I don't think I have ever posted this here before. While I prefer the cardboard putz houses, vintage or newly made, I do have to admit that the Dept. 56 houses can be very beautiful as well.

Here's a link to photos from the collection of a friend--the CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY line https://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@ ... 7665804229

Enjoy.

Maria, Many of these are very charming - I used to have a friend who worked in a gift shop and arranged the displays for their Dept. 56 Collections. They wouldn't let me photograph them, though, because they were afraid I was just there to steal their ideas.

I swear, I could literally bankrupt myself with these things! I dream of the day I can go to the Christmas store (here the best one is American Sales) and say "Give me one of each and every village piece you have." Sigh. It would on;y set me back about $3,000 or so. LOL!

A collection of DEPT 56 links you may have an interest in http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/20 ... ctors.html

Thanks Maria! Love that site! I absolutely love reading through those old catalogs too!

Your welcome!