The Untouchables
When I was growing up, we had a formal living room in our house. It was my Mom’s room. It was where she kept her collection of porcelain bunnies. It was where actual coffee table books laid on an actual coffee table. It was where the china was kept.
It had white carpet.
My sister and I were forbidden to enter the formal dining room. The rest of the house was ours to destroy, but that formal dining room was all Mom’s. And death to the person who walked in there unsupervised.
There were two occasions when we were allowed in the room. We could practice the piano in there, but we had to go straight to the piano and we couldn’t take anything in the room with us. We also were allowed in there to take pictures before dances. All of my prom pictures are taken sitting uncomfortably on the couch in the formal living room.
The year that I went away to college, my sister had her Homecoming pictures taken in the formal living room. My Mom apparently decided that with one daughter safely out of the house, she could focus more attention on the care of her formal dining room and so that night she put out snacks for my sister’s friends. IN THE FORMAL DINING ROOM. Can you imagine? Food in there!
Well, Ginny got nervous with all the excitement – hot date, Homecoming dance, food in the formal dining room – and when she stood up from the couch and turned, she accidentally tripped on the glass coffee table. She then flew in slow motion across the table, where she landed in a heap on the plush, white carpet. And as she turned to see what she had tripped over, she saw it. She saw the entire contents of food that had been so strategically placed by my Mom on that coffee table in the formal dining room. She saw all of that food coming falling down around her. Salsa and Diet Coke splattering in a 5-foot blast radius. On the white carpet. In the formal living room.
Miraculously, my sister survived. I think at that point, my Mom figured that she had managed to keep her formal living room clean for 18-years. And that was probably long enough.
One of my favorite things in my Mom’s formal dining room was her Dickens Christmas Village. Every year she set it up in the formal dining room on top of the piano. She laid down fluffy cotton for snow and even had an ice skating rink. I loved looking at those houses (…when I was supervised, of course). They had little lights inside them that glowed and the whole village just looked so inviting. Like if you could only get inside that little house, your Grandma would be standing in there next to a roaring fire with a good soft blanket and hot cup of cocoa for you.
We weren’t the kind of family who had the all white Christmas tree or the matching, embroidered stockings. Our house was full of homemade ornaments, reindeer made of popsicle sticks, and miscellaneous stockings that were different shapes and sizes that were added each year as our family grew. It was homey and comfortable and just the way a house should be at Christmas.
But my Mom’s village. That was different. Everything matched. It was fragile and expensive. And it was my Mom’s. And that made it special.
This year, I have asked for my own start to a Christmas Village. I have a new little family in our own comfortable little house. Its time for my own special Christmas tradition. Something that belongs to Mom. And this time, by Mom, I mean me.
The trouble is, I can’t decide on which village I want to collect. I had no idea how many village options where were out there! So, I’m doing what I always do in times of crisis.
I’m turning to you guys.
Here are the options on villages. Vote by leaving a comment telling me which village you would collect. Keep in mind, I’m going to have this village until I’m old and gray and yelling at my own children about walking on the white carpet. No pressure or anything…
OPTION ONE: The Original Department 57 Snow Village
This is the original Christmas Village which means that its the least likely to be discontinued and it also has the most pieces available. The houses are beautiful and elegant, just like my Mom’s. But the drawback, in my opinion, is that its more of a city instead of a village, so there aren’t a lot of those homey looking little houses.
OPTION TWO: Dickens Village
Now, this is actually my favorite. I think the buildings are so beautiful and inviting. And it reminds me the most of my Mom’s set. HOWEVER, this village is based on Dicken’s A Christmas Carole. Here’s the kicker. I hate that story. With a passion. I can’t stand that stupid Bob Cratchet and Tiny Tim makes me want to vomit. I am violently against that story. But I love the village. What to do, what to do?
OPTION THREE: New England Village
In theory, I love the idea of this village the most. It is a New England fishing village from around the turn of the century. I think it represents where Chris and I started our family and I know when I looked back at it years from now, I would think of the first years of our happy, little New England life. BUT out of all the villages, it is probably the most boring. The houses are just little salt box houses and there aren’t too many “village” options. Just a collection of houses. So, it would be a trade off. Great memories. Not so great village.
