My first time posting on this forum, hope I am welcome!

The majority of my houses are from Joanns, but I just buy the ones that appeal to me, and put them all together! I have the "full size" ones, and the small ones Joanns had when I started this collection.

I have displayed them many different ways: on a mantle that was about 12" deep; on the hearth of same fireplace, didn't care for that idea; on a square coffee table, that was really my all time fave; on top of the frig, these are kitchen related houses; on the tv throne, whatever incarnation that is at the moment; and now with a bay window, we use a 4' banquet table with a chip board top cut to fit the angles, and this year I am adding a 6' banquet table in the living room behind the couch for the "children related things", actually practicing for the "grands", none in sight but practice makes perfect!

The first thing I do is clean the blinds and windows in the bay (just did that today), and then hang glittery snowflakes from the valance, and this year I am adding snowflake lights I found. This sort of sets the scene in my mind.

I start the table by putting on levels, books, boxes or whatever, I like my houses at different heights to give more interest; add something to cover that all up and hide the colors so they don't show through the sheets that I use next; place the houses and figures; then the trees and "shrubs", which are stuff I have collected that is greenery cut apart, these hide cords and such; and then I sprinkle on the snow stuff that makes a great big mess but really makes it look real! I try to hide the cords in the folds of the sheeting, actually used to use batting on top of the sheets, cut holes and threaded all the cords through, I am nearly so perfect anymore!

I always have a "town square", with a skating rink, just an old mirror from the handheld bathroom one, and I like a sledding hill, and an outdoor "eating area", just sort of the perfect little town in my mind. The church is always on the highest hill, with the parson's house next door, the shops are at the other end, with houses inbetween. Or however I like the looks of it! Never the same twice!

When I am all done with this display, which takes about 2 days of fiddling, I just sit and lose myself in my little created town. I guess it signifies a perfect life or something to me.

I don't know if this is what you are looking for in direction, ask questions please! I enjoy sharing my village every year, last Christmas a family was giving token gifts to all the neighbors, and commented on what they could see in the bay window as they walked up, I invited them in, and it was so fun to make new "friends" that way!

Incidentally, I am going to sell several my houses, my collection is just too big! If anyone is interested, they will be good prices.

Merry Christmas and Peace to all,

Lynne
just a Navy mom

Lynne how about some photos!!! Your display sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Remember that Twilight Zone episode when the fellow actually went into the display Dollhouse and ended up living there? In his perfect world.

Lynne, your "town" sounds just perfect. Can you post pictures? I would love to see it. And ,by the way, yes you are welcome here. I have not been here long, but you will find the best people here. Donna

Please share your pictures. Meanwhile, I found a site that has detailed instructions to create realistic villages. I just bought my first pieces and can't wait to start the tradition. My mother's neighbor has the Snow Village and brought in 2 platforms for her base. It was so extensive and realistic that the newspaper took pictures of it one year.

Here is a link that might be useful: giant idea site for Dept 56

My Christmas village is the Caddington Series by Lemax. I just have a few buildings, a couple lighted street lamps, trees, a couple street signs, a Christmas Tree...so I have a ways to go, but with a toddler in the house I have to keep it on a small scale for now for fear of an "accident" and something breaking. I absolutly love it! I have it up on my entertainment center and I love looking at it. The Caddington series reminds me of the Dickens era. I'm hoping to add to it later on!

I'm going to check after Christmas sales for houses, platforms, and trees. :-)

I got some little lampposts with battery connections for DS for his Dickens Village at half price after Christmas sales,
also some little spotlights that get put around the village.

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