Christmas Tip
Getting started on your Christmas village

Starting out is easy; just head to Joanne Fabrics, Michaels, or other craft stores that carry their own Christmas villages, to buy some buildings.

More expensive but more finely tuned are the Dept. 56 villages, available at some department stores and gift stores and online. New Department 56 items are pricey; try EBay for second-hand ones.

The North Pole village -- one of Dept. 56's most popular items -- runs from $45 to $100 per building.

There are about 25 North Pole Village buildings available right now, Shadid says.

Then there are the accessories. A package that contains the tailor elf who is measuring Santa's waist, and Santa himself, is $12.50. The elf's tailor shop is $85. Despite the cost for these hand-made items, Dept. 56 collectors swear they're hooked to the little worlds they've created.

"We have many people who have built additions on their house with the primary purpose of displaying Dept. 56 villages," Shadid says.