The artist uses a palette that is filled with colors like, white, blue, and gray to convey the wintry theme in this composition. The man pouring himself a shot of vodka is painted with warm colors to symbolize that within the coldness of the landscape his spirit is warm and will not surrender to the elements. The church structures in the background are highlighted with gold paint. It is interesting to note that the artist makes the gold in the cupola bead up so that there is a circular depth to the structure. The box is constructed out of paper-mache made in the village of Mstera.
Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior and red lacquer to paint the interior of the piece.
The box has a hinge to its left and rests on four rounded feet.