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…
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.
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 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.
I hope that you each have a blessed and wonderful holiday.
Too much to do over the holiday season? I get it COMPLETELY. Here are some Dept. 56 Christmas village houses you can buy!
Looking for more Christmas craftiness? Be sure to check these ideas out, too!
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!
Before you leave…it’s hard to enjoy the holiday season when we look around and all we see is clutter. Take control of the clutter, so you can truly relax this Christmas – our free Christmas decluttering guide will help! I’ve reserved a free copy for you. Grab it here! ⤵
E Scott Harris says
I am looking for a DIY bank building for my Christmas village. If you have any info on this can you please contact me.
THANKS
Heather says
Did you look at https://www.rrceramics.com/ ?? That’s where I found a TON of my village pieces.
Chase says
Hello, I have a village that my grandma painted for my mom a long time ago and we cant figure out the brand, do you know the brand of the butcher and country store buildings in the pictures above?
Heather says
Hi Chase, they are called “Wee Village”
Jasmin says
I am having the hardest time finding unpainted village houses in stores. I don’t want to order them online because I’d love to see how big they are and what the quality is like on them. Any tips on which stores might have them? I’ve checked Hobby Lobby and Michaels as well as several little artsy stores around town. Even Amazon doesn’t have much!
Heather says
I feel your pain Jasmin!! I was in the same boat for a while. The best places I’ve found are the following:
1. eBay…here’s a link to the search I just did for the brand that many of our village pieces are from: http://bit.ly/2Ch2rZw
2. a family owned store in Arkansas that I found online, and their selection is AMAZING. Now, it IS online, but all the sizing is listed there: https://www.bisqueceramics.com/
Good luck, and let me know if you find pieces you love!! Heather
Amanda says
Hi! I’m so glad you posted about this, you have no idea.
My mother had a great collection of painted snow village houses she would put out at Christmas time. They were her favorite. She passed away 10 years ago and her husband threw most of her belongings away (much to my heartbreak). I’ve been searching for the houses she painted ever since. I remember she was very particular about the brand but I don’t know what it was called – but the blue church with snow on the roof that your mother painted is one she used to have!! Do you happen to know the name of that brand?
Heather says
Hi Amanda! I’m so touched to read your comment, and hear that these villages were a special part of your Christmas and your relationship with your mom, as it is very much the same for me. The little blue church is one I painted when I was around 8, but I know what the brand is, and I found one that’s available…MANY, in fact! Here’s a link to the church and other items in the set on ebay: http://bit.ly/2QBaqoY …the exact product is no longer made, but you can find whole sets of the same kind on ebay still. It’s from “Wee Crafts”. Hope that helps, and let me know!! Happy holidays!! Heather
Tracey says
My grandma used to paint all kinds of things, but her houses were amazing. She didn’t go for the real life look, but colorful and happy. One trick she used was to put a piece of scotch tape over the windows to diffuse the light. As a stroke of brilliance, at least to us kids, she put little dots of paint on the tape for the churches to make stained glass windows. I have a few of her houses and I think I may see if the kids want to paint.
Heather says
Tracey, her village sounds wonderful! What a great idea for stained glass windows! I hope you get those pieces out and get the kids going on them. Who knows, they may love it and the tradition can continue 🙂 Happy holidays!
Sandra says
What a lovely tradition to start with your daughter!
Lilly's Mom says
What a lovely display you have made. And, I'm sure that it means so much to you with all the memories that are wrapped up in each piece. It will be a keepsake to be passed down in your family. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Susan Clayton says
Your village is lovely. I am thinking of all the things one learns creating something special year by year….Wonderful post. I'll be including a Pick of the Week link to it on my post Scandinavian Tendencies at Eclectic Shorebird. I won't be including a picture unless you contact me and give permission. Glad to have found your lovely blog at Feathered Nest Friday.
avery street design says
Thanks so much for linking up to found & foraged!!! We are doing it early this week because InLinkz is doing maintenance tomorrow night, so I hope you'll come again and join us tonight at 8 central! These little houses are darling. I have to admit I always linger over these villages in stores, and yes, you can totally get lost in them! Adorable. 🙂 xo, Laura
Melissa says
I love this! My kids would go crazy for this table! So sweet!
Victoria says
Just stumbled across your blog via Pinterest, your little village is gorgeous!!! I wanted one for years but like you…the price was too much for us…then my husband and I found some ceramic houses several years ago at our local Big Lots for only $10 to $12 a piece. They only carried them for 2 years and we have 5 pieces total but they're really very nice, better quality than a lot of the plastic ones we've seen and they came with tree's and people. Later on I got a wine shoppe and little gazebo from Joanne's. Love yours!!!
Carla says
I've never heard of this. What type of paint do you use? Sounds like an awesome tradition.
Heather says
Hi Carla! It's just basic, inexpensive acrylic paint. Then, you can use antiquing mediums, spray snow, matte or glossy spray finishes at the end if you choose…possibilities are endless, but all the supplies are inexpensive 🙂
In My Prime Time says
So glad to find your blog – I have never met someone else
that painted villages ~ you have lovely pieces. I am inspired
to start painting again!
All the best to you, Mimi
http://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com
Heather says
So glad to meet you Mimi! Glad to know there are a few of us out there!! Looking forward to checking out your blog as well. Happy Holidays!