how to paint Christmas village houses?
There’s something calming and magical about Christmas village houses.
*This post contains some affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.*
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. She has always been amazing with a paint brush 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…
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.
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.
DIY Christmas Village Houses Supplies:
- unpainted ceramic village houses/pieces – many of ours came from R&R Ceramics, an online storefront out of Arkansas. If you’re lucky, you’ll find them at the Dollar Store or Michaels.
- acrylic paint
- detail paintbrush set(you’ll want a variety of brushes)
- acrylic spray sealer (pick a sheen and stick with it for all pieces to keep a uniform look)
I hope that you each have a blessed and wonderful holiday.
- Department 56, Dickens Village Series
- Department 56, Snow Village Series
- Department 56, North Pole Village Series
- Department 56, Disney Christmas Village
- Department 56, Peanuts Christmas Series
Stephanie says
I have an interior brick fireplace that was clad in the ugly putty pink exterior brick used on the outside.(Its bad) It has wierd textured cut lines throughout. I painted the brick white and i still hate it. can I still do a mortar smear or a concrete finish if the brick is already painted with a solid coat?
Heather says
I haven’t tried that myself, Stephanie, so I can’t give you a definite. But I wouldn’t think it would be an issue to try it at all!
Lisa says
Going to do the German Smear on my cheap faux brick backsplash as the first step in updating my kitchen. TY for sharing all this info
Heather says
That’s awesome Lisa!! Would love if you let me know how it goes!! And if you have any questions, email me!! I’m always looking to make sure the tutorial for the german smear we’ve made is as good as possible!! Good luck!!
Lora says
Thank you for including my post about painting brick!