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I have lots of favorite Christmas decorations as evidenced by the boxes I have been dragging in the house the past few days!
One of my favorite decorations is my North Pole Village from Department 56. I began collecting these several years ago, and at first I was buying 3 or 4 of them each year. I've slowed way down on that, and haven't added to the collection in a while. In fact last year, the houses didn't even get unpacked!
This is the first year that I've put them on my sideboard. The ones along the top spell out the letters NORTH POLE.
The Beard Barber shop was a gift from my daughter Kelli, and the Popcorn and Cranberry House is one of her favorites.
The Peanut Brittle Factory is one of the last ones I bought-from EBAY. If you're interested in buying any of them you can get them for great prices off EBAY. Guess lots of people like me got carried away and no longer want to go to the trouble to put them out!
Santa's Woodworks is one of my husband's favorites.
The North Pole Express Depot was the very first house I bought.
The worse part about decorating with the houses is getting them inside and out of their boxes. Once you get past that part, setting them up is fun! I used lots of crystal pine cones and garland. To cover up cords I used batting behind the houses and garland on top to hang down the sides.
I mentioned to my daughter the other day that I might donate them to Merrehope (see Saturday's post) or to Hope Village for children. She said emphatically NO!
This year I sent quite a few of the ones I didn't use to her house to help decorate Connor and Cooper's room. Maybe one day soon she will do a post on them.
Do any of you display a village? Please share your tips on display with a comment.
Please visit Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for other Favorite Things!
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My grandmother and most of my dads family lived in Meridan for most of my life.
Awww, I love all of them! I only have one piece similar to these. I got a church the year we got married (Dec. 21st!) and keep meaning to add to it. I bet they look BEAUTIFUL all lit up together!
Your village looks great...I have the original snow village and I have also bought a few pieces off of ebay for much less.
They are all so beautiful! That is a collections to be proud of for sure. I saw you on Thrifty Decor Chick.
I LOVE all of your houses, they are very cute!! I collect the Lemax Spooky Town collection for Halloween but actually didn't get around to putting it out this year either so I feel ya, hehe. I want to start collecting the Lemax Christmas collection but just haven't. I've been busy this year making things instead :-) Happy day!
They are beautiful, and the sideboard (is that what you called it?) was gorgeous. I was just admiring one yesterday in an antique store. Save them for your daughter & grandchildren if you decide they're not worth the bother. My MIL and SIL's collect them, and my daughter has begged my MIL for hers when she tires of it...but I have a feeling, she will give it to her other granddaughter (2 d's?). I'm glad you put it out this year...even if it was a lot of work! ;O)
Diane I love your new Christmas blog dress girl...and those villages are just too pretty I still have all of mine yet to set up...but girl what I am drooling over is that side board...WOW!! now I need a close up of that awesome piece it looks like tiger oak..and I am not kidding you I drooled over that..I love those antiques as you know and thats one fine piece..thanks for sharing...hugs and smiles Gloria
I LOVE your beautiful Christmas village!
Diane, these are wonderful!!! Look at how many you have and what a variety! This is so much fun, and I know how much the boys and the entire family must love them!
Thanks so much for sharing. I am amazed that you are all decorated!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Oh Diane, your village is beautiful! It looks so pretty on your hutch! Great picture! Have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Maryjane
Your North Pole Village is beautiful. Your blog header is very nice too! I've been a secret reader of your blog and wanted to give you an award in celebration of my 50th birthday. So come on by and see for yourself. Enjoy! Connie
Diane,
Love your village. I'm hooked on Christmas Villages. I have a large village, mostly Lemax, in my basement. I leave it up year round. I'll post pic's on my blog shortly.
Merry Christmas!
Very pretty, Diane!
About 15 years ago, I thought I would start a collection...and get one new house a year...well, after a few of years, it was clear that I really did not have the space to display them all, lol. So, I think I have 3 of them and then maybe some off-brand ones, too...not really sure, I haven't pulled them out of storage in years...isn't that terrible?
I should take a look around and find a spot for them, I bet my 4yo would love them...I think I will! Thanks for the kick in the pants, Diane! lol ;)
Take care,
Bella
Diane, I love your header and your wonderful village. It is set up so beautifully. I too have a much smaller village all Victorian and I love it. Thank you for sharing your lovely village. I am sure the boys will love to have some too.
You won't believe what we woke up to this am. We are snowed in.
Our drive way is steep and paved but hard to drive on when there is snow. That means we stay home. I guess that means I will be finishing our decorating today. That is a good thing.
I need to put Bing's White Christmas on now. My dh is still in bed, he has a surprise in store when he gets up. lol.
Hugs...Jeanne
So cute...I love those villages. My husbands loves Mayberry..we have that village..it's cute!
-sandy toes
I have always wanted to collect a Dept 56 village, but I live in such tight spaces there's no room for one. I really enjoy looking closely at others' though, including yours.
So whimsical and lovely...it never fails that I stop on the aisle of any store that displays Christmas Village scenes...maybe someday...but in the meantime I'll enjoy looking at yours. That side board is a lovely place for your display and I like your banner too!
