I use several long lengths of white fabric and then the snow. First length is to cover the table surface so no matter what you see there's a white base on the surface. Then I place the houses and any other large pieces that might go with the "village" where I want them on top of this first layer. Next length gets draped so I have little hills and valleys. You're making snow mounds.It takes some fussing to get it to look good but it's worth it. Then IF I feel like it or still feel I need it I will dig out the "snow" and do with it the same thing I just did with the second layer. Make little mounds, go over what I did with the fabric but not to heavy. Let some of the fabric show thru here and there. The thing to remember is you are trying to make it look like a snowy landscape. The hills should in most cases not be too high you want to be able to see your houses.
It's really a matter of playing with it. I know some years I can put the thing together the first try thru others I look at it and think "WHY AM I doing this to myself".
If for some reason you want your houses up higher or at varying heights you can slide a inverted bowl under the bottom layer of fabric and place the houses on the bowls. Don't use books they unless the pieces are very large cause the corners will show thru.

I saw that Pampers commercial, too. Made me teary eyed. ;)

One of our local funeral homes already has the building and their street sign decorated with wreaths and garland. I told my daughter that if I was to die before Thanksgiving, not to use that funeral home. I don't want people taking about the funeral home being decorated before Thanksgiving and not talking about what a lovely service I had. lol :)

I use a snow blanket and then some of the snow. I now have way to many nutcrackers and I usually display them above my entertainment center. I put down a thin layer of Styrofoam and a snow blank I will put some small thin boxes in different areas under the blanket for some height for some of the nutcrackers. I use the styrofoam so I can place some picks in there also.

The fact that you are asking this on nov whatever is frankly sick.

This from a woman with eight trees set up mind you....but still you dork....sick!