Make it Snow Around the World
The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found?
J. B. Priestley
December 1st makes a lot of us think of the holidays. It’s hard not to think about snow even if your climate doesn’t bring it. Once again, we’d like to spread snow around the world through WordPress.com.
To make it snow on your site:
- Go to your site’s dashboard.
- Navigate to Appearance → Extras.
- Check the box next to “Show falling snow on this blog.”
- Click the Update Extras button.
If you used snow last year it is automatically turned back on. If you want to turn it off, follow the steps above but uncheck the box.
Here’s a latin jazz version of Let it Snow to listen to while activating the feature:
Older computers may run slow or stop responding due to snow. Use the following links if you run into a problem (the options below only affect your user account):

December 1st, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Woo hoo! The snow returns! I love it. Why don’t we have this all year round? XD
December 1st, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Let is snow, let it snow, let is snow
December 1st, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Thank you for snow! I love it!
December 1st, 2010 at 6:30 pm
omg this is AMAZINGGGGG
December 1st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
LOL … my first thought upon seeing the snow on the home page was ‘I want snow on my blog too!’ I should have known you would have thought of that and provided the option for us. You guys seem to think of everything … thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Just done it there. Thanks a million. Goes nice with the theme I’m using. Keep up the good work and have a good Christmas.
December 1st, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I activated this feature last year and was surprised that it automatically worked this morning.
December 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
oooooo I love this! Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
This is so cool! Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
How fun!
I don’t think I’ll use it on my blog (well, maybe right around Christmas Day perhaps) as it is a little distracting… but lots of fun nonetheless!
(the jazz music clip is cheesily good too…)
December 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Thanks – here in Norway it is actually snowing…….. and now also on my blog.
December 1st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
What an incredibly cool effect!
The perfect way to add even more drama to my drama-filled blog!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Where I live it does not snow, but I love it!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Like so much! Too bad there’s no love button
December 1st, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I would freak out if it starts snowing here but I wouldn’t mind having it on my WordPress.com blog. Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
That’s a lovely idea! Thank you guys.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
LOVE this!!! I noticed it earlier. It makes me a little more excited for the season. (For now)
Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:05 pm
That was super easy….and it looks great! Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Thank you – so funny! I love it. Of course, it is kitschy, but dosed perfectly
December 1st, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I woke up to a lovely sight this morning. SNOW in California! How did you know that was just what I wanted for Christmas this year? Thank you.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Love it, totally makes me want to throw up some holiday decor while it’s pouring out and a bit tornado like!
YAY!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
This is sooo cool, it looks like it is snowing in my snowy pic…super cool…thanks!!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Just in time! It has started to snow here in the Netherlands, too.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Just activated that feature on my blog. Surprisingly, it is snowing today. First snow fall of the year in Cincinnati, OH. What are the chances of that happening?
December 1st, 2010 at 7:15 pm
This is cool! Thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:16 pm
This is delightful!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:17 pm
This is great! Super super love it, really suits with my xmas mood for december month period haha! XD
December 1st, 2010 at 7:18 pm
You are correct, an older computer really hampers this feature. I had to turn the snowfall off because my Commadore 64 froze when the snow started!!! Urggh. Now I have to put my 5 1/4″ system files floppy disks in and reconfigure…
Now I have time to sit at the window and watch the REAL snow for the next few hours.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I have to tell you – I signed up for the snow last year, and never removed the prompt. What a joy it was as I was posting my 1st Dec. post to have the snow fall unexpectedly on my blog! Thank you!! Living in Florida we don’t ever get to wake up to world that looks completely different. I’m glad my blog can!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Sounds like fun, as long as it’s “make believe.” Driving in snow is not my favorite thing. Watching it warm and snug indoors with a cup of hot tea, is more to my liking. Being an island girl, I’m all about “roasty, toasty.”…hugmamma.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Thanks, dude! You rock for this feature. I’m going to leave it on! Keep giving us good stuff. I love doing my blog!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Really neat! Thank you so much.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:25 pm
FABULOUSSSS!!! SUCH A WONDERFUL THING THANKS FOR YOUR CREATIVITY -B
December 1st, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Snow scene was saved from last year. Love it…
We have snow in the north east of england outside and now inside courtesy of WordPress.
