you can always improvise with what ever is readily available, even a colored golf ball or whiffle ball looks great.

5. Be sure to take a photo of the snowman surrounded by his creators.

After the snowman is finished and it's time to get warm indoors, you can further enhance your snowman memories by providing cups of hot cocoa while you watch the DVD of "The Snowman" by Raymond Briggs. It tells the story of a snowman who comes to life and shares his activities with a little boy. The video and the music are wonderful, there is no spoken word, only audio and beautiful visuals. You can rent it from most libraries, or purchase at most book stores. Enjoy.

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