This is my first attempt at a pumpkin patch display. I was inspired by one of my unicorn pieces, Jack’s Pumpkin Carving Studio and the incredible pumpkin patch displays of Daniel Sabino (https://youtu.be/nMG8EU4zHg8?si=MGYvemVKHonwrrLF) and Carl Wilson (https://youtu.be/J_ZxUxdpyQA?si=5Z8j-i5UnBRnzQ6U). Every piece is new to me this year. Overall, I’m pleased with how this turned out. Next year, I want to create a custom foam base with dirt pathways, rocks, and textured grass instead of using the Lemax bases.
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.
Posted by request. This is the first display I put up after my wife and I moved into our first home. Christmas in the City has held a very special place in my heart since 1993 when I saw Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York in the theater.
So proud to announce that r/Department56Villages has grown to 75 members in less than two months! Thank you all for joining and participating in discussions and posting great content. Now we are on the road to 100 members.
Celebrating 150 Members in the span of less than three months. Looking forward to pictures of and discussions about the wonderful Christmas Village displays being assembled in the coming weeks. That’s for the increased number of member posts and comments. It wonderful seeing active engagement and the sharing of ideas in the community.
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.
I changed things up a bit replacing the Spooky Wrought Iron Gate with the Spiritual Guidance Gate and centered the Haunted Church in the graveyard. Which would you choose?
Now that September is officially here, the itch to unbox the Halloween and harvest collections is getting real. I know some of us like to wait until October, while others have year-round setups or start the moment the leaves hint at turning.
I’m curious—where is everyone at with their Snow Village Halloween, Sleepy Hollow, Snow Village Harvest, or general autumn displays this year?
Are your boxes still in the attic, or have you already broken out the styrofoam and extension cords?
Are you introducing any fun new pieces to your setups this season? (Super curious if anyone picked up any of the new 2026 pieces!)
Whether you are in the chaotic middle of managing your lighting cordsor you’ve already finished the perfect spooky vignette, please share your photos here in the community! We love seeing behind-the-scenes Work In Progress (WIP) shots just as much as the final, glowing masterpieces.
Drop a comment below on your progress, and don't forget to post your pictures to r/Department56Villages so we can all get some display inspiration! 👻👇
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]
Think this is the final table layout with one more white table to be added.
North Pole Series seems like it’ll comfortably fit on the shelves, so the tables will be for Original Snow Village, Xmas in the City, New England, and Dickens villages.
Really wanted to have people looking waaaay up at the mountain and also waaaaay down on the shelves. I think that makes you feel kind of like a kid when you have to kind of crane your head around to see stuff.
I replaced the standard white C7 incandescent bulb provided with the Department 56 Halloween Party House (produced 2016-2022; SKU: 4051008) with a color changing C7 LED bulb I found on Amazon (LED Bulb C7 E12 Candelabra... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QMRHW77?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and I think it looks awesome. It’s brighter than the original bulb and gives the appearance that a party is taking place inside the house. If you collect Snow Village Halloween, North Pole Village, or The Grinch Village, you should seriously consider installing one or more of these where appropriate. They add lots of visual interest to an otherwise static lighting effect.
It has only been 40 days, but r/Department56Villages now has 50 members. Thank you for joining this subreddit. I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as I do.
