Department 56

At Christmas time, many people put out their Christmas village collection, displaying it on a mantle or some other prominent place. One popular brand of Christmas village houses and collectibles is called Department 56. You can find this collection at many fine retail stores and online.

Department 56 has many different villages to choose from. If you wish, purchase a village church, school house, retail shop, restaurant or gas station from Department 56. You can find these items in the various lines of villages in various themes such as Alpine Village, Christmas in the City, New England, Snow Village, North Pole and Dickens.

Department 56 villages and collectibles offer gorgeous colors and buildings that look incredibly realistic. Besides the lighted buildings, many accessory pieces are available including some with motion and sound to make your village come to life.

Department 56 buildings average around $65 and accessories are around $15, but when they are well cared for they can be a beautiful heirloom to pass down from generation to generation. You can decorate a home for Christmas throughout the years. Men, women and children all seem to enjoy setting up villages and showing their creativity and individuality when displaying them. Collectors clubs across the country have village fever.

Department 56 also makes a popular Halloween village line for those village fans who can't wait for Christmas ever year to display theirs.