In recent years, alongside the traditional nativity scene and Christmas tree, a new trend has been gaining more and more enthusiasts: Christmas Villages, real miniature holiday villages that recreate fairytale atmospheres and enchanting scenes.
Originally from the United States and Northern Europe, today they are among the most beloved Christmas decorations in Switzerland as well, where collectors and festive lovers dedicate entire areas of their homes to building and customizing them.
What Are Christmas Villages
Christmas Villages are small decorative settings that depict winter landscapes and classic holiday scenes: snow-covered villages, illuminated shops, ice skaters, moving trains, and festively decorated houses.
Each element, from the houses to the figurines, can be purchased separately and combined to create personalized compositions. Some villages are simple and compact, while others become complex installations with synchronized lighting and moving mechanical parts.
The charm of Christmas Villages lies in the ability to build your own little world, updating it every year and adding new pieces to your collection.
The Best Brands of Christmas Villages
In recent decades, several companies have turned Christmas Villages into true collectible works of art. Here are some of the most renowned:
Lemax
Among the most internationally known brands, Lemax stands for quality, detail, and variety. Their Christmas villages feature lighted buildings, animated figurines, and decorative accessories in both Victorian or modern styles. Each year the company launches new collections, making their pieces highly sought after by collectors.
Department 56
Well known in the United States, Department 56 offers iconic collections like “Snow Village” and “Christmas in the City,” known for incredible detail and realism. Many consider their products the top of the line in the world of Christmas villages.
MyVillage
MyVillage focuses on scenic elements, producing bases, mountains, and backdrops that allow you to create spectacular and realistic settings. It’s a brand highly valued by those who love to create complex and dynamic scenes.
Dickensville and Villeroy & Boch
Dickensville offers European-style villages with buildings inspired by Dickens’ novels, while Villeroy & Boch combines German craft tradition with elegant and refined design, perfect for anyone looking for a classic-style Christmas decoration.
The Most Popular and Appreciated Settings
Christmas Villages can take on a wide variety of styles and atmospheres, adapting to personal taste and available space. Some of the most popular settings include:
- Victorian villages: inspired by 19th-century England, with cobblestone streets, toy shops, and horse-drawn carriages.
- Alpine towns: perfect for those who love the Swiss style, with snowy chalets, ski slopes, and Christmas markets.
- Religious scenes or modern nativity scenes: combining sacred tradition with a contemporary decorative touch.
- Fantasy or fairytale villages: with elves, Santa Claus, and moving reindeer, beloved by children too.
Every collector can create their own ideal world, choosing from thousands of pieces and bringing a unique scene to life each year.
Christmas Villages in Switzerland: Exhibitions, Events, and Contests
In Switzerland, the passion for Christmas Villages is steadily growing. Some towns and associations organize exhibitions and competitions dedicated to collectors and fans.
Events and Exhibitions Not to Miss
- Christmas markets in Basel, Zurich, and Lucerne: in addition to the traditional stalls, they often host stands dedicated to Christmas villages, with displays and sales of unique pieces.
- Private exhibitions and public collections: in Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland, many enthusiasts open their homes or display spaces to share their creations.
- Themed contests: some modeling and Christmas decoration associations organize competitions among collectors, rewarding the most creative and realistic villages.
Taking part in these events is a great way to connect with a lively community and exchange tips on construction techniques, lighting, and maintenance.
How to Organize and Store Your Christmas Village
Once the holiday season is over, it’s time for the less fun but essential part: taking down, packing, and properly storing your village so you can reuse it the following year without damage or missing pieces.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to do it right:
1. Methodical Disassembly
Take your time and work in reverse order to how you set it up. Remove the smallest characters and accessories first, then buildings, and finally bases or structural elements.
2. Cleaning and Inspection
Before putting the pieces away, dust them with a soft brush or dry cloth. Check for damaged parts or bulbs that need replacing.
3. Safe Packing
- Use sturdy boxes or plastic containers with lids.
- Separate each piece with tissue paper, bubble wrap or soft fabric.
- Label each box with its contents (e.g., “Lemax Houses,” “Animated Characters,” “Snow Accessories”).
4. Where to Store Your Christmas Village
Avoid damp places or those with big temperature swings. Basements and attics don’t always offer ideal conditions: moisture can ruin paint or oxidize electrical contacts.
If you don’t have space at home, the most practical and safest solution is to use a Casaforte box. Casaforte temporary storage services offer dry, clean, and video-monitored spaces, ideal for safely storing delicate decorations like Christmas villages.
You can choose boxes of different sizes and rent them only for the period you need, with the convenience of accessing your items whenever you want.
If needed, you can also purchase packing materials directly from us.
More Tips for a Long-Lasting Collection
- Document your village layout: take photos before you take it apart so you can easily rebuild it next year.
- Store wires separately: to avoid tangles or damage, wrap them individually and keep them in a separate box. If you rely on Casaforte, we can also provide high-quality boxes and packing material.
- Protect valuable pieces: if you have rare or collectible items, consider wrapping them individually in soft cloths or using boxes with dividers.
- Update your inventory: keep track of the pieces you own and any new purchases. This will help you organize your village better in future years.
Christmas Village and self storage: the perfect solution for collectors
If you love Christmas, you know how much space decorations, lights, artificial trees, and especially Christmas Villages complete with accessories can take up. If you don’t want to sacrifice closets or cellars during the year, Casaforte self storage is the ideal solution.
- Custom-sized units: from small spaces for boxes of decorations to larger units for entire village collections.
- 24/7 security: video-monitored premises and controlled access ensure complete protection.
- Flexibility: you can rent the unit just for the post-Christmas months, paying only for the time you use.
- Optimal conditions: suitable environments that keep materials, paints, and lighting systems intact.
This way, you can store your Christmas Village in perfect condition and free up space at home until the next holiday season.
Christmas Village and Casaforte self storage: a perfect combination of passion and practicality
Christmas Villages aren’t just decorations, but small works of art that combine tradition, creativity, and Christmas spirit. They require time, dedication, and care, even out of season. Storing these miniatures carefully means preserving their beauty and making them last for years to come.
The Casaforte Hotel of Things represents a modern and smart solution for those who want to keep things tidy and safe without giving up their passion for Christmas. With units in various sizes, flexible contracts, and maximum security, you can devote yourself to your creations with the peace of mind of knowing your Christmas Village will always be protected and ready to light up the holidays every year.