How to Start a Christmas Village

When I first decided to start a Christmas village, I had literally no idea where to start. It seemed so overwhelming. So many details. I thought I’d need a fancy display board and maybe even a PhD in lights and extension cords. But after unboxing my first little set of houses (the vintage one I found from my last post), I realized it doesn’t take that much to make something truly magical.

You don’t need dozens of houses, tiny people, cars, trees, or a huge space in your home. All you need are few things that make you smile and a little imagination. So if you’ve been thinking about starting a Christmas village of your own, here’s how to do it—simply, meaningfully, and without losing your mind over fake snow, sawdust roads, and tiny stone bridges (which are not at all necessary, but are super cute if that’s your thing).

1. Start Small (And I Mean, Really Small)

The best way to start is with just one or two pieces. Pick a few things that speak to you, things you LOVE—a bakery, a church, a cozy cottage. It doesn’t have to be a “set,” and it doesn’t need to match (although it totally can, if you can find some that do).

Find a small spot in your home—a side table, bookshelf, a windowsill, or even under the tree (assuming you have one up, which I hope you do haha)—and build from there. A single glowing house surrounded by a bottle-brush tree or two is more charming than a cluttered village any day (IMO, of course). And the best part is, you can add on next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

2. Pick a Theme (or Don’t)

Some people love a consistent look—like an old-fashioned snowy town or a whimsical candy-colored street. Others choose pieces they love and figure out how to make them work together later. I’m an old-fashioned cottage type gal myself. I have the retired Dicken’s Village from Department 56 and I’m in love with it.

If you’re not sure where to start, think about what kind of Christmas makes you happiest…

• Nostalgic: tiny ice skaters, carolers, and snow-covered shops (totally my vibe).
• Rustic: cabins, pine trees, and woodland animals.
• Modern: clean lines, minimal snow, lots of sparkle.

Whatever you choose, your village should be a reflection of you.

3. Create a Simple Base

Now this is important, you don’t need a custom built platform or complicated backdrop to start a village. A little white felt, faux fur (like my fluffy tree skirt pictured here), or even a blanket or plain white sheet will work great for “snow.” Add a small piece of cardboard or foam under one side or at the back of a house to create height—like your village is built on a gentle hill.

If you want to get fancy later, you can add mirrors for ice ponds or wood risers for depth, but the goal here is to start simple—make it feel cozy and layered, not necessarily perfect.

4. Add Light

This is the best part! Lighting is where the real magic happens. Even the simplest house comes alive once it’s glowing from within.

Use a strand of warm white fairy lights or battery-operated tea lights tucked behind or under the houses. If you’re using vintage ceramic pieces like mine, plug-in bulbs or LED cords work beautifully (you can find what I use below)—but remember to hide those wires with snow or greenery, or bury them as best you can in the fake fur (I tried, but I didn’t do a great job, haha).

When you turn the lights on, the whole village will glow softly in the darkness, and in that moment, it’ll all make sense and you’ll never not have a Christmas village again.

5. Tell a Tiny Story

The charm of a Christmas village is in the little details—the mailman on the corner, the couple skating, the snowman waiting by the lamppost. You can add one or two figures or trees each year and slowly build your scene.

Maybe your first year, it’s just the bakery and a tree. Next year, you add the church. Over time, it becomes your family’s own little world—a story you add to every December.

This year, all I have are houses, and I’m okay with that—it’s mesmerizing to look at and I’m really not sure how much I want to add to it (yet, anyway).

6. Keep It Manageable

Villages can grow fast (ask any collector), so set some gentle boundaries with yourself from the start. It’s easy to get carried away and want to buy everything. Remember, there’s no rule that says a village has to be elaborate. A few well-placed houses can feel just as magical as a full-blown winter wonderland, trust me on this.

And then when the holidays are over, make sure to pack each piece carefully and label the boxes (or if your pieces came in the original packaging, make sure to reuse those). Future-you will be super grateful.

7. Let It Mean Something

The sweetest part about starting a Christmas village isn’t just the decor—it’s the ritual. Each year, you unpack those same little pieces, dust them off, arrange them just so, and watch them come to life again with that warm glowing light when you flip the switch to “on”. It’s a magnificent way to start the Christmas season.

And here’s the thing my friend, when you start a Christmas village, you’re not just collecting a few hand painted ceramic buildings, you’re starting a tradition—one that will stick with you forever. It becomes something you look forward to every single year.