Christmas villages are a beloved holiday tradition, capturing the nostalgic charm of a picturesque winter wonderland in miniature form. These enchanting displays have become a staple in many households, offering a delightful mix of quaint cottages, bustling town squares, and twinkling lights. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting to create your own festive scene, selecting the right brand is essential for ensuring quality and charm. Below, we explore some of the best brands known for crafting exquisite Christmas village pieces, making it easier for you to choose the perfect additions to your holiday decor.
Illustration of christmas village
Best brands of christmas village in 2025
Department 56
Department 56 is a renowned U.S. manufacturer of holiday collectibles, particularly celebrated for its intricate and lit Christmas village collections, which have been a staple since its founding in 1976. The brand, now owned by Enesco and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has seen significant growth, with sales increasing by 7-11% per year over the past few years. Department 56's collections, such as the Original Snow Village and Dickens Village, feature over 225 pieces, including buildings and accessories, each meticulously crafted and dated with the year of copyright. The company's products are popular among both smaller gift shops and national retail stores, including Amazon. With licensed brands like Harry Potter, Disney, and Peanuts, Department 56 continues to captivate collectors with its diverse and enchanting holiday offerings.
Lemax
Lemax is a renowned leader in the production of Christmas and Halloween village collectibles, having been at the forefront since its founding in 1990. The brand offers a vast array of meticulously crafted miniature Christmas villages, including lighted buildings, sights and sounds, and festive accessories. For 2024, Lemax has introduced over 181 stunning pieces, enhancing the magic of holiday displays. Their collections, such as Caddington Village and Spooky Town, are highly detailed and feature mechanical and musical elements. Lemax's partnership with the Norman Rockwell Museum has also brought unique and nostalgic pieces to their collections.
Lilliput Lane
Lilliput Lane was a renowned brand known for its exquisite, handmade, and hand-painted miniature models of real English and Welsh cottages and scenes, launched in 1982 by David Tate. The company gained global recognition, selling its models in over 50 countries. Each model was a precise replica of a real building, contributing to its worldwide success. Despite its popularity, the brand was discontinued in 2016 by parent company Enesco Ltd due to the factory operating at a loss and changing consumer tastes. The closure marked the end of an era for a brand that had attracted thousands of visitors to its factory and visitor centre. Learn more about the legacy of Lilliput Lane on their official page.
Dickens' Village Series by Department 56
The Dickens' Village Series by Department 56 represents the pinnacle of Christmas village collectibles, famous for its detailed porcelain homes, buildings, and accessories that beautifully recreate a Victorian Christmas setting. Since its introduction in 1984, this series has garnered immense popularity, with 70% of customers who receive their first Village piece as a gift continuing to expand their collection by acquiring two to three new pieces annually. The series includes items licensed from the Charles Dickens estate, adding to their appeal and collectibility. Each piece is meticulously marked with the series name, title, year of introduction, and company logo to ensure authenticity. With a robust community of over 200,000 collectors, the Dickens' Village Series is highly sought-after, with some retired pieces commanding prices significantly higher than their original retail values. Explore more about their unique Christmas village pieces.
Snow Village Series by Department 56
The Snow Village Series by Department 56 is a renowned collection of Christmas village pieces, initiated in 1976 with the Original Snow Village, which includes over 225 pieces and has seen consistent growth, with sales increasing by 7-11% per year. The series features intricately designed ceramic buildings, such as the Mountain Lodge and Gabled Cottage, and is known for its lit Christmas village collections. Department 56, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has expanded its offerings to include various themed villages like Christmas Lane, Heritage Village, and North Pole Series. The brand's products are popular in both smaller gift shops and national retail stores, including Amazon. As of 2023, Department 56 incorporates licensed brands like Harry Potter and Disney into its collections.
Christmas in the City Series by Department 56
The Christmas in the City series by Department 56 is a highly acclaimed collection of miniature village pieces, renowned for its detailed and realistic depictions of city life during the holiday season. Introduced with the aim of capturing the elegance and excitement of urban holidays, this series includes a wide range of buildings, characters, and accessories, such as the FAO Schwarz 2021 and the Engine Company 31 2021 pieces. Department 56, known for its high-quality collectibles, typically introduces around 600 new items each year, enhancing the collectibility of its products. The series allows collectors to customize their tabletop city, adding new pieces annually to create a unique and personalized holiday display. With over 3,000 different items in their product line, Department 56 has established a strong following among collectors, with an estimated 200,000 collectors worldwide.
North Pole Series by Department 56
The North Pole Series by Department 56 is a highly acclaimed collection of Christmas village pieces, known for its intricate designs and magical themes. Introduced in the late 1990s, this series has become a staple in holiday decorations, featuring hand-crafted and hand-painted resin and ceramic figures. Department 56, owned by Enesco and based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has seen significant growth, with sales increasing by 7-11% annually in recent years. The series includes a wide range of items, from village figures to lighted buildings, such as the FAO Schwarz Toy Emporium and the Gingerbread Cookie Mill. These pieces are popular among collectors and are often sold through national retail stores and online platforms like Amazon. For more details, explore the North Pole Series collection online.
Mr. Christmas
Mr. Christmas is a renowned brand that has been a leader in creating innovative mechanical and musical Christmas decorations for 90 years, since 1933. Known for their meticulous attention to detail and high-quality materials, Mr. Christmas products, such as the 17" Animated & Musical Vintage Village, feature intricate animations, heartwarming melodies, and advanced technologies like custom microchips. This brand has estimated annual revenue of $15 million and employs 37 people, with a growth rate of 3% in employee count. Their products are designed to be timeless treasures, capturing the essence of the holiday season with features like rotating snowmen, flying Santa figures, and illuminated LED lights. Mr. Christmas continues to innovate, introducing new products each year to enhance holiday traditions.
Hawthorne Village
Hawthorne Village is renowned for producing some of the most exquisite Christmas village collections, often featuring themes inspired by popular artists like Thomas Kinkade. These collections typically include at least four issues, with the option to purchase "Super Sets" that bundle the first three issues together, introduced in late 2008. Hawthorne Village also collaborates with Bachmann to produce On30 trains that complement their village themes. The detailed and well-crafted pieces, such as the Lamplight Village accessories, showcase the brand's commitment to quality. With a flexible subscription model that allows for cancellations and refunds, Hawthorne Village ensures customer satisfaction. For a deeper insight into their offerings, explore the history of Hawthorne Village's Christmas collections.
Premier Holiday Collections
Department 56, a premier brand in holiday collectibles, is renowned for its exquisite Christmas village collections, including the Original Snow Village introduced in 1976 and subsequent series like Christmas Lane, Heritage Village, and North Pole Series. The brand, owned by Enesco and based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has seen significant growth, with sales increasing by 7-11% annually from 2011 to 2015. As of 2023, Department 56 incorporates ten licensed brands into its products, such as Harry Potter and Disney. About 71% of holiday shoppers plan to do at least half of their shopping online, but Department 56's products remain popular in both online and in-store markets. The brand's collectibles are treasured for their detailed craftsmanship and nostalgic appeal. You can learn more about their history and products on their Wikipedia page.
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