OPTION FOUR: The North Pole
I think this village is adorable. The houses are all made out of toys. Like one is a rubber ducky house and its a giant rubber ducky. And the people are elves. I look at it and I think that my children will probably like this one the most. But Chris made a good point when he said that I wouldn’t be happy with it years from now because its not very “collectible.” Its not that special, elegant Christmas village that I was looking for. But is that okay because its just so darn cute instead? I don’t know…
So, there you go. My Christmas dilemma. Which village would you choose?
92 Comments
Toni S.
I like them all, LOL I guess that doesn’t help though. I think that if you want a village, you could create one with your favorite pieces from each. Makes it more your own. Then, you don’t have to choose between them! You can also add the little things, like more people, cars, and such. Then again, you could always go the route my MIL did- paint your own. She did, I swear! Then, when she was done with a piece, and it was a building, my FIL added lights and such. I have a couple of those pieces, and I love them.
Jessica
#1 many more year of collecting to come
Kristin
I have two, myself: the Original Snow Village and the North Pole/North Pole Woods (the Woods version was discontinued, though.) I love the Snow Village because the houses and buildings I have contain meaning. For instance, I have a cheesy house that looks like the very first home my parents had and the first I lived in. I have the firestation because my father-in-law is a retired fireman. I have the Irish pub because I’m Irish…I could go on. It looks less like a cozy village, yes, but the Original Snow Villiage for me, allows more meaning. : )
P.S. The North Pole is set up on the back on the top of a bookcase and just looks super cute when I add a blanket of sparkly, puffy white fabric to act as snow. I even add layers underneath.
Janet
Definitely Dept. 57 or the Dickens Village, in my opinion. I’m not that familiar with them, but can you get a lot of the Dickens village withOUT Tiny Tim, Scrooge, etc.? You don’t have to get the pieces you don’t like unless it leaves a yawning void, lol. I’d do that, and if not, Dept 57 is probably your best bet, since they are so popular. Also take into consideration whether you want the same one as your mom, or your own that’s similar but different. My vote is Dept. 57. Maybe. But surely not the last one. Cute yes…but your house will look childish, I think. Not good for long term/forever. Let us know what you decide!:-)
Janie
Mine is a mix-match of the different villages plus some hand painted pieces I purchased at Michael’s and Walmart. I love the way it turns out.
Danimezza
#1 🙂
Noelle
I was looking on Department 56’s website, and they have a Dickens Village as well as one based on A Christmas Carol. It looks like you could stick to the standard Victorian-themed village and not have to get anything that referenced A Christmas Carol. I’ve pasted the link below:
http://www.department56.com/content.aspx?cid=VLDV&ms=PRD&msi=58999&smenu=products
Laura
Number 1 for sure! I love how classic it is 🙂
Sarah H.
I also liked the idea of the NE village since you live in New England….but if it’s not as fun to collect….I’d go with #1 🙂
kirsten
another vote for #1
Katie van der Meer
I think I would have to vote for the Dickens village. No one has to know that its all about the story do they??? So long as its pretty and there are several different buildings and things… I like the older look.
kay
the original, definately the original. you can go to sleep at night and dream of living their! or is that just me. i love this village although i never collected them. i never wanted just one i wanted the whole darn thing. if i had started with one what a beautiful collection i would have by now, but noooo i couldn’t do that. so collect the original for me please! and send pictures often so i can live through you!
Andi Hays
I would go with #1 for the longevity and faith that it will always be there…when you are old and gray. 🙂 Plus that way, your kids or grandkids can one day have the collection and add to it.
My grandma had a Dickens village and I always loved it. I never had any idea it was based on the story. So I wouldn’t let that stop you if it’s your favorite!
Jordan
Growing up, I’d seen villages at everybody else’s house and I thought they were so neat, but we had never had one. One day my mom decided she wanted her own and so I went shopping with her to pick it out(I think I was about 10). We bought maybe 6 houses and a few people, thinking we could buy new pieces each year. The next year it was discontinued….. 🙁 So it’s stayed a nice small village for all these years- no urban sprawl for us!
