Christmas traditions are part of what make the holidays special. They’re the memories of Christmas’ past and present. Traditions connect us to our past and propel us into the future where we may even add to the rituals of the season.
During Christmastime, I love honoring my past and in the process of that creating my own traditions. One of mine started when I was in college with my grandparents and aunt and uncle. This is the first activity that I do every year. It is what kicks off the holiday season each year for me. By now, I’m sure you are wondering what this activity is. Well wait no longer….. it is when I bring out my Christmas village and put it up for the winter season.
My very first pieces were gifted to me by my relatives. They all purchased from the same collection and that was the beginning of it all. My village has grown significantly over the years, but it all has special meaning to me. I have come to realize that this collection will become an heirloom someday. The beauty of it all is that some of my pieces remind me of actual places in my life, some have been retired and are no longer available, and most importantly, I remember my family that so graciously gave me each piece. My husband and kids have continued the tradition of adding to my collection. All these pieces have become a tangible reminder of my precious family especially those who are no longer with me.
Creating the display is half the fun. Someone in my family has helped me put it up every year. Not only do we enjoy creating the display, but we have so much fun just hanging out and conversating. It gives us an opportunity to spend good quality time together doing something that creates memories together. It makes the process so enjoyable.
My village started out small and in my first house after I was married, I had this ledge over a staircase that was built in where I placed my village. It was a fun way to display my village without taking up precious floor space which I didn’t have in my first house.
When we moved from there, we were able to build our home we live in now. I knew I wanted to continue with the tradition of displaying my village in the same way. We actually built in similar places in my foyer to display my village. I’m very lucky to have a large area to spread it out. I have created a residential area, business area and a city park area.
I have so much fun arranging the display. Some of you may not have this scenario in your home, but there are different ways to choose to display it. If you have a piece of furniture like a credenza https://amzn.to/3qJewOo, or coffee table, you could display this on the top. Or, you could put it above your kitchen cabinets if you have an open soffit and create your very own city in your kitchen. You could sprinkle your pieces throughout your house and use them as Christmas decorations. Another fun way to display a Christmas village is to place it under your Christmas tree or on the shelves of a bookcase. Wherever you decide will make it fun and exciting. There are no written rules in how to organize it, so just let your creative juices flow. No matter what you decide, I can guarantee you will have fun creating your Christmas village environment.
Start a new tradition for yourself or for someone else. You never know what it might mean to someone. Make it as big or small as you like, but this can be a special activity that you do every year. Besides being a beautiful display, it’s also fun to envision what it would be like to live in these villages as well. Have fun, be creative, and start your new tradition this year.
Beautiful traditions! I have a relative that would send me an annual Christmas bell. That became a fun tradition and fun for my kids who like to listen to the music each plays.
That’s so cool. Not only is that something fun for you and your kids to look forward to every year, but what great memories it creates in the process.
Christmas Villages are so fun. I had the Entire It’s A Wonderful Life Village at one time.
That’s fun. So glad that you have experienced the joy of Christmas villages!
I love the villages. We always had them; so cheerful, and it’s fun to expand them each year.
Yes indeed. I love putting mine up and enjoying it every year. Something very quaint and festive about them.
I love learning about other traditions. We celebrate Hanukkah but traditions are always fun for the kids.
Happy Hanukkah Tricia. It is fun to learn about traditions of others.
Those are really cool. This actually just reminded me, I think my Aunt had little villages like these. I had completely forgotten about them until seeing this. So nostalgic. You have a very impressive collection.
Thanks so much! That is the great part of memories. Certain things can jog our mind and remind us of years past. So glad this could spur that memory for you.
I think I might start adding one piece every year. I always complain about how I need more decorations!
That’s a great idea! They are fun to add too and see how it changes over the years. It gives a burst of Christmas cheer to your home.
My dad started one of these…I love seeing the new additions each year!
That’s so fun. It is neat to see how it can change over the years.
Oh my goodness what a truly amazing village! You have a wonderful collection and your traditions are inspiring.. I would probably leave it up all year!
Thanks Holly. It is something that I truly love. I have left it up one year all year because I didn’t get it taken down. 🙂
I have always wanted a Christmas village. We have a Lego one currently. My boys love it, but it just doesn’t have the same feel. My goal is to start with a church and grow from there.
My church was my first piece. It looks like my church that I belong to. It is a very special piece. Good luck with building your village. It is so much fun and it is a great way to connect to other people, places or events in your life. They make such great decorations too.
This is so cute! If I wasn’t so obsessed with nutcrackers I’d probably have these everywhere instead! Merry Christmas!
Thanks. Merry Christmas to you too. We all have our traditions. 🙂
Beautiful village! Always nice to see others traditions.
Thanks so much.
I love my Christmas village! I can’t wait to have a place to properly display it!
That’s so great! I hope you get a place to display it soon. 🙂
I love the Christmas Villages. Reminds me of my childhood and visiting my aunt’s home.
That’s the fun part of them. They always seem to bring back great memories of Christmas’ past.
Aww, I love your Christmas village!
Thanks. Me too.
What a wonderful tradition. I love that the pieces bring back fond memories.
Thanks. It is such a great piece about the complete enjoyment of my village.
I love seeing the Christmas villages. They’re so whimsical and such a charming tradition. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you as well. There is something so charming and fun about looking at a Christmas Village.
Such great memories for our family with a Christmas Village! When Grandma passed our boys acquired! Very special!
Oh that’s so neat. What a great memory!
My Christmas Village has outgrown my mantle, and I now allow each child to have a piece in their rooms! I also have a separate village that is from A Christmas Story. Hubby laughs, but I can’t resist getting new pieces!
That’s so funny! New pieces are so much fun and it is fun to add to the collection. Merry Christmas.
So sweet! My fiance does a mini Disney World display for Christmas; the kids get such a kick out of it.
That’s so neat. Christmas displays are so much fun!
I love this idea. You have a beautiful village.
Thanks so much Alice. Merry Christmas!
I love your Christmas village! I have so so many holiday traditions and I enjoy each one. Many of mine are collections too like the snowman village and the Christmas mug collections. I make new displays and vignettes every year and just have the best time! I truly love this time of year.
Thanks so much Cindy. I’m with you on Christmas as well. I love to decorate and do all things Christmas. It brings me so much joy. So glad that you love and do things that bring you joy as well. Merry Christmas!
I’ve always enjoyed seeing these and all the work it takes to make the little villages look so real. Nice job, it really is beautiful 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much. I have so much fun putting it together.