Christmas Village Ideas For Small And Large Spaces

A Christmas Village, sometimes referred to as a holiday or winter village, is a miniature display featuring tiny buildings, figures, animals, and festive decorations like snow-dusted trees and streetlights. These villages are commonly set up as part of home Christmas decor, used to enhance popular tourist destinations, or to bring holiday cheer to businesses.

How to Set Up a Christmas Village for Any Space

Creating a cozy miniature winter scene at home begins with determining how much space you want to dedicate to it, whether large or small. However, there's no "right" or "wrong" way to design a Christmas Village display, as long as it captures your personal style and holiday spirit. That's the beauty of Christmas Villages, the goal is to create a scene that brings warmth and joy to your home, leaving the rest as a canvas for your creativity. But if you're unsure where to begin, you're not alone! Most people feel that way. Below, I’ve outlined a few simple steps to help you set up your Christmas Village.

Budget Considerations

Building a Christmas Village can quickly turn into an expensive hobby, especially with the wide range of intricate pieces and accessories available. For example, Department 56 Christmas Village Collectibles can cost anywhere from $45 to $250 each, with the average price being around $100 per item (Miller, 2017). And to think that a Christmas Village is made up of more than just one house or accessory, it becomes quite clear that it’s not an inexpensive hobby. The need for multiple pieces to create a complete scene can quickly add up in cost. However, you don't have to break the bank to build a beautiful display. Many collectors find great deals during sales, clearances, or even at yard sales where you can often discover charming pieces at a fraction of the price. By being patient and shopping smart, you can gradually grow your village without overspending, while still achieving the magical winter scene you envision.

Check out our daily deals to save money buying Christmas Village collectibles!

Step 1: Determine the Size of Your Display

Every Christmas Village is unique. You can create a village as large or as small as you like. The size normally depends on the number of village or houses you have or plan to include in the display.

For example, if you plan to make your village look like a vast sprawling landscape, then consider adding around 6-8 inch (15-20 cm) of extra space around every house. On the other hand, if you want it to look like tight-knit town, add around 1-2 inches (2-5cm). 

Displaying a Christmas Village in a small space can be just as enchanting as a larger setup with a little creativity and thoughtful planning. Start by focusing on the essentials like selecting the right platform and theme to maximize the impact in your limited space.

Keep in mind that creating a Christmas Village display is a fluid process, which means you may need to make adjustments along the way. 

Step 2: Choose a Platform for your Christmas Village

Selecting a Platform for a Christmas Village in Small Spaces

When choosing a platform for your Christmas Village display, consider various options such as:

• Table: Offers a stable surface for your village.
• Shelf: Utilizes vertical space to showcase your collection.
• Mantel: Creates a festive focal point in your living area.
• Unused ladder: Adds a unique and rustic element while saving floor space.
• Under the Christmas tree: Enhances the holiday atmosphere and makes use of otherwise unused space.
• Window ledge: Provides a charming view from both inside and outside.
• Atop kitchen cabinets: Utilizes high spaces for a creative display.
• Centerpiece on your dining table: Incorporates your village into holiday meals and gatherings.
• Side table or nightstand: Allows for a cozy and intimate display in any room.

Choosing a Platform for Large Christmas Village Displays

When selecting a platform for a large Christmas Village display, consider options such as:

• Large table: Provides ample space for a sprawling display.
• Under a Christmas tree: Creates a festive and immersive setting.
• Large plywood between two sawhorses: Offers a sturdy and flexible platform that can be customized.
• Entire dining room table: Utilizes available space and allows for easy viewing from multiple angles.
• Multi-level round pieces of plywood: Mimics a Christmas tree shape, adding visual interest and height variation to your display.

For more insights on selecting the perfect platform for your Christmas Village display, be sure to check out our dedicated blog that explores various options in detail.

Step 3: Choose a Theme for your Christmas Village

Choosing a Theme for Small Christmas Village Displays

Choosing a theme for your small Christmas Village is essential, as it helps create a cohesive and uniform look throughout your display. By sticking to a single theme, you ensure that all the elements harmonize beautifully, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

To inspire you further, here are some ideas on what themes you can build upon. You can also check out our very own themed villages, each designed to evoke a unique holiday atmosphere and spark your creativity.