Jordan
oh, and I forgot to put my vote in- I’d say #1 or 2. Definitely not the north pole one… it’s not the warm, grandma baking cookies look you’re going for.
Kelly H
I have the Department 57 myself. Even though it is city – I have only collected the “village-like” pieces for myself. The kids absolutely love looking at it every year. I keep mine on the piano.
naomi
#1
Katie
I say go with Dickens, because you love it (and it is the prettiest). You can make up your own story to go along with it, that way it will be Mom’s village AND the Christmas story Mom tells every year…how cute!
Elizabeth Simmerman
I vote for the New England village – it will always have a personal meaning for you. This coming of course from a fellow New England transplant!
Kathy
I am going to base my response on a decision that I made many years ago and have never regretted. My mother’s silver pattern was Old Master by Towle. She suggested that I choose the same pattern, which was a touch too fancy for me, because she would someday give me her silver. I balked a bit, but went with it. Now I have service for 18 in sterling silver, and use it all the time.
Your mother isn’t always going to own that set, and chances are good that at least part of it will be passed down to you. What a tradition! You can get over your aversion to “A Christmas Carol,” but think of the memories you’ve already made around the village.
Katy
I vote #2 Dickens. And make up your own story, refusing to call it Dickens anymore.
Kathryn
Hey – did you guys change your site recently? First it started saying something about pipes, and now that’s gone, but when I click on your blog it takes me to like a home page and I have to click on a specific blog or something… It’s not nearly as “user-friendly” as before. I figured you knew that, but just in case you didn’t… I haven’t changed anything on my end – maybe I should….
1 and 2 are my favorites! (-:
~K
Katie
Hi Kathryn – I think you may have subscribed to the Main Page, instead of the Confessions page. Try subscribing again but just to the pages you want to follow and not the main feed. Does that make sense?
Tressa
Go with your favorite. #2
Aren’t you glad that happened to your sister and not you?! 😉
Haley
You know you want Dickens, just don’t invite Bob Cratchet or Tiny Tim over for Christmas.
PS: The North Pole one is really cute too.
PSS: Maybe you should start collecting both.
PSSS: Don’t tell Chris I suggested that.
Abigail
My hubby and I both agree on going with option three.
Adrienne
Chuck it all and collect the halloween villages!
Seriously, though, option one. Classics are classy.
Looking € oHeaven
I love Dept 57. Classic and elegant
Michelle
#1 and #4- can’t you do them both in seperate rooms? A few from each (the Bean will love #4 as a child)…Just a thought! If I HAD to pick- it’d go for #1. Tough decision!
Donna
I like #1 (received some of it for my wedding), but I like the memories associated with the New England style.
Ashley
OPTION ONE!! 🙂 Happy Collecting!!
Jes the Bes
I would pick option 1. If I could be live in the 50’s I totally would.
Liz, JM, and Leo
Go Dickens – you like it best and you’ll be looking at it every year. Looks are the most important thing, right? And Dickens wrote a a lot of books (pretty much all depressing), not just The Christmas Story.
Now Katie, we must talk – you are really turning into a MOM. Collecting Christmas villages – I get it – I would be a knickknack person too if I weren’t moving all the time. However, if you begin to don Christmas-themed sweaters at work or start to wear Christmas ornament earrings, I’m going to need to hold an intervention ;).
You go girl – collect away!
Susan Samson
I would have to go with The Original Department 57 Snow Village. Though it is more city, it is more what I would want for my collection. I really do need to start one.
Elizabeth
#1.
Erin
I definitely like #1. If I were to buy one (which I say every year I’m going to start my own collection and never do), I’d get #1. It’s the classic collection that will collective for the next few years. And you just don’t have to buy any of the houses or pieces that are to city-like 🙂
Mallory
Sounds like number one is the best choice for you… and I think it’s the cutest 🙂
Sandy
Option #1…classic but appealing to boys (young and old). The North Pole is cutesie now but not so much later (again to boys). As girls we lean toward the more romantic (colonial/New England) but Beanie will cherish the classic more, now and when he gets older! Can you see where I am going here…you have your memories, now it is time to start making Beanies. PLUS, it is something I am sure you will want to pass on to him later in life.
Melanie K. from RC
I like number 1 and 3…the house in #3 reminds of the houses in my small town in Michigan.
