One thing they do here...(Fla) They buy the little black hat, carrot (nose) and some little black dot things (charcoal), etc. (you can get all in a craft store) Put all in a small bottle with water..you can add some glitter too. Call it a Fla Snowman...:-)
Can be made to be a "snow globe, of sorts, with a baby food jar.
Tiger

I have also seen a post where folks put loads of things (nails, buttons, coins, seashells etc) in a big jar filled with sand...then give a list of the things and kids have to find all the different items (like an I Spy in a jar)...well, back to snowmen idea...you could do as I suggested with the elements in a small jar with sand, maybe a few seashells for the Fla Snowman..

Well, I'm not sure how it would look in a basket, but I just made some yardstick snowmen. A yardstick, 3 various sized styrofoam balls, buttons and paperclips, sticks from the yard, various scraps of cloth and felt. Better Homes & Gardens has a picture of one in the crafts section. $2+scraps+15minutes=great yard ornament gift. Maybe use a 12" ruler....

If I could, I'd give you some of the snow we're supposed to get this weekend! LOL. We're supposed to get about 7 inches. Brrrrr!!!!!!!!

check on the 'crafts & decoration forum 2'. They have a lot of post of snowmen made from paver bricks. You can buy the bricks at a home improvement store for under $1, paint with white paint, and add a hat and scarf.

I just made a cute little snowman out of wood shapes. I painted all the pcs. white--large circle for body, small circle for head, 4 ice cream spoons for arms and legs. Then I glued them together, small circle on top of large circle, centered at top. Glue on the arms in appropriate area on side of body. Glue legs in appropriate area at bottom of body. For a little added color I took metallic gold paint and just barely rubbed it on the sides of the pieces. Then I added a face with black paint pen. A carrot nose with toothpick dipped in orange paint. And a scarf made out of a plaid flannel shirt piece. Oh, yeah, and buttons down the front!

Turned out really cute.

i just posted a "rustic snowman" ornament on the C&D forum -if you have access to a scrollsaw, perhaps you could make an ornament or two :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Rustic Snowman Ornament

Here's some more of the gag type gifts.

Snowman Litter

A jar, or whatnot, of Hot cocoa mix with the following directions attached.

Since the snowman is a "productive" critter,
It helps to have the proper litter.
Poop is a thing that should not be kept,
Nor something under the rug to be swept. (how inept!)

To dispose of the poop you need to consider
Using this high tech Snowman Litter.
But should you not use the proper mix,
You'll undoubtably find yourself in a fix.

Tis best done by putting this stuff in a mug
Be careful and don't drop poop on the rug.
Add poop to the cup, and pour in a slug,
Of hot melted snowman right into that mug.
The poop disappears (oh hear the wild cheers)
Merry Christmas to all and a Very Happy New Year.

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SNOWMAN KISSES

(mini-marshmallows or other white candy)

Snowflakes from Heaven as white as can be!
Can build a Snowman for all to see!
He's cute and cuddly and full of good wishes!
And wants to give you a bunch of his kisses!