A reader writes:

I am just getting started with a Christmas Village. I have looked at Lemax, Dept. 56, St. Nicholas Square, and Carole Towne. Which would you recommend if price is a factor (although there are good sales right now), and I am looking for more traditional and not modern buildings. I also want a collection that I can grow over time. Thank you for your help. Your article was most interesting.

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I'm sorry to be so slow getting back to you. I start getting slammed about Labor Day and usually dig out around Easter.

By now you've probably already got a start. However, if you can get some Lemax buildings and accessories at the after-Christmas sales, you'll be glad to have them next year. St. Nicholas Square is Kohl's brand. While some are nice, they tend to be a little smaller, so some of them don't have as much detail. Carole Towne is pretty much Lowes' brand name for nearly every Christmas village accessory they sell, no matter who made them (I've picked up several that were initally made by Lemax, you can tell because of the better quality, and also because sometimes they even leave the Lemax stickers on the bottom of the little figures.

If you wanted to "collect" for the sake of collecting, Dept. 56 is the most likely to retain its value, but it costs more in the first place. Also, they make several lines, so try to decide which line you like the best and stick with it, as the other lines may not be made with the same materials, etc.

All told, for someone who JUST wants a ceramic, porcelain, or resin Christmas village, Lemax may be your best bet, and it IS often available for half price after Christmas.

Best of luck, and happy New Year! - Paul

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Right. [Actually, I didn't send this response back to the reader. But now I feel better about taking so long to reply to the original message, since the person wouldn't have seen it anyway.]

Lemax is the most economical and if truth be told, they actually do have some nice designs.