Kimberly
So, was it a formal living room or a formal dining room?
My vote is for #1.
Katie
It was actually both – a living room with the dining room at the far end. Maybe that’s why I confused my words!
Lily
I would say that unless you really really love the Dickens/Victorian scene – you should stay away because your mother already has a set and you know it so well.
My favorite is the New England because of the fabulous points you made about how it will always remind you of early in your marriage and having your first child, your first house – so many new beginnings in Connecticut. I that it will never fail to make you smile – no matter where you live.
Also – it will be your own new village. You maaay not want to have your Dickens village to compare to your mother’s.
Oh such big life decisions! haha I say New England #1 (it’s really your home) – and Dickens is #2 (not in the bad way lol).
**But I do admit that I love the victorian display – oh my husband will give me such a hard time – but I might have to buy some of the alpine village!**
Lily
Ok – Alpine is being discontinued…After shopping further – I say New England and the Original Village are the best 😉
Rachel
I’m going to have to go with #1. I don’t think it looks too “city.” What a fun tradition! You’ll have to let me know what you think of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society if you happen to read the book. Thanks for the comment on my blog! Take care.
Jordan
I read it too! Fun book 🙂
Sarah
I like the New England village myself. Or your mom’s village, the original one. 🙂
Amy
If I were picking for myself I would definately pick number 2. I think it is so beautiful and charming. But I don’t think that it is a good idea to pick that one if every time you look at it you think about a story that you do not like. I would go with number one. I think that it is the safest choice. Good Luck! Love your blog!
Bridget
I think I’m going to have to be the voice of dissent here and opt for number four. It just seems so fun!
Kate
#1 The Original Department 57 Snow Village
Kim
I would go with the Dickens collection. My mom has collected them for years and now it is a tradition for my sister and I to get her one for Christmas to add….or the people, trees, etc. And it is something you and your mom would have in common as well!
Shannon
If the Charles Dickens one has the most beautiful buildings and is your favorite (besides what it’s based on), I’d go with that one. I also want to know how Tiny Tim can make you want to vomit… and how you can be so against the story… I’m baffled. I’ve loved that story since the first time I remember hearing it.
So. That’s what I’d choose. However, if you really hate the story, and can’t look past that if the houses all remind you of it… then definitely the Dept. 57 village. It is a classic, and you made a good point about it hopefully not being discontinued. My grandma has several pieces of that village and it’s very nice
Stacy
I say go with Option #1 or Option #3
If you hate the Christmas Carol story definitely don’t go with that, and the last one is a little too cheesy and not very “collectible” like Chris said. I think #1 has the most going for it.
I myself am very indecisive, so I understand your pain! lol
Good luck!!
BFF Emily
I’m pretty good at arts & crafts when it comes to sequined popsicle sticks, painted rocks and little trees made out of newspaper so I suggest you save your money and let’s get a workshop going. We can bedazzle some jean jackets too if there €™s time.
Niki
I like the Dickens Village the best. I’ve always loved Victorian homes. You could always pretend it’s not A Christmas Carol. Though I don’t understand why you don’t like the story. 🙂
The first one would be my second choice.
Stacy
eta – I just wanted to second another opinion… your mother will most likely pass some of her stuff down to you – wouldn’t it be nice if it all matched?
R$
Well, after looking at more pieces to the “classic,” I am not too sure it is actually going your way. Yard flamingos? Hot dog stands? In the future, it may veer further and further away from your ideal- your mom probably has most of those idyllic pieces anyway.
I would say you should mix and match Dickens and New England to your heart’s content. They are more elegant and will remind you of the beauty of old traditions. They speak a little bit more of Christmas, less of “Americana.”
Chris probably told you to skip North Pole because HE doesn’t like it and couldn’t come up with a nice way to tell you, or felt “un-manly” having an opinion about it at all. Rather go with something he is neutral about.
Why are these decisions always so hard?
Kate
I like numbers 1 and 2, and could see why number 3 is a good choice. I’m not into number 4 at all. I’m a little traditional when it comes to Christmas. I guess I’m not voting for number 4 more than I am voting for any other village.
