FULL of snow much personal-ity, it’s hard not to think of someone when you see any one of Department 56’s® popular line of Snowpinions®, designed by artist Kristi Jensen Pierro! As a result, we had so much fun pairing up staff with different pieces during the launch of Bronner’s blog in 2016 in this popular post. Our newest arrival of frosty friends once again begs the question — just who will the Snowpinions® awards go to this time around?!
To be sure, Bronner’s has SNOW many fun, NEW Snowpinions® to choose from. Consequently, each has a flurry of personality that gives them a slightly magical air, kind of like Frosty the Snowman.
1. Go Your Own Way
And the “Go Your Own Way” Snowpinions® award goes to none other than …
Dietrich Bronner!
This award is well deserved! Not only is Dietrich always on the go – he is often seen biking or running around – but he also does it with his own penchant for fashion.
Additionally, Dietrich garners this award because his culinary creativity never follows the mold. (More on that to come soon so you may want to subscribe to be notified as new posts and recipes pop up!)
2. Sent This Bird to Say I Love You
With its lovely crimson-red plumage, the cardinal holds a special significance in many cultures. Its appearance is often viewed as a symbol of the presence of a lost loved one or a spiritual messenger. For this reason, sighting a cardinal reminds us that we are loved and not alone.
Likewise, this “Sent This Bird to Say ‘I Love You’” Snowpinions® is a touching way to show your support for those living with the memories of a loved one forever in their heart. This solemn Snowpinions® is presented in memory of a loving father, Dale Moshier, to his living legacy and daughter, and our fellow blogger,
Brooke Spencer!
“There are so many memories … My dad loved people, especially his family. He was a member of numerous organizations (Red Cross, Toys for Tots, food pantries, city council, etc.), and he was always helping someone out every single day. Holidays were no exception,” Brooke shared.
“My dad taught my sisters and me how to make paper flowers. He would make these all of the time for us and even made some as decorations for his wedding. He would put them in vases around the house to brighten our day and at times would even spray them to make them smell pretty.”
3. Though Apart, You’re in My Heart
When children have grown and on their way gone, a mother knows better than most that though apart they never leave your heart.
With a son who umpires nationally for the MLB, a daughter on the east coast with her Naval husband and another daughter who travels internationally, we of course have to award the “Though Apart, You’re In My Heart” Snowpinions® to mama of three and Bronner’s communications assistant,
Lori Libka!
Consequently, as the family has grown, so has Lori’s heart. In addition to her sweet granddog Striker, indeed named in nod to dad’s profession in baseball, she now has two terrific, adorable grandsons who call her Nana as well! And a second grandpup, Kiwi has recently joined the family, too.
4. Furry & Bright
And the award for most likely to have a “Furry & Bright Christmas” goes to our very own staff artist …
Shannon is dog mom to two sweet rescues, and Lori shares that story of fur-ever love in the post Pet Rescue: Penny’s Story. Sharing a few more fun highlights on the personalities of this PAW-some pair, Shannon jests that it feels a bit like creating an online dating profile. (But fur-real … these two are not on the market.😉)
Penny Butter:
- Complete MUTT
- Almost 4 years old
- Is ALWAYS smiling
- Has one eye
- Occasionally runs into walls but has never missed catching a falling treat
- LOVES: Food, car rides and her hooman dad
- HATES: ALL delivery trucks
- What Mama loves most about Penny: Penny is an absolute clown! A total goofball who makes everyone laugh! And she is the most intelligent, cuddly, independent pup I’ve ever known. She wears her heart on her sleeve … if she wore clothes, I mean.
Otto Hans:
- Black-and-silver-dappled miniature dachshund
- 12 years old
- Has the squishiest little paws
- Recently gone deaf in both ears
- Still barks at everything he DOESN’T hear
- LOVES: Parmesan cheese, ear rubs, and burrowing under blankets
- HATES: Getting out of bed for anything … besides food
- What Mama loves most about Otto: Otto is one of my oldest friends and we’ve been through so much together. One of my favorite parts of the day is tucking him in at night. He looks me in the eye and lets out the most content little sigh. Then I do, too.
5. Not Drinking Alone if the Cat Is Home
Whether you’re of the “Snowpinion” that you are a dog person or a cat person, every pet parent can agree that animals steal our hearts FUR-ever! So it’s no surprise that Eileen and her fur-baby are the “berry” best of buds! (Yup, his name is Berry and we think he’s berry cute, too!)
For that reason, we’re awarding the “Not Drinking Alone if the Cat Is Home” Snowpinions® to staff artist,
Eileen & Berry Boone!
“Berry likes to play fetch and loves people, especially men. (He gives Russell back rubs.) A glass of wine and back rub: now that’s a PAWS-itively PURR-fect night at home!