Hope you have a fantastic first day of December!
Morning Diane! I can understand why Kelli would say "NO"! These are gorgeous and the display is very Christmas!! Love them. I started off with a few non-name houses and wish I kept collecting them. This inspired me to rethink and begin again!!!lol Very very pretty display. Sincerely, Jeannette
I love this post Diane.
I wasn't going to get my little village out, but I think I will now. You've inspired me and the little munchkins will love it! I have a few pieces from dept 56. Some, other than dept 56, are from Walmart and Michael's etc. I had the village set up on a folding table in the studio for our house tour. I did it in levels and used batting. It actually looked like snow.
There is a shop on Main St, historic St Charles, that sells dept 56. Everything is displayed beautifully. We try to visit S Main during the Christmas season and I always visit that shop. It's in a Victorian house, so appropriate for the villages. J enjoys seeing all the displays as much as I do. Fun to wander from room to room.
I think the way you've displayed yours, as shown in the top photo, is perfect.
I absolutely LOVE this collection. And how you have it displayed is just awesome.
I am sharing a story about two Christmas gifts today. Hope you can stop by. Have a great Monday.
Oh I love these! I have a small set but nothing expensive...I got mine at the dollar store to decorate a window for a retail place and when they went out of business the owner gave them to me...so this will be the first year I use mine.
Love these! I love the one with peanut brittle!
Morning, Diane! I love your precious little village and love your sideboard maybe a little bit more! ;) I always think these are just the cutest things. Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Oh, how neat! I love it!
now that's also my favorite things.
love it so much!
EVERYTHING IS GORGEOUS.I HAVE TAGGED YOU.PLEASE COME BY MY PLACE FOR THE INFO...ANN
No, I don't do a village. I couldn't afford it when they first came out, as they were so expensive, and I was so very limited in funds. I've always admired them, however.
Your collection is delightful. I can't see how it says, "NORTH POLE."
Your villages look great. I would love to start collecting them, I do not have a one! Although I have no place to put them at the moment that I the little one wouldn't get into...So maybe one day!
They are beautiful Diane. I can only imagine the work needed to get them in and out of their boxes :)
I have a collection of Byers figurines that take up too much room. I do like them though.
take care,
Dawn
This is absolutely beautiful! And I think that pretty sideboard is what makes it!!
I don't collect anything now because I have little hands (three sets;)) that think EVERYTHING is a toy! Wouldn't change it for the world, though!
Thanks for sharing!
G'day from Australia. I came here on Quintessential Magpie's advice. We used to buy peanut brittle when I was a kid, so this post struck a chord.
Hey Diane!!!! Oh I have missed you! lol What a great new header pic and this post is glorious girl...I love this collection but oh my word girl...I am drooling over that treasure of a sideboard you have there...lordy girl that thing is gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for coming by & checking on me and for the prayers & support sweetie...hope you have a wonderful day!
I love your village...it's so cute.
Years ago...when my 2 sons were little, I painted a Ceramic Village with about 12 buildings...and miscellaneous things. I put it up for many years...then got rid of it. I don't remember why I got rid of it...but actually don't miss it.
~Blessings,
Jan
I LOVE your village. I have one that I put out again this year after not using it for a few years. I didn't put all the figurines out though because of the kitten...ugg!!
Love your new header!!
How beautiful; and the perfect place to display them! It is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your house.
Very nice Diane, I like how you have it on your old side board. I do have a village, not out yet this year but soon. I enjoy mine, mostly Northpole series with some Thomas Kinkade houses ( same scale) added in. I will be posting some of mine when I get a chance during the holidays. I made and painted my own back drop for it, it really makes it.
And I agree on the boxes!! Once it is up it is fun though.
Linda
Oh, your village is so pretty. I also like your new header.
I love Christmas villages...they are just so much fun to look at. My mom has a fairly nice collection and it was one of my favorite parts of Christmas decorating. I love your header...it looks so festive!
Diane I love your village, I always admire them in the stores. I know they add such warmth to your house at Christmas time but I can appreciate the work in setting up and taking down!
Diane,
I've never collected them but I have a friend that has two of them. I love it because she sets them on her front entryway table and they serve as a night light. I love the little trees that you displayed with yours...nice touch to the village. :-)
Hello Diane, I know these are a ton of work to put out, but they are so beautiful!!!!! I have always admired them and enjoy seeing them. Thanks for sharing. Nancy
Hi Diane...what is it about these wonderful Christmas Villages that attract us so? I've got a porcelain one & my very favorite wooden one that I'm going to post later...I don't blame Kelli for saying "NO!"...Dep't. 56 is such a wonderful heirloom to pass on to her & the boys! Thanks for showing this to us! ;-) Bo
OHHH I love depart. 56..I collect the haunted village. I have not added to it in several years either. I love yours! It is displayed perfectly. cherry
Oh, you go all out! Good for you! I've always loved these little villages...I've wanted to collect old, vintage ones (the one with the sparkly roofs and fake snow) but fear if I start collecting them I won't be able to stop. :-)
Wow! I can't believe all the pieces you have! I'm jealous!
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