Just imagine ... snow-laden trees, wreaths at the windows, and welcome mats out.   These images have come to represent the charming buildings and soft glowing lights of The Original Snow Village® Collection.

One Christmas evening, a group of friends set off to enjoy a dinner of celebration at a small country inn located in a quiet river town.   As they rounded the bend in the road, they saw the small, old-fashioned village, decorated for the holidays, lights glowing amidst the fresh fallen snow.   All evening they talked of Christmas memories, the vision of the little town had brought back.   The idea to create a Christmas Village for everyone began that night.   It became a reality in 1976 when Department 56 introduced a series of six hand-painted ceramic buildings.

Since the beginning the Original Snow Village Collection has grown to include year of production pieces, holiday program gift sets, licensed pieces, buildings that recognize our American architecture, and a wide range of accessories.

Extensive research contributes to the charm and detail of each piece.   Each piece is individually hand-painted and each window hand cut.   Cast into the mold is the Department 56 logo-a guarantee of quality and authenticity.   Each year certain pieces are retired from production and the molds broken.   This limits the number of pieces and allows for new additions.   The tradition continues...