Skip garland this year and turn your staircase into a snowy penguin slide

Garland, mistletoe, paper chains, popcorn tinsel … it’s all beautiful, but it’s all been done before. Do you want to add a unique touch to your holiday decorations this year? Then try out this clever penguin slide that will turn your stairs into a frozen scene from the North Pole.

With just a few simple steps, you can turn your home into a winter wonderland even if there is no snow on the ground outside.

Proper Manchester shared images of one design on Facebook, showing how a simple strand of lights, fake snow and some fuzzy penguins can bring holiday magic to your home:

Or look at this example from Recipes from Heaven. Their banister/penguin slide is packed with penguins sporting festive hats and scarves. They posted a tutorial on Pinterest.

To complete this project, you will need fake snow. Instead of using the spiderwebby type of fake snow that you often see pre-bagged at stores, a thick white blanket of faux snow that is intended for crafting purposes will be easier to work with and make less of a mess. This Christmas Snow Blanket Roll on Amazon is a good option, and you can trim it with crafting or fabric scissors to fit your handrail.

If you want to put the penguin slide on the stairs instead, you can wrap the snow blanket around old pillows or bedding that can then be pinned or tied down to the floor.

Out of time to design your own? Order a holiday snow surfing handrail wrap on Amazon that comes with the snow, lights and a sliding Santa, penguin and snowman for $45.

You can use a strand of lights under the snow to add a magical glow to your penguin slide, preferably a battery-operated option so you won’t have to worry about cords making people trip — especially since it’s right at the stairs. Clear is a good option, but blue would also add an icy arctic glow.

And remember, you don’t just have to use penguins. If your child has other stuffed animal or toys that belong in the snow (think wolves or reindeer or polar bears or seals, or maybe even Olaf or another “Frozen” character), these would also be fun additions to your slide. Cut up an old scarf that you no longer use and tie it around the little plushes for an extra dose of Christmas cheer.