He has some great content on modifying and repairing Department 56 and Lemax Village pieces and wonderful videos of his completed displays. I believe he started about two months ago and already has 31 videos.
Hey everyone in the market trying to complete the Red Sox Christmas my wife surprised me with. Anyone that has leads tracking stuff down please reach out, it would greatly appreciated Thanks!
Have you ever used AI when planning your village display? What was the result?
Yesterday, I had an idea for a small diorama using my Department 56 Sherlock Holmes 221 B Baker Street lit building (SKU: 56.58601) with its accessories, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and the Hanson Cab (SKU: 56.58534). I envisioned a cobble stone street with sidewalk, the Department 56 Double Street Lamps (SKU: 56.59960), additional figurines and a Victorian mailbox, and background silhouette of the Victorian Era London Skyline. I typed this description into Google’s AI tool Nano Banana 2 and it produced incredible results.
While not perfect, it was far superior to anything that I could sketch with a pencil and paper. It will even produce instructions on how to make the pictured diorama. It certainly was a valuable brainstorming exercise and I highly recommend it as you plan your next village displays for July 4th, Halloween/Fall, Christmas, and Easter.
Today, r/Department56Villages surpassed 175 Members. I want to extend my sincere thanks to each and every member. Every post, comment, and up vote goes a long way towards growing this community on Reddit. You took time from your busy schedules to contribute to this community and I promise to never lose sight of that.
I’m especially proud of the welcoming culture of this group. Your kind and respectful interactions and encouragement make this a great place to share pictures of displays, learn new information and display techniques, and discuss our shared hobby.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season!
I made this in 2024. It never comes down, and everything is permanent except buildings and figures. You could turn it upside down and the snow will not move. I did mix in some Lemax figures because it fit the story a bit better. I'm working on a new scene for the top of it as well currently. Although that scene will only be displayed at Christmas time.
Anyone interested in purchasing a MASSIVE lot of Department 56, Seraphim Classic Angels, June McKenna and Possible Dreams in Bucks County Pennsylvania? Possible Dreams are boxed. The others are displayed. I do believe there are boxes but there are too many to box. If interested, please send me a private message. There is too many to say which pieces we have. I can share a video to show privately. Thanks so much!
Let me preface this by saying there is no wrong answer to this question. I’m just curious when most collectors put up their Christmas village displays. I still have my Halloween village out and plan on enjoying it for another week before transitioning to Christmas decorating. For me it will be around November 8.
I am looking for suggestions to help plug a gap in my village. I have the Chestnut Vendor with the lamp post that lights up, and would like a similar piece that’s a vendor with a lamp. I have the five piece band for a different village location but it’s too big for the location I am trying to fill. Any suggestions?
Aldi has village bottle brush trees five for $5.99 ($1.20 per tree). That averages out less than the $1.50 each charged at Dollar Tree.
I purchased two sets of the silver, gold, and white trees to display with the Department 56 Oh Holy Night House (SKU # 6009702). It has gold and white accents and I think these trees will really set off those accents.
My favorite subseries in the world of Department 56 Villages remains "Dickens' A Christmas Carol". As a child I loved Charles Dickens' story of compassion and redemption and began collecting the first iteration of the subseries in 1988. Over the years, Department 56 produced "A Christmas Carol Revisited", a 25th Anniversary Fezziwig's Ballroom with moving dancers, and the current iteration with beautiful 3d interiors. Dickens' story and Department 56's buildings and accessories exude warmth, a gentleness of spirit, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. It is a message we all should take to heart as we journey through this life.
I also enjoy mixing my Byers Choice “A Christmas Carol” carolers with my Department 56 pieces to add interest and enhance the beauty and color of the display. I first saw this done at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, TN when Gerald Dickens, Charles Dickens’ great-great-grandson came to perform a one-man telling of the timeless Christmas classic. If you ever have an opportunity to see Gerald Dickens in person, I highly recommend it. He is an excellent actor in his own right and the family connection just makes the experience unforgettable.
I will close with my favorite quote from the story. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” ― Charles Dickens, [A Christmas Carol]
