Department 56 Snow Village is a collectible series of lighted ceramic buildings and accessories designed to build into a miniature holiday village, with new pieces released each year alongside an established collection. The idea was born in 1976, inspired by the sight of a real, old-fashioned village all lit up and decorated for Christmas. Here’s an introduction to Snow Village, how to start and grow a collection, and display tips from our Mulhalls Home + Holiday team.
How to Start Your Collection
Begin with one building you love as an anchor piece. Add realism and life to the scene with decorative pieces such as figures, trees, and lighting, then expand the community with additional buildings, each complete with its own surrounding details. You can start with as few or as many pieces as you like — most collectors build a display gradually over several years.
Tips for an Inviting Department 56 Display
Creating a believable, likelike scene is key. We recommend considering the following.
- Use vertical space. Build multiple levels with hidden blocks, small boxes, or foam to create visual height and depth, must like a real neighborhood.
- Plan your layout like a real community. Group homes in a residential area, a busy “downtown” in another, and more rural scenes around the perimeter.
- Keep electrical cords out of sight. Run wires through foam blocks where needed and hide the rest with moss, faux snow, or other natural materials.
- Layer your snow for a natural look. Start with a white blanket or quilt batting as a base layer, then add loose artificial snow for realistic glitter and detail.
- Bring the scene to life with figures and accessories. Lampposts, trees, busy shoppers, and families skating on a pond tell a story of activity and joy in your village.
For more information on our collectibles, check out our Christmas Collectibles Guide, then visit us in store to explore the best Department 56 Villages collection in Omaha.