Amy
I love all Xmas villages. You can’t go wrong. My mom buys me a new piece every year. I think that I have the cheaper Kohl’s version…
Kelly H.
I vote for number 1. I have a really small village that some one gave my mom for Christmas, years ago. It’s from the catalog called Current (not sure if it’s around anymore). It’s my favorite piece to put out. I remember looking at it (supervised of course) and imagining that I live there in one of the little houses. For our first married Christmas, mom gave me the village. It’s one of the best Christmas gifts I have ever received.
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Anything but the North Pole. I’m sorry, it might be flu induced craziness, but I think it’s a tad . . . much.
My mom started with #1 and then started mixing it up with cheaper pieces she found and it drives me CRAZY. The pieces are not all done to the same scale and the colors are a bit off.
. . . AND once again my issues come roaring to life.
Andie
I really like Dickens Village..it seems more like Christmas to me 🙂
Miss M!
If I were to start a collection like that, I would just pick and choose the pieces I liked best from whereever. That way they would coordinate, but not match.
And I’m so confused – was it a living room or a dining room???
Mary
I pick the Dickens collection. I started mine when my kids were small. Now they enjoy coming over to see if I’ve put it up yet!
Nate's Mom
Katie – I’m kind of trippin’ that you collect these because we just started to collect these when we got married! 🙂 We’re doing the Original Snow Village ones. The finish is the fired, hand-painted porcelain – and the others aren’t necessarily that finish. (Some can even be plastic, I think.) The problem is that the Original Snow Village is on a perspective of its own, so the houses are a wonky size when placed next to those of other Village collections. So, we bit the bullet and just dedicated ourselves to the Original one. So far, we have the lighthouse (with a working beacon), the pancake house, the museum, and, last year, in honor of us being preggers, we got the Little Sunshine Day Care. Love, love, love it!!!
Kim
I like the original. I like that it’s less theme-y. I’m thinking of starting my own this year, too, and this is what I chose. I was hoping that my mom would actually let me have her village, it would look so nice in our house. =)
EmilyC
I love #2 but I’m not really one to give good advice because I started collecting two years ago and I just get whatever I like and have little “neighborhoods” because it’s not all one collection. I couldn’t settle for just one village. I know I’m no help…sorry! 🙂
Kaci
I like them all, but I think I like the North Pole Scene the best. It is fun and festive and reminds me more of my house growing up. Good Luck… let us know which one you pick!
Victoria
I like #1 the best.
Meredith
My mom also sets up her snow village every year, with the fluffy cotton for snow. We also have the ice skating rink with the magnets so that the people on the rink actually look like they are skating. Oh the memories…
Anyways, my mother has the original snow village so I think I’m biased, but I definitely prefer that one.
Kate
I vote for the Dickins Village. My mom has collected it for years and it just means Christmas to me. We were thinking about starting out collection this year as well. Also, FYI, not all Dickins pieces are from A Christmas Carol. Some of them are real buildings from Dickins’ life. I love them.
Jeska
I really like the New England one. It’s pretty and will have a great memory for you. You probably won’t always live in New England. It might be discontinued eventually, but that will only make it more precious!
courtney
I have a mixture of the different versions – yes I’ll admit it. It so goes against my OCD nature, but I love the magic of mixing it all up. Get the houses you like, but don’t get the ones that are for all seasons and the decorations are removable. They fall off, and I ended up gluing (glueing?) them on with a hot glue gun. So much for all seasons.
Lisa
Definitely Dickens. My mom has this set also (fluffy cotton snow, and everything!) and I LOVE it. There are so many pieces to the set, you can always get different ones than what your mom already has… to make it your own village. Maybe one day her village will start to get full and she can pass on her old pieces to you! And besides, this village seems the most like Christmastime to me, regardless of the story 🙂
Pam
My grandma has a Christmas village and there are a few pieces from a bunch of different collections. For her it was more about the fact that all the pieces meant something. So she has a barn (they live on a farm), a pond with hockey players (my brothers and I played), and other pieces that mean something. And it doesn’t look bad at all. I guess you have to decide if you want everything to match perfectly or if you would rather get pieces that mean something.
Breanne
So, uhm, did your mom cherish a formal dining room or a formal living room? Not to be nit-picky, just curious.
