Why do we build snowmen?
Building snowmen has been a winter pastime for centuries, especially around Christmas when snowy landscapes feel magical and festive. The tradition of crafting figures out of snow dates back to medieval Europe, where people embraced this chilly, artistic fun. One of the earliest records of a snowman appears in 1380 manuscript called the Book of Hours, showing that building snow figures has a long and frosty history!
During the Renaissance, snowmen became a way to showcase creativity, as artists sculpted elaborate snow figures to impress their communities. In the Netherlands, entire villages would come together to build "snow families" for celebration, turning the snowy streets into mini art galleries.
Interestingly, snowmen also gained popularity during hard winters when snow was in abundance. It was free, plentiful and perfect for shaping into cheery figures, giving people a way to express their holiday spirit. By the 19th century, snowmen became a Christmas tradition worldwide, thanks to illustrated Christmas cards and stories featuring cheerful snowmen that captured imaginations and spread joy.
A snowman once stood in a row, with a carrot for a nose, all aglow. Kids laughed and they played, until he started to fade - then he vanished with one final throw!
So next time you build a snowman, remember- you're part of a festive tradition that spans centuries!