6. Kitty Christmas
We aren’t ‘kitten’ when we announce that the “Kitty Christmas” award goes to our very own copy writer and personalization artist,
Malissa Krueger and her cat Q!
Like Shannon, Malissa’s fur-baby Q is a rescue. Q came with the first snow of the season in 2015.
Malissa jokes he got more than he bargained for, thinking he was choosing a single woman. Turns out her husband was just away on a business trip, and Q wasn’t thrilled to meet the master of the house when Bob returned! 
Q is definitely Malissa’s cat, though he does like to crawl on Bob’s lap at the end of the day for some male bonding in front of the TV.
7. Wine Me Up
Have you ever met one of those people who is the life of the party and just bubbles with joy from within — even without wine?! Well, that’s Shelley, one of our assistant supervisors. Follow the laughter and you’re sure to find her at the center because Shelley has the uncanny ability to wind others up with her infectious joy!
It’s for this reason …
Shelley Stuart
… wins the “Wine Me Up” Snowpinions® award!
And would you be able to guess? She couldn’t be more excited about it!
8. Be My Snuggle Buddy
This “Be My Snuggle Buddy” Snowpinions® award is presented to Bronner’s Catalog design lead and mama to two beautiful minis …
Erin Kuch!
“That Snowpinions® looks like me every weekend with my cup of coffee!” Erin shared. And whether you’re a “Big Cuddler” or a “Little Snuggler,” what mom doesn’t love a snuggle buddy or two?!
Of these merry moments with her daughters, Erin adds, “We all even have our own special blankets!”
9. Life’s Short, Eat the Cookies
And the sweet “Life Is Short, Eat the Cookies” Snowpinions® award goes to …
Aileen Libbey!
OK, I have to be completely honest! I’m snagging this accolade for myself.😉 That’s just the way the cookie crumbles …
But in truth, I think my coworkers would agree that this award is well earned as you can clearly see by the little scavenger hunt they set up for me one year! It solely featured one of my favorite Christkindlmarkt treats, imported from Germany, Lebkuchen (ginger spice) COOKIES!
10. One Bite Zero Calories Snowpinions®
Though she doesn’t work here, she’s inspired many a post on Bronner’s blog. It’s for this reason I’m nominating my friend Kelly for the “One Bite Zero Calories” Snowpinions® award! Additionally, it couldn’t be more fitting because, ironically, she is often sharing on her Kustom Baked Kreations By Kelly page that her “Kookies” are most certainly “calorie free … if you don’t eat them.”
It’s my snow-pinion that this “sweet” guy is PERFECT for her! … And that we are in fact a friendship made in heaven! She bakes the “kookies” and I, well, I am happy to enjoy them!😂
Bronner’s Virtual Cookie Exchange Recipe ⇆ Swap
Do you love cookies, too? You won’t want to miss our VIRTUAL COOKIE EXCHANGE with incredible recipe shares for cookies like
- Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Peppermint Truffle Cookies
- Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Just to name a few! These recipes can be found in the comments section of the post. Sound delish?!
BRONNER’S SNOWPINIONS® GIVEAWAY!
The good news is these coveted Snowpinions® awards aren’t as exclusive as, say, an Oscar. So you can snag any one of these Snowpinions® for a loved one, and even yourself, too!
To celebrate Christmas In July, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland is giving away two Snowpinions® ornaments to one lucky winner!
To enter Bronner’s GIVEAWAY
Win Snowpinions® for a loved one and yourself by letting us know in the comments below which two you’d select with a small description of why.
For an additional entry, SHARE this post to Facebook by tagging @BronnersChristmas using the share buttons in this post. Please note, your profile must be public and Bronner’s must be tagged for extra entry to be valid.
Bronner’s Snowpinions® Giveaway Terms & Conditions
Our team will review all comments and shares submitted by 11:59 p.m. July 24 and announce a winner on JULY 25, 2023. Winner will be notified by email and have 14 days to respond.
Entrants must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and void where prohibited. Bronner’s staff and immediate family members are not eligible.
Bronner’s reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the giveaway at any time.
BRONNER’S ANNOUNCES SNOWPINIONS® GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Thank you to everyone who commented with a sweet story of which pieces you’d select and who you’d share with! We always treasure your cherished memories and traditions! Bronner’s Snowpinions® Giveaway is now CLOSED.
CONGRATULATIONS
A warm (or should it be cool?!) CONGRATULATIONS goes to SAM who chose ‘Sent This Bird To Say I Love You’ for her Mom, and ‘Life Is Short, Eat The Cookies’ for herself. (We must say, you have good taste!😉)
I would pick I Sent This Bird, and Snuggle Buddy.
