15 Ideas for Christmas Village Display Platforms

Creating a Christmas village is one of the most joyful and creatively refreshing activities of the holiday season. It’s more than just setting up small, cozy houses and festive figures; it’s about crafting a magical world that embodies the holiday spirit.

One of the most important parts of creating a Christmas village is choosing the foundation or platform on which your miniature winter wonderland will be built. The right display platform enhances the overall look of your village, provides stability, and offers endless opportunities for creativity.

To help inspire you, I’ve gathered ideas from across the internet and compiled a list of 15 fantastic ideas for creating Christmas village display platforms. 

1. Table

2. Shelf

3. Mantel

The fireplace mantel is a natural focal point in any living area, making it a perfect spot for your Christmas village. The raised position makes it easy to view, and the backdrop of the mantel can be decorated with garlands, twinkle lights, or a mirror to reflect the beauty of the village.

Source: Courtney Smith

4. Unused Ladder

For a rustic and unique display, consider using an unused ladder as the base for your Christmas village. Drape the steps with festive greenery and lights, then place your village houses on each step. This vertical display adds an unexpected charm to your home and utilizes space in a creative way.

Source: Pinterest

5. Under a Christmas Tree

Placing your Christmas village under the Christmas tree is a classic option that adds to the magic of the season. The village nestles perfectly beneath the branches, becoming part of the Christmas tree’s scene. As the tree lights twinkle, they cast a warm glow on the village, making it feel even more enchanting.

Source: Maggie Long

Looking to buy a Christmas tree? Or interested in this kind of platform? Browse our selection of Christmas trees – including our Pop Up Christmas Trees for quick and easy setups.

6. Window Ledge

A window ledge creates a charming, picturesque display visible from both inside and outside your home. Your Christmas village can sparkle in the natural light during the day and glow from inside at night, adding warmth to your holiday decor. It's also a great way to maximize otherwise unused space.

Source: Everyday Living Designs

7. Cabinets

If you have extra space above your kitchen cabinets, it can be transformed into a cozy spot for your Christmas village. The height allows your display to be visible from various points in the room, and it also keeps the village out of reach, making it a safe place for intricate setups.

Source: Claudia Strozeski

8. Centerpiece on your Dining Table

Incorporating your Christmas village into your dining table centerpiece allows you to showcase it as part of your holiday meals and gatherings. You can arrange the village on a long tray or raised platform to make it easily movable when needed, while still keeping it a conversation piece during dinner.

Source: Lisa Kennedy

9. Side Table or Night Stand

A side table or nightstand offers a more intimate display option. It's perfect for smaller villages or individual scenes. Placing your village here brings the cozy charm of the holidays into every room of your home, whether it’s the living room, bedroom, or even a hallway.

Source: MAIKA

10. Large Table

For those who want to go big, a large table provides the perfect surface for an expansive Christmas village. You can create a sprawling landscape, complete with a town square, hills, and even a train set running through the village. This option gives you ample space to play with different heights and layers.

Source: Priscillas

11. Large Plywood Between Two Sawhorses

If you're looking for a sturdy and customizable platform, a large piece of plywood between two sawhorses is a great option. This setup gives you plenty of flexibility in terms of size and layout, and it can be easily disassembled after the holidays. It also allows you to adjust the height to suit your display needs.

Source: Charles & Hudson

12. Multi-level Round Pieces of Plywood

Using multi-level round pieces of plywood creates a dynamic and visually interesting display that mimics the shape of a Christmas tree. The different levels add depth and height to your village, making it look like it’s built into a snowy hill or mountain. You can decorate the edges of each level with faux snow, lights, or miniature trees to complete the scene.

Source: Budget101.com

13. Unused Boxes

Don’t underestimate the potential of everyday unused boxes. Boxes of various sizes can be stacked and arranged to create a tiered village display. You can cover them with fabric, wrapping paper, or even paint to create a festive look. This budget-friendly option allows for a lot of creativity and can be easily customized to fit your space.

Source: Family Holiday

14. Styrofoam

Using a Styrofoam foundation for your Christmas village offers endless possibilities for creativity and customization. The best thing about using styrofoam as your foundation is that you have complete freedom to shape the terrain however you want. You can easily carve hills, valleys, and slopes into the Styrofoam to create a dynamic landscape that mimics real-life winter scenes. Additionally, Styrofoam is lightweight, easy to work with, and can be layered to add depth to your display. It also provides a stable base for your village pieces, while being sturdy enough to hold any additional decorations or accessories. 

Source: Thesimplecraft.com

Source: Tulsatinystuff

15. Straight on the Floor

Setting your Christmas village straight on the floor is a great option if you're looking for a spacious, open display. This approach allows you to spread out your village across a larger surface, making it perfect for creating sprawling towns, train tracks, or intricate landscapes that wouldn’t fit on a smaller platform. The floor provides a stable and accessible foundation, and you can enhance the scene with faux snow, blankets, or rugs to create a wintry effect. This setup is also ideal if you have children or pets who will love interacting with the village at their level, making it an inviting and immersive holiday scene for the whole family.

Source: Carole Price

Shop Our Christmas Village Collections!

To complete your Christmas village display, why not take it a step further and add themed collections that bring even more magic to your setup? Our Christmas Village Themed Collections offer everything you need to transform your village into a truly enchanting scene. From detailed buildings and figures to festive accessories, each collection is designed to elevate the look of your display and inspire holiday joy. Explore our Christmas Village Themed Collections below and find the perfect pieces to bring your winter wonderland to life!

Christmas Village Company Themed Villages

For more ideas on how to creatively display your village, check out my blog post on Christmas Village Ideas For Small And Large Spaces.