Created for the diehard collectors out there, Department 56 is the brand that celebrates celebrations. Started in 1976 by friends who found themselves reminiscing over Christmases past, Department 56 has now become synonymous with hand-crafted lighted villages, in particular. Their line of Snowbabies figurines followed the original villages, as did the now extensive lines of holiday and home decorative items.

One of the secrets to the enormous success of Department 56 is the production quality of everything they bring to market. Their long tradition of using artists and artisans for their wares is obvious in the longevity of their figurines, tableware, and more. Rather than mass-produced pieces that quickly lose their value, Department 56 items make fantastic collectibles and will continue to retain their value.

To find great prices on all sorts of Department 56 collectibles, one place to try is the collectibles marketplace on the Internet. You'll find collectors selling the Department 56 classic snow villages, Snowbabies, Snowbunnies, as well as a variety of other village scenes including Dickens Village, the North Pole, Christmas in the City, Heritage Village, New England Village, Alpine Village, and more.

Whether you've got an extensive Department 56 collection going already or are just discovering the holiday good cheer that they bring to a home, try the Internet first to find that next piece you're looking for. Individual collectors also often run their own websites that are a nice way to connect with other fans of Department 56. As many of them believe, decorating in a festive style doesn't have to be limited to holidays.