Both of my grandparents passed away withing the past year (one in December, and one in June) and it’s been really rough. Cardinals remind me that they are still with me and I enjoy looking for them. I would love to hang this on my tree in honor of them both.
Snuggle buddy is my favorite way to be comfy! I love to wrap up in a big cozy blanket and read a good book.
I would be honored to hang either from my tree.
I would choose the Furry & Bright abn Kitty Christmas. They remind me of pets that have passed away.
I would choose KITTY CHRISTMAS for myself. We have 2 fur babies that we love dearly and they should be represented on our tree! I would choose SNUGGLE BUDDY for my husband. Snuggling and looking at the pretty lights on our decorated tree while drinking hot cocoa is a “wonderful life”.
I would choose Sent This Bird to Say I Love You because I lost my mom 4 years ago and she always sends me signs to show she’s with me and we would visit Bronner’s every year together. I’d also choose Life’s Short Eat the Cookies because I’ve been collecting gingerbreads for over 20 years and they’re my favorite.
I am a collector of snow babies but actually do not have one ornament one ; maybe I need to start something new ! My first pick would be “ not alone if the cat is home” my furry companion Luxie would also agree with this ( this is a well known statement I use when my husband asks if I am drinking alone while he is at work ) . My second pick would be “ I sent this bird to say I love you “ my current collection of snow babies is in a cabinet from my belated grams who passed away last august, this ornament would just add a special touch to the treat this year <3
Oh Fabulous Glass of Mine and Wine Me Up are the two I would choose, for my sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Me, my husband, and the two of them travel together several times a year, sharing a hotel room. We drove from Seattle WA to Lexington KY in five days, each with varying stages of Covid, and never argued or disagreed! They are our best friends, and we tease them they can never pass a winery up and always buy several bottles! These two ornaments represent our jokes amongst us so well, it’s almost as if the designer knows us! @BonnersChristmas.
I would pick as my two favorites FURRY & BRIGHT and LIFE IS SHORT, EAT THE COOKIES. My cousin brings her rescue dog with her when she visits. His name is Brutus. We do a Christmas cookie exchange .
My favorites are life is too short eat the cookies and snuggle buddy. Snuggle buddy reminds me of myself during the winter. I am always bundled in a blanket. Life is too short eat the cookies are words to live by. You should enjoy the holidays by doing the things you love.
My favorites:
* Life’s Short, Eat the Cookies
Me and my moms favorite tradition is our Christmas baking. Whether together or apart we do it every year!
* Sent This Bird to Say I Love You
After my Grandpa passed my Nana always said he was sending her cardinals and it brought her peace and comfort. Now that she’s passed every time I see one I think of them and all the good memories.
I have to have the Life is short, eat the cookies and Be My Snuggle Buddy! Adorable and a must have. My daughter and I have to make our girls trip to Bronners!
Love them all
Love the snuggles one. Reminds me of my golden retriever. I tell her she is my snuggle buddy. This reminds me of her. I love it.
#1 “Be my Snuggle Buddy” I love to Snuggle with my Furr-baby #2 “Not Drinking Alone if the cat is home” My Kitty is the best!
Kitty Christmas – our son is 10 and has autism. We have never had any animals because I didn’t know how he would take to them. Earlier this year, we took family photos at a local apple farm in Kentucky and for the first time ever , I saw my little boy laying in the grass petting the farm’s cat. I had never seen him so calm and with no anxiety. So we are now in the process of getting two adult cats from a family friend for our home. Our son is very excited and ready to take on the chores of helping care for them and loving them!
Life is short eat the cookies – My parents are originally from Saginaw, MI but we have lived in Kentucky for 45 years. We have a family tradition that our family has done for at least 75 years. We have a very special Santa face cookie cutter passed down and we have a family recipe to make the dough and the icing from scratch. It’s very labor intensive for us, but we do it every year in our family for special people in our lives that year. We do my son’s teachers and special friends. It’s a family tradition we will always carry on!
Life is short…eat the cookies! And One bite Zero calories! I tell my friends all the time that I took out all the calories (and I was a former dietician) Love them both!
I love Snowpinions and picked up my first one last year at Bronners! I would choose the ‘Sent This Bird to Say I Love You’ Snowpinion, to gift to my mom in memory of my grandmother who loved birds, in particular Cardinals. I truly believe she’s still here in the birds and butterflies we see throughout our days. I’d also select the ‘Life is Short, Eat the Cookies” Snowpinion, because of my love of Christmas cookies and the memory of baking batches each year, my favorite being molasses cookies!
I love both of the cookie ornaments!
There are many I like, though if I had to narrow it down to two I would choose and go your own way and you’re always in my heart. You’re always in my heart is because I lost my husband in 21′. We used to play Mr and Mrs Claus for the family. Go your own way I like because of his expression, contentment and joy on his face.