Happy Christmas x
December 1st, 2010 at 7:30 pm
My snow switched on automatically today on both of my blogs. Lovely!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Amazing, that is, what I was looking for! Thank you! But I would still enjoy another christmas theme!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:33 pm
Fricking awesome guys… it is snowing now in San Diego at the beach
December 1st, 2010 at 7:40 pm
I just updated my blog with a Christmas theme today so the snow is a PERFECT addiction. I full out squealed when I saw this post. This makes me ridiculously happy!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:43 pm
When I went to my site the other day I was delighted to see the snow falling.
Here in Hawaii we only see it on top of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
And your are right about the magical amazing quality it has when the first snow has fallen!
Aloha and Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of you at WordPress.com
Thanks for all the features you keep creating for all of us.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Great idea and will nicely with my blog about the snow in Edinburgh, Scotland. Thanks
December 1st, 2010 at 7:46 pm
I wish I could add snow because it is actually snowing outside today for the first time this year. However, I do not see a button for “Extras” under my Appearance settings. I’m using version 3.0.2
December 1st, 2010 at 8:29 pm
This is for WordPress.com blogs. Otto’s comment above for a plugin you could use.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Loved it last year (and the year before) – so pleased it’s back again!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:47 pm
For people who use WordPress.org on their own sites, I recommend this plugin for the same effect: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/let-it-snow/
December 1st, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Snow… Snow…. and …Snow
I always wait for this moment.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Ha ha, I love it. Thank you!
December 1st, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Yay, I love the snow! And while I hate actual snow, I agree with Anne Lessing above – we should definitely have this all year round.
December 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Love this feature!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:01 pm
This is so cool! Not only has it started snowing outside, but it is now snowing on my blog.
Thank you.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Great Idea
I love it !!!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:02 pm
This is pretty dang sweet. Bring on some decorations, too! I love it. Thank you!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Fan Tas tiiic
i loove it !!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I noticed the snow and right away shared the news with my spouse.
“It’s snowing! It’s snowing! Yay!!!”
And he was, like, whaaat? Then looked. Oh, wow. That’s neat.
Thanks sooo much for the little thrills that mean so much!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Well, thanks, but I think we’ve already had enough snow here in SW France where we don’t normally expect it till January. So I won’t be using this feature, but thanks for thinking about adding a seasonal extra.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I love this feature!
I’m always so excited for it every year. I went to activate this feature today, but as I can tell you already activated for me. I was like, “Wow! WordPress must have really known that I like this feature so much that they activated it for me!” But now I learned it was because I had it last year. But still, just by activating it for me really brightened my day! I’m very happy for some reason right now.
I was just wondering, will WordPress ever have this feature available for different occasions or possibly as an option all the time? Or possibly have other features similar to this? For example, like, ‘falling leaves’, ‘falling mini marshmallows’, ‘raining chocolate’, or ‘raining anything we want?’ By anything we want, I mean that a WordPress user would be allowed to upload a mini image they would like to have falling on their screen. For my case, I think it would be cool if I had raining ‘mini red peppers’ falling on my site all the time!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
No plans to make snow available year round. It adds to the joy to have it limited.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Thank You So Much!! I Love It!!!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Aha! Good point! No wonder I’m so happy! Thanks. Does that mean there’s no chance for raining ‘mini red peppers?’
December 1st, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Probably not.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:44 pm
How nice! Such a lovely touch. You made me write on my blog again… Thank you.
December 1st, 2010 at 8:46 pm
That’s so cool!
December 1st, 2010 at 8:50 pm
I love putting the chill back on my blog…thanks!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
I had just posted a picture of the snowy Continental Divide, and overnight it started to snow! I was more than a little surprised to see falling snow in the picture when I logged on. I’d forgotten all about the WP snow. Delighted to see its return!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Good. Now I can experience snow
December 1st, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Thank you so much!!!
