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Monday, December 23, 2013

Miniature Christmas Village History and Modern Makers

The tradition of setting up magical Christmas Villages on tabletops and mantels across America, began as a tradition of the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination, and has continued to evolve over the last 130 years.
Originally set under the Christmas tree, 'Putz' houses, as they were called, were typically made from cardboard and mostly manufactured in Japan and Germany. For a thorough history of Christmas Villages, visit Family Christmas Online and for instructions on how to build your own glittered 'Putz' house visit Cardboard Christmas.

DIY-Putz Houses from Cardboard Christmas
Department 56 Ceramics https://www.department56.com/home.do
Modern Makers of the the ceramic Christmas Villages, which have become staples for the American Christmas Collector, include Department 56, a Minnesota based company whose collections range from their original Snow Village, Dickens Village, Alpine Village, to more contemporary themed villages like Disney's Frozen and Downton Abbey.
Department 56 Dickens Village
Department 56 Alpine Village
Department 56-Downton Abbey Village
Lemax Christmas Village
Another growing Christmas collectibles maker Lemax, offers merry miniaturists a variety of villages, including a Victorian Christmas Village, Santa's Wonderland, Vail Village, Caddington Village, and numerous collectible enhancements and figurines sure to complete your Christmas Village wonderland.
Lemax-Santa's Wonderland
Lemax Vail Village
Lemax Caddington Collection
 And finally, the Bradford Exchange, is also a great source for limited edition collectibles, especially if your taste ranges a bit outside of Christmas. Their wide array of collectible collections include the Nightmare Before Christmas Village, Star Wars Galatic Village and Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collectibles. 
Bradford Exchange-Nightmare Before Christmas Collection
Bradford Exchange-Star Wars Galactic Village
Thomas Kinkade-Christmas House-Bradford Exchange
So, if you haven't started your miniature village collection, perhaps one of these collections will inspire future Holidays full of magical miniatures and diorama dreams. Happy Holidays!

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