It doesn’t matter whether you live in the hot and humid tropics of Hawaii or the cold and snowy lands of Norway—wherever you are, creating a Department 56 Christmas Village in your home brings the wintery festive season to you! If you’re looking for a way to curate your Christmas decorations and make all 12 days of Christmas cheery and bright, it’s time to take up a hobby this holiday. Get a closer look at the most popular village series Department 56 has to offer to find inspiration for your own!
The History of Department 56 Christmas Villages
In 1976, when a group of friends got a glimpse at an old-fashioned town decked head to toe with softly glowing lights and freshly fallen snow, a game-changing idea was born. Department 56, a division of Bachman’s in Minneapolis, took inspiration from the charming village, producing six lighted ceramic miniature buildings. That first Department 56 Christmas Village series flew off the shelves—and the rest is history.
Still produced today, Department 56 now works tirelessly to release new series, figurines, and other sought-after Christmas collectibles. Some people spend hours, days, and years searching for retired Department 56 finds, while others eagerly await the annual update—there’s something for everyone!
Are Department 56 Christmas Village Buildings Worth Anything?
While there are a select couple of Department 56 Christmas collectibles worth thousands, the average village building can be found for under $100. That’s not to say that they’re not a worthy investment. Plenty of series are still sought out by passionate collectors at antique malls near Florida, for example, who are willing to pay a pretty penny to complete their village. The best way to understand the potential value of Department 56 Christmas Village pieces is through an official appraisal or online forum.
The Most Valuable Department 56 Christmas Village Buildings:
Mint Condition Empire State Building: $675
Boss Shirley’s House: $1300 to $1500
Todd and Margo’s House: $1920
5 Most Collectible Department 56 Christmas Village Series
If you’re looking to start your own collection of Department 56 Christmas Village pieces, begin by determining which design speaks to you and matches the rest of your vintage holiday decorations. Take a look at these five popular core and licensed village collections:
1. Dickens’ Village Series
From the iconic ghostly figures of past, present, and future to the grim yet beautiful look of Victorian England, nothing screams the holidays quite like Charles Dickens' novel, A Christmas Carol. If you love hosting traditional Christmas celebrations or lighting candles in your window frames each night of the season, the quaint and historic buildings of the Dickens’ Village series are perfect for you.
Set the scene for Ebeneezer Scrooge to learn his lessons with a plethora of well-dressed, period-accurate figurines and snowcapped Tudor-style buildings. Don’t forget to turn the lights on at night to give your Dickens’ village that straight-out-of-a-storybook glow!
2. Christmas in the City Series
If you’ve ever dreamed of spending the holidays in New York City—you’re not alone. The Christmas in the City series brings those dreams to life with hand-painted porcelain buildings designed to mimic the hustle and bustle of the city, including charmingly painted shops, a breathtakingly lit miniature City Hall, and tiny replicas of iconic Manhattan styles of architecture. Bring the festive city spirit to your home, wherever you are, with this timeless yet nostalgic Department 56 Christmas Village.
When you’re setting up your Christmas in the City Village, don’t forget the little details. Department 56 sells accessories and non-building objects such as city sidewalks, taxi cabs, and lamp posts to bring your scene to life.
3. North Pole Series
The North Pole Series is the first village design to have a Santa character—and each building is as whimsical and beautiful as you could imagine. The entire set put together paints a picture of a whimsical North Pole, where Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves work tirelessly in gingerbread-built workshops and dessert-shaped storefronts to produce toys for children around the world.
If you’re looking for a way to involve your children in decorating for the holidays, this is it! The North Pole series brings out the inner child in all of us. Find a colorful building at an Indiana antique mall to start your collection.
4. The Original Snow Village Series
Feeling nostalgic for the Christmas mornings of your youth? Feature a slice of classic all-American life by setting up buildings from the Original Snow Village series in your home. Bring old-school Main Street to life with rustic cars, red and green shops, and starter home silhouettes—not to mention the adorable character figurines of dogs, families, and couples.
As the original series, the vintage versions of this Department 56 Christmas line can be quite valuable. Take your time hunting down a matching set, and you may strike gold! Display it with pride somewhere prominent in your home, complete with snowy landscaping, bottle brush trees, and warm fuzzy lighting.
5. New England Village Series
Though the New England Village is a retired Department 56 series, it’s remains one of the most sought-out collections in American antique malls and flea markets—and with good reason! There’s something beautiful and rustic about an East Coast Christmas, and this series has it all, from the white steepled churches and quaint bed and breakfasts too the ice-skating and quilting figurines.
If you’re looking to celebrate simpler times this holiday season, consider setting up this nostalgic and charming scene where anyone can see. Maybe you can even serve a New England-style Christmas dinner to really sell the theme!
Helpful Things to Have On Hand to Set Up a Department 56 Christmas Village:
Various-sized light bulbs
Adapters
Power cords
Fake snow
Wood boards and boxes
Where Can You Buy Vintage Department 56 Christmas Villages?
Since it’s been putting out Christmas collectibles for nearly 50 years, Department 56 Christmas Villages can be found just about anywhere. From discarded storage boxes at thrift sales to curated shelves in a Highland antique mall booth, your best bet for buying these retired Department 56 sets is shopping in person. But, throughout the year, make sure you’re checking online auctions as well—you never know what you may find!
This year, start your holidays off right with your very own Department 56 Christmas Village. From the twinkly lights to the personalized aesthetic, what’s not to love about this timeless and festive hobby? Find your first piece at a Florida antique mall near you.
