Collecting Lemax Christmas Miniatures

Lemax Christmas miniatures are a favorite of many people who collect Christmas villages. Not only does this company create uniquely detailed, realistic buildings and accessories but they have several "neighborhoods", each with a different style. A couple of them are not Christmas specific, but all except Spooky Town (Halloween themed) would fit into your Christmas décor nicely.

You can display them almost anywhere but because the villages can get to be large and pieces are breakable you will want them out of the way as much as possible. Display them on platforms under the tree or in small vignettes on out of the way tables or shelves.

Each village is unique different and has a different theme and pieces. You can mix and match as you like or stick with your favorite.

Caddington Village

Caddington Village is a classic turn of the century village just counting down the days until Christmas. The buildings are lighted and this collection includes the animated Palace Ballroom. There is also a carousel with both light and sound.

The figures are varied from carolers to a top hat seller and many more.

Carnival

Carnival is just that. Remember the excitement of the carnival with its lights and rides, unique foods and aromas? It's all here, in these village pieces.  Some of the pieces in this collection are:

• Ticket booth
• Ferris wheel
• Sideshow tent
• Animal cages

There are many more. Lemax Carnival is a set that you can add to your Christmas village or leave up all year.

Harvest Crossing

Harvest Crossing has a hometown atmosphere. The accessories tend to be autumnal and this would work well for Thanksgiving, however you could easily add the buildings to your Christmas Village for more versatility. There are over 25 lighted buildings in this collection and an animated windmill.

Figures include families and individuals as well as a variety of dogs, cats, and farm animals.

Plymouth Corners

Plymouth Corners is your classic, New England village. There are lighthouses, colonial style homes, and seafood restaurants. Everything you would expect to find in a sleepy New England fishing village is right here.

The figures match the theme of the village and even include a replica of the Seaman Monument in Gloucester, Mass.

Santa's Wonderland

Santa's Wonderland is a magical place, as the neighborhood where Santa lives should be. There are lighted buildings like the Toy Tower and Santa's Sleigh Station. Some pieces are also animated. For example, the Santa in the hammock swings between two trees.

Figures include, as you would expect, elves and the Claus's making ready for the big day.

Sugar and Spice

Welcome to your very own gingerbread village.  Houses are made of gingerbread and studded with candy. Even the people and animals that populate this enchantingly sweet village are made of gingerbread.
Buildings are lighted and there is an animated windmill that rounds out this collection.

Vail Village

Vail Village is a rendition of the classic turn of the century ski village. The lighted buildings include:

• Alpine Ranger Station
• Bucky's Trading Post & Casey's Camping Gear
  
• Mountain Breeze Retreat
• Mountain Weather and Rescue Station
  

Figures are everything you would expect from a mountain retreat.  Just a few of the figures are:

• Ice fishing
• Wolves
• Skate sharpener
• Bears
• Skiing

So if you are just beginning a new collection what is the difference between Lemax and Department 56? Lemax buildings tend to have more special effects; sounds, animation, and special lighting. Some of the lighting is LED while the Department 56 lighting tends to be from a small bulb in the interior of the building. This gives Lemax the benefit of being able to do more things with the lights; outside Christmas lights, blinking lights, etc. Department 56 buildings tend to have a soft glow through the windows.

Another difference is in the interiors of the buildings. Many of the Lemax buildings have display windows or interior displays that you can actually look in the window and see. The sizes of the buildings and figures are about the same so you can even add Lemax to existing Department 56 pieces and vice -versa.

Sometimes it helps to look at someone else's ideas as inspiration for your own. Here are some Lemax villages all set up to look at, drool over, and get ideas from.

• You can see some beautifully set up villages at Christmas Every Day 
• A variety of Lemax galleries
• Collector Central has an entire blog of Lemax items
• An image of a finished village

Collecting Lemax Christmas miniatures is a hobby that can take a lifetime.  As you add to your collection each year it will grow and develop into something unique and individual as you are.