At the first home, the North Pole village is highlighted.  This couple has ALL the pieces of the North Pole village on display.  It is truly a village, with zoning restrictions and is usually taken down and put up again each year so that newer buildings can receive the highlight they deserve.  A wide variety of different lighting techniques are used, including hollow acrylic rods and LED lights.   They have learned many display tricks at the Gatherings that they have attended and you are urged to look closely to see which ones you can pick out.  It all began so innocently with a Mr. and Mrs. Claus received as a gift in 1992 for her Santa collection.  The collection grew slowly until - well, you know the rest; in one year it grew from 10 to 40!  It kinda got out of hand and now covers three and a half walls in the living room and has crept into the dining room and sunroom as well.  Originally, it was “her” collection and then “he” helped with the table construction.  But - a monster was created and it is now “their” collection.  Early on the statement was made “I will NEVER have a village”; but things change.  There is also a bonus Halloween display (the village they don't collect) in the family room. 

The second home is quite difficult to describe.  This collector is extremely creative and some of her work has been featured in publications such as the Village D-Lights.  One feature not to be missed is the casket!  Without plans, the casket was made from drawings seen on a website.  When you see it, you will not believe that it is foam - looks like the real thing, along with the skeleton inside.  Throughout the displays, special buildings are seen such as those from State Farm, Marshall Fields, Avon, the four pieces from Heinz and the Spam piece.  The collection includes the Snow Village with the original six buildings as well as six buildings from the Brockmann days.  This, along with the North Pole Village, is displayed in a large room, 27 ft. x 44 ft.  Then, in another room, 19 ft. x 24 ft., is the Halloween display.  All in all, over 600 lighted buildings are seen in the collection in ways that will amaze the viewer.  Many of the older buildings are displayed in several showcases for preservation.  Four Lionel Trains are also very evident and visitors will see a very unique set of displays with loads of creativity.  

The third home highlights the Dickens’ Village, the ENTIRE village.  Unless you are a “Dickens’ Addict”, you may see some buildings you have never seen before.  This homeowner even added a room on to the house to accommodate the village, the “Village Room”.  In addition to the pieces from the Dickens’ Village, all variations are also to be seen.  For example, the Village Church was produced in five color variations due to different production facilities - and - all of the variations are included in the display.  With over 400 lighted buildings, this is a permanent display constructed with plywood levels covered with fabric, cotton, and “snow”.  Different areas of the display show Victorian London, buildings from Dickens’ stories, commercial and retail areas as well as residential and rural areas.  Villages within the village!  A good variety of display techniques are seen including rivers and ports.  A few appropriate pieces from other villages are used, for example, to complete the port area.  This collector has also been able to display several paper models and an unpainted building.  Many good ideas will be taken from this visit.