Christmas Village Company Themed Villages

Other collection ideas include:
- Victorian Christmas Village
- Whimsical Elf Village
- The North Pole village

Choosing a Theme for Large Christmas Village Displays

When it comes to the theme of a large Christmas Village, you can choose to stick with a single theme for the entire display or incorporate multiple themes across different sections. For instance, you might create a North Pole village in one area, a carnival in another, and a depiction of simple community life elsewhere. Ultimately, what truly matters is the story you craft through your village, bringing it to life with unique scenes and elements.

Step 4: Plan the Layout of your Christmas Village

Planning your Christmas Village before diving into the setup is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps you visualize the overall layout and design, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious look. By sketching out your ideas or creating a rough plan, you can identify the best platforms and themes, making efficient use of the space you have. Additionally, planning allows you to consider the flow of the display, ensuring that each element is easily visible and contributes to the overall narrative.

Here are a few tips when planning for your Christmas Village layout:

• Outline the placement of Christmas Village infrastructures and figurines on the surface of the platform itself.
• Alternatively, you can determine the placement on a separate piece of paper.
• Drawing the layout is also an effective way to plan the electrical connections that will be made and concealed beneath the village.
• To conceal electrical wires and outlets, use a flat white sheet.

Photo from Marty's Musings

The joy of having a village lies in creating stories about the inhabitants as they celebrate the holiday season.

Step 5: Set Up the Flooring for Your Christmas Village

For your Christmas Village groundworks, consider adding artificial ground materials to create a realistic winter landscape. Options include:

• Glittery white leather for a shimmering effect
• White fleece for a soft and fluffy look
• Cotton batting for a cozy appearance
• For a cost-effective solution, you can also use a cardboard that’s spray-painted white or covered with fake snow

Additionally, using a brick or cobblestone pattern mat can effectively mimic roads within your village. And to further enhance the ambiance, you can add the following extra touches:

• Artificial turf for a vibrant touch
• Buffalo snow blankets for a thick, textured snowfall
• Wispy cotton to add an extra layer of snow

Step 6: Place the Christmas Village Houses and Accessories

Once you have completed the foundations, move on to placing the infrastructures and accessories according to your planned layout.

Here are several essential tips to consider when placing your collectibles:

• Houses that need to be plugged in are ideal items to place first to help plan the wiring.
• Next, place the largest houses first, followed by the smaller ones.
• Accessories should be added at the end.

What are Christmas Village Accessories?

Christmas Village accessories are essential elements that bring your display to life by adding action and character. These accessories include figurines of people and animals, objects such as streetlights, lamp posts, bridges, benches, and snowy trees that is engaged in the various activities happening in your village and at the same time enhances the winter atmosphere and adds depth to your village.

To explore a range of products to elevate your Christmas Village, check out our collection of accessories.

Remember, you don’t need to use every piece you own if you feel it is making your display look cluttered.

Step 7 (Optional): Add a Backdrop

The backdrop you select will be shaped by the theme you wish your village to represent. Ensure that it not only enhances the overall aesthetic of your display but also complements your chosen theme effectively.

• A white fabric can create a clean, snowy background that highlights the colors and details of your village, making it feel like a winter wonderland.
• A black backdrop adorned with lights can replicate a starry night sky, adding depth and a magical ambiance to your scene. This option works particularly well for evening or nighttime themes.
• A sky blue backdrop can evoke a clear day, providing a bright and cheerful contrast to your holiday decorations.

 

Extra Details

• For added detail, use mirrors to simulate frozen water in waterways and water features
• Incorporate light posts to illuminate your village
• Consider adding a train set to enhance the charm of your display

Once the season is over, where should you store your Christmas Village?

Once the season is over, store your Christmas Village in large storage tubs or boxes, and consider creating a Christmas Village map by drawing a simple layout of the display for reuse each year or digitizing it to ensure you never lose it.