New Pages

We've added a couple of new pages to our blog, and will soon have them updated.  Soon you'll be able to see wonderfully detailed photos of our Villagescapes in our Photo Gallery page, and articles we have written in our Stories page. 

Great News! Now anyone can post

Just thought I'd let everyone know that for now, anyone can make a post to our blog. Want to make it as simple as possible to interact for you fans of Village Fantasies, and those who just want to share thoughts and ideas about harvest and Christmas villages.

Oak Glen from Winter of 2009

Oak Glenn-winter of 2009- thank you Riley's Farm

Great resource for Facts on Putz Christmas Villages

In case anyone is curious, you may want to check out this site for info on the traditional Putz villages that were originated by the Moravian culture that immigrated to the Pennsylvania area long ago.

http://www.victoriana.com/christmas/putz.htm

The Smell of Cider Brewing and a Christmas Village Display Around the Corner

Riley's at Los Rios Ranchos

Locally here in Southern California, many of us have a fall season destination where we can get away from the common everyday congestion and angry tirades that are encountered throughout an everyday clock cycle.  One of our family's favorites is the small mountain foothill town of Oak Glen just at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains above Yucaipa.  My own family has been visiting the town known for its apple orchards and village lifestyle for over 50 years now. The fall season brings the harvesting of numerous varieties of apples, amazing apple pie, and cleaner air to breathe than what we're used to on the lower flatlands.

One thing is missing though. A town Harvest Village Display, and when Christmas arrives, a Christmas Village display. Oak Glen would benefit tremendously from a grand display set up at a central point for visitors to linger around and enjoy as part of the yearly festivities.

After dinner at Hawk's Head Public House
at Riley's Farm in Oak Glen

Fall Ushering in the Harvest and Christmas Village Season

We may have finally reached our true fall season here in Southern California, as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday seasons. I should say the Harvest and Christmas village seasons, for those of you who are die hard villagers like us.  Would love to hear what everyone has in mind for the upcoming village displays. Not necessarily what pieces you are putting out this season, but how you plan on displaying them that is new. We're all about the creativity and design here, not so much about the collecting.

Christmas and Harvest Villages - A New Horizon

I was asked recently why I discontinued the main Village Fantasies website, even though it had risen to the top of the second page of Google and Yahoo alike under "Christmas Villages" and "Christmas village displays". It was a really popular site, but took too much work, and we felt it wasn't serving the purpose intended. We're hoping the blog and this fan page will rise to that same level of entertainment and following. Thank you everyone.

New Harvest Villagescape and Christmas Villagescape Photos to come

Stay tuned for some new photos and hopefully a video of our new Harvest Villagescape to welcome in the Harvest Thanksgiving season. Soon after we'll be unveiling some changes to our ever popular Christmas Village display, or I should say our Christmas Villagescape.

The harvest season is here!

Ah....it's finally starting to look more like a fall season around here. Clouds in the sky, blustery winds, and a few drizzles dampening the pavement. If only our maples trees would turn yellows and reds instead of that crispy brown we've come to know.

Thomas Kinkade Hawthorne Village collection

Anyone else incorporate the discontinued Thomas Kinkade Hawthorne Village pieces in their displays? Those are the Seaside Village and/or Lamplight Village pieces that are based on Mr. Kinkade's artwork of the same name. Wonderfully detailed and realistic collectibles that are actually my preference over Department 56, Lemax, and other collections. The detail is incredible, and even though made of resin(I believe), they are a denser product which prevents unwanted light from shining through the walls of the piece. It only comes through where you want it, the windows.

Thomas Kinkade's Windermere Church

Christmas Village or Harvest Village Displays?

I was curious if anyone is already prepping or thinking about their displays for the soon upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Whether you are getting excited about your next Christmas Village or our deciding to dabble and experiment with a Harvest Village display, we'd like to hear about your ideas or see your photos.

Great display photo

A very simple display without much creativity, but a wonderful photo as a result of the correct camera angle, and the depth of the photo with the hilltop buildings in the background.  Nice work.

Classic World War II era putz style village houses

Anyone have any of these World War II era vintage homes. Classics, and how must of us villagers got our start. I grew up every Christmas looking forward setting up our small display with several of these. Still have some, but unfortunately they're not in the same prime condition of old. 

Amazing Thomas Kinkade replicas

One of my favorite Hawthorne Village Thomas Kinkade replicas.  Unfortunately the entire line was discontinued as a result of the economic slump. Too bad.  The detail is far more realistic and refined than anything I've seen D56, Lemax, or any other collection put out. I have some favorite pieces from those collections, but they just can't compare.  Look at the realistic windows. You know how the light shines through the walls of the average village collectible? Not with these. The light only shines through the windows.  Everything is proportional as well.

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