Snow globe: a New Year card you shake to make it snow
This is the glass toy from the shelf of your childhood, rebuilt for a phone. A turned wooden base, a gold band, an empty brass plaque at the front, and inside the glass a small snowy winter scene. As the recipient shakes the globe the snow spins and a music box winds up. When they stop, the flakes sink slowly as if through water, the windows and lamps inside light up one at a time and a little waltz plays. Last of all, “Happy New Year”, the year and their name are engraved on the plaque.
Choose it when you want a quiet, charming New Year hello rather than a loud one: for your mum, an old school friend, a colleague who collects snow globes. Share the link in any chat; it opens in the browser without an app. After reading your message, they can tap the globe to make it snow again as often as they like.
What does the recipient experience?
- The opening screen says someone sent you a snow globe. If your phone supports motion, you'll see “Open with a shake” and “Continue without motion”; motion is used only to detect the shake.
- Your name appears, followed by “Shake the globe!”. Shake the phone, or drag the globe quickly left and right; a few taps work too. A hint says the music box is winding up.
- The snow settles, the lights inside switch on one by one and the music box plays a waltz. Three tiny fireworks pop inside the glass.
- The camera drops to the base, where “HAPPY NEW YEAR”, the year and your name shine on the brass plaque.
- The sender's message opens on a card. Send back a thank-you emoji, watch it again, or tap the globe to swirl the snow once more.
What can you choose?
The sender picks what's inside the globe: a snowy cabin among pine trees, a town square with a clock tower, or a frozen lake with skaters gliding around. Each scene has its own little lights that come on as the snow settles. Beyond that, they write the recipient's name, their own name and an optional message; if it's left blank, a ready-made New Year wish appears.
When to send it
Send it in the last days of December or the first week of January; links are deleted after seven days. Shaking the phone is the most fun, but if motion access is declined or the card is opened on a computer, the globe can be swirled with a finger or mouse instead. The music box is half the charm, so ask them to turn the sound on.
Common questions
Do I have to shake my phone?
No. If you skip the motion permission, drag the globe left and right with your finger or tap it a few times. It swirls just the same.
Why does it ask for motion access?
Only to notice that the phone is being shaken. No location or other data is collected, and the access is used only while the page is open.
What does the plaque say?
“Happy New Year” on top, with the new year and the recipient's name below. It appears once the snow has settled and the lights are on, as if engraved into the brass.