Dept. 56 Christmas Village Houses at Dollar Store Prices

There’s something calming and magical about Christmas village houses.

As a child, my favorite thing to do during the holidays was to curl up under the tree, next to my Mom’s ceramic village, and while away the hours just looking and imagining.

I adore Christmas stores…especially ones with the big Department 56 layouts. I love all the intricate little details of those ceramic wonderlands.

Problem is, the price tags are enough to twist that love into loathing.

My Mom’s Christmas village was not the typical store-bought-pre-finished variety. Somehow, she won a full Currier & Ives set back in the day.

Mom has always been amazing with a paintbrush in hand, and I loved watching her work.

When I was about 8, she got me an inexpensive ceramic church from the craft store and told me that I could start my own set, if I wanted to. Of course, I did! Here’s my church, painted circa age 8…

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That was the beginning. And for many years, around Thanksgiving time, I’d start to work painting a new piece for my village.

Just 17 years later (yes, that does make me 25) I now have a nice little Christmas town for my family to enjoy, at a FRACTION of the cost of a pre-painted set.

NO, this is ABSOLUTELY NOT a quick and easy project. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

But, it is an endeavor that you will take immense pride in, when complete. And it is also a project that your family, and hopefully generations to follow, will pass down and make part of their own holiday traditions.

Many craft stores carry unpainted village pieces. There are also some great online sources. Here is the basic supply list you’ll need to tackle this project.

I do have a few actual Dept. 56 pieces that I’ve acquired for Christmas presents, etc. No buildings though, just people and accessories. The little campfire crew below is one of those pieces.

This year, my daughter, who is 6, wants to paint her first ceramic ornament. I am hoping she falls in love with these projects as much as I did. Sharing a love of painting is the perfect Christmas gift for me to give.

It’s one that I was blessed that my mother gave to me, and I am hopeful that my daughter will continue the tradition.

Giving thanks this day for all of my old and new-found blog-reading and blogging friends out there in cyberspace.

Pin this idea for later? Did you try it? Leave a comment on the pin! That will help others decide whether they’d like to try creating their own paintable Christmas village, too!