If you think you’re the only one who likes staring at the Christmas village scene on sale house by house at the local store, think again and realize there is a whole group of people waiting for you to join.
Everyone loves looking at the little miniature houses and village scenes that are very popular at Christmas time. One of the most sought-after lines are made from a company called Department 56. There are collectors’ groups all over North America who meet and show their latest purchases and offer seminars to new members.
Norman Redpath and his wife Hilary were members of a group in Toronto but wanted to be able to share their hobby with likewise collectors and stay close to their Wasaga Beach home. They started the Georgian Bay Villagers and Norman Redpath spoke to BarrieToday about wanting to let Barrie and the surrounding area know they existed.
“We know there are more people out there who share the same love of these villages as we do,” said Redpath. “We’re hoping someone will see this and reach out to us and add something to their love of villages.”
While there are many producers of the houses and scenic displays, the most popular is Department 56. Redpath told BarrieToday you can collect any type of displays to join the group or even just have plans to start the hobby.
“Department 56 is the best of the lot, they have the most attention to detail and the widest selection,” said Redpath. “But truthfully, you can collect any type to join up. We just want to meet people and share ideas.”
The collector’s group meets every second month and with seven members currently, it is always at a member’s house. But the plan is to get big enough to have to rent space somewhere and make the meetings even more involved.
“There are seminars for new collectors, it isn’t just showing off our displays,” said Redpath. “We can show folks how to make the best displays, painting tips and such. It is a wonderful hobby and has brought us together with many friends.”
While Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery currently has a huge display for the Christmas season, the collecting can happen year-round.
“In the summertime, we set up our Margaritaville display that runs about six feet long,” said Redpath. “One of the most popular displays in the US are the Halloween ones, you can see that at Bradford Greenhouses now, too.”
If the task of being a collector seems daunting to some at first, Redpath advises you start small and slow and look for deals.
“It can get expensive when you first start because you’re jumping right in, but go on some of the buy and sell groups and look there,” said Redpath. “What can normally be an $80 purchase for a new house may end being $25 for a good used one. Filling it in with little people and scenery is some of the most fun you’ll have.”
“I bought my wife her first little house in 2004 and in 2013 we had eight,” said Redpath. “Now we have 200 around our home. There other people with much more though and we have a friend with more than 400.”
To be a member of the Georgian Bay Villagers, email Redpath at [email protected] or check out the Facebook at Georgian Bay Villagers.