December 1st, 2010 at 9:56 pm
This is so great. Thanks, living in the south, I do miss the snow.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Nice feature, but I’m afraid I cannot make it snow, not even virtually because I’m in London, and even one tiny virtual snowflake will make the city come to a COMPLETE standstill and you’ll hear about us in the news (again)
(…never mind other countries cope with it)
December 1st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Awwwww…. I love seeing my blog snow. Gives me warm fuzzies (although I guess it’s supposed to have the opposite temperature effect). THANK YOU!
December 1st, 2010 at 10:35 pm
My blog is about snowdomes/snowglobes, so this is just perfect!!! You sure we can’t have this all year round? I’m willing to bribe you! LOL.
December 1st, 2010 at 10:40 pm
This is terrific, cleaner than most of the snow programming I’ve seen, and much easier to initiate!
Thanks WordPress, & Great Job!
December 1st, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Snow without shoveling = good.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:07 pm
I agree!
December 1st, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Very cool!
December 1st, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Thanks for this again! my blog was looking for this especially the snow and terrible cold here in Brussels.
There are snow on the pavements in my blog.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:08 pm
So exciting! Thank you soooo, much.
December 1st, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Great idea, but would be nice to have something different for the southern hemisphere
December 1st, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I love it! Thank you!
December 1st, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Absolutely brilliant– thank you so much!!!
Happy holidays!
December 1st, 2010 at 11:45 pm
OMG I love it!
December 1st, 2010 at 11:59 pm
That’s great. Can we also have the feature to add the jazz music clip as a background music for our blog?
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 am
We don’t allow auto-play music but you can place the audio player in your sidebar if you want.
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 am
Now if you could just make it pile up on the bottom of my blog and provide a little guy with a snow shovel to come along and shovel a path.
Peace and Merry Christmas, Linda
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:12 am
It’s my second year and I still love the idea and of course, the snow.
thank you! Cheers!
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:28 am
How funny that a little snow in my header should be so much fun. When I saw it the other day, I immediately remembered it from last year and was happy to see it was back. WP really rocks.
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:31 am
Ya’ll are too stellar!!!!!!!
I actually have a snow background on my blog, so this will be PERFECT! I just love this site!!!!
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 am
Thank you! This is way cool! Totally love it.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 am
Wow! amazing, this shall be available throughout the years in my opinion, love the effect very much!
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 am
Great snow feeling, which is pretty cool for an Aussie like me as here we get heat, heat, heat, sun, humidity, heat etc for Christmas. Beach, surf, outdoors, shade is Christmas time in Aus.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:12 am
What a lovely feature! Such a nice surprise. I now have the perfect backdrop for my Advent calendar post!
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 am
Oh Golly. I’d forgotten about this from last year. Glad it’s automatic! LOVE IT, or as we Scotties say, “AarrooooOOOOO!” Like the music, too.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:32 am
Will it be possible to have it forever, not just during the month of December till January?
I really love the effect! It is not just Christmas by itself! =P
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 am
The words above by J. B. Priestley are so true. Thanks for the snow. Good idea.
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:42 am
It’s -4 degrees here, so it fits PERFECT….Love it, Thank you!!!
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:49 am
I started thinking about this weeks ago when the weather turned cold. Jingle Bells!
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:06 am
There is no snow in Indonesia, but I have snow in my blog!! Great!!!
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:07 am
I LOVE the snowflakes! How perfect for my blogs about Southwest Florida!
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:30 am
I love it. I just made a Christmas Header and put on a red boarder. I wish I could change the inside where you write to a color too.
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:35 am
Now if you could show me how to add midi’s or other music then my blog would really start to be cool.
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
You can use the audio player with MP3s.
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:45 am
You give us the coolest features! Our blogs are winterized! Thank you!
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:46 am
Yay, I’ve been waiting for the snow! love it! I just wish we could have firecracker animations for the new year too.
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:47 am
How nice to open my blogs and see the snow drifting down again. Thanks!