For many, one of the most highly anticipated events each Christmas is the re-appearance of a loved one’s Department 56 village – carefully arranged and growing each year with the addition of new buildings, figures, and landscapes. In our Christmas Shop, we’re excited to have three of the most treasured villages in our collection.
The Original Snow Village
It’s the one that started it all – The Original Snow Village began with just a few lighted buildings, but over the years it’s grown piece by piece into the cherished collection it is today. Depicting classic neighborhood sights like ice-skating rinks, Santa’s Wonderland, churches, and small businesses, the Original Snow Village is probably the village most like your own community of houses, shops, and favorite places to meet up with friends and family. Of course, every community has that one house that drains the power grid with a ridiculous light display – and in the Snow Village, it’s the Griswold home. An exciting development for the family this year is the addition of the in-ground pool that Clark was finally able to see through.
Christmas in the City
Like the setting in so many of our favorite holiday movies, Christmas in the City captures the energy and unique brand of activity that enlivens a big city at Christmastime. Inspired by cultural trends from the 1930’s and ‘40’s, the colorful lights, festive decorations, and dramatic skyline create the scene. There’s so much to see and do, and everyone’s bustling to get to the next destination – to grab a bite from the street vendor, to get that last-minute shopping done, or to catch the subway before it leaves. In this exciting collection, skyscrapers stand tall above busy train stations and packed diners as neighbors meet to chat in front of classic brownstone homes.
Dickens’ Village
Dickens’ Village brings to life the Victorian world of Charles Dickens and the classic stories he wrote. This village is everything you want Victorian England to be – complete with quaint stone buildings, cobblestone streets, top hats, and petticoats. For many, Dickens’ Village represents the most traditional of the Department 56 villages with the most iconic pieces depicting scenes from Dickens’ treasured book A Christmas Carol.
Build on a Collection – or Start a New One
Whether the next piece you bring home finds a spot in an established collection or represents the beginning of a new one, building on a treasured Department 56 village is one of the magical things about Christmas. We hope you’ll stop by and take a look at our collection of these classic Christmas collectibles – and if you need any help finding the right piece this Christmas season, just let us know. We’re happy to help!
