Have you ever wanted to build a snowman, but never felt that you could?  From creating square monstrosities to cylindrical atrocities, it can be easy to feel like a failed Victor’s Frankenstein. So, to up your front yard décor game and gain the respect of every elementary school student nearby, here’s a quick guide to make the perfect snowman.

First, find a good place to station your snowman. A flat area is not only nice for building, but also acts as a stage for your work of art. In addition,  find a spot that has a ready supply of snow nearby. If the snow is soft, however, it can be far more challenging to sculpt the snowman, so make sure it is both light and fluffy.

Next, check to see if the snow can be compounded easily. Then, gather a handful of snow. Pack it tightly within your hands-or, if you are running into trouble, consider using your shoes to make the snow more compound.

Then, put your new creation on the ground, rolling it through the snow patch such that it picks up more snow as it rolls. Once it reaches a height of one to three feet, consider it good for your snowman’s bottom section.

Make another snowball, except make sure to spend a smaller, yet not drastically different, time rolling the ball. This will become the snowman’s middle section.

Try using your arms to place the midsection on top of the lower section, but if you find yourself having the snowball falling apart in your arms you can use a plank or ramp to get the midsection on top of the bottom section.

Finally, create the upper section. This section should ideally be a third of the size of the lower section, but if this seems to hard just make sure it’s smaller than the mid-section.

Just for fun, feel free to put some more snow between each section. This will not only stabilize the snowman, but also make it more likely to survive the heat of the sun in the coming days. Remember, while snowmen can be made mathematically, ultimately it is the craftsmanship and artistry of the creator that separates a good and a bad snowman. Happy building!