Camille
The rubber ducky one sounds awful.
I vote for Charles Dickens because 1) you admitted yourself you like it best, 2) you majored in English and it’s just fitting, and 3) you don’t have to buy the tiny tim piece, if it’s even offered. I would’ve never guessed it was officially the Charles Dickens village.
My mom was into nativities. Again with the arranging on top of the piano, only she used angels’ hair stuff. And again with not being allowed to touch it except when we were all setting it up or putting it away. (Hmmm…sounds like child labour, now that I think of it. My mom was smart.)
Molly
#1 – it’s classic, traditional, and lets you make it your own theme (aka, you don’t have to “rename” it or pretend it is something else like the dickens village) The frugalista in me also thinks, there is history and lots of choice. For example, you could find some retired or discontinued “villagy” pieces online to start your village on a smaller budget, without having to deviate from the collection. I definitely admire those who can say, “just get them all!!” Mine would HAVE to match! You know, color, scale, etc. It’s just not the same if your mixing…
Kayla
My vote is the Dicken’s Village or for the North Pole.
1) Dicken’s Village doesn’t really TELL the story of Christmas Carole, does it? They can be YOUR village pieces, of your perfect little town on a snowy afternoon.
2) Beanie would love growing up and looking at all the pretty colours in the North Pole set. However, I’m with you on the whole “not really a village/collectible” idea. I’m a born collector. If it has no monetary value 50 years from now, I don’t care.
So based on that, from my collector’s point, I’d go with Dicken’s Village.
Heather
mmmmmm. i am slightly in love with number two.
yep. dickens village for sure.
Vicki Jane
Hmmm… the whole concept of snow covered houses at Xmas is a totally foreign concept to me. This year we are having a big family gathering at the beach with BBQ dinner. New Zealand Xmas is hot and sunny.
Having said that, I like the Dickens Village. Very Yuletide..
Laura
i really like the New England Christmas Village. it reminds me of what a white christmas in Vermont might look like (i live in Seattle and it rains here every christmas). or that one Robert Frost poem about walking through the snow on a winter’s night.
however, the Dickens-style christmas village would be adorable as well. maybe because i love the Muppets Christmas Carol (even though i really don’t like the real one! weird, huh?). plus, it’s classic.
but in the end, my vote goes to the New England Village.
Amanda
My mom has the Dickens Village and puts it out every year in our formal living room. I vote for that one!
annette
north pole!
Heather
north pole!!!!
Chynel
I would go with the Dickens. It is a classic look and they add new pieces almost every year so it can continue to grow. They make great items to pass down too.
Laura
From those pictures I like the Dickens Village the most.
When I was growing up my mom would buy some all white ceramic buildings and my family would sit together one night before christmas and each paint one house however we wanted. It was then added to the village which in the end was a whole little town with houses, stores, bridges, trees, ponds, everything – all of which we painted ourselves (except for the 2 or 3 chronically white houses that we never got around to painting because sadly the tradition fell apart as we got older). It was fun though, I still remember some of the houses I painted.
Whitney
Oh Oh! My vote is for Dickens or New England, most definitely. But between those two…I just can’t pick. You better show us what you decide on! How fun!!
Ariane
OPTION ONE: The Original Department 57 Snow Village
My dad has this one. Absolutely loved putting it out every christmas, it’s a classic!!!
Katie S.
I like the idea of collecting your favorites from each village. That way, it is truly your own. Yes, it will not match, but villages typically don’t match. Also, there is no risk of discontinuing. Now I want to start my own!
Kelley
Katie – awesome that you decided you want to start a collection and tradition for your family! My mother and I both have collections. She collected Dickens and I collected the North Pole. However, she has too many too display and I just don’t have the space. If you’re interested in buying some, send me an email… she has many of the limited edition and specialty Dickens pieces and most of them have only been taken out of the box once or twice!
They do remind me of Christmas time though! YAY Christmas!
Kelly
I would definitely go with the Dickens village. Scrooge was not the only story/book that Dickens wrote, and you’re looking at style, and a time period. WHo cares that it’s has Dicken’s name attached to it. Just don’t buy any Tiny Tim figures.
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