Lemax Spookytown Graveside Diner
I am a sucker for Halloween collectibles. A Halloween Village is a must for my Halloween decor. Locally you can find two brands of Halloween Villages that are worth taking a look at. Of course, there are the cheap pieces you can find in some of the bargain stores. One is very affordable and produced by Lemax called Spooky Town. Lemax Spooky Town can be found at all Michael’s Craft Shops. They usually stock the shelves in late July to early August.
You can really save money collecting this set by getting all the Michael’s coupons you can get your bloody little hands on. That generally amounts to a savings of 40% off each piece. This s a great start setting for children of all ages. Download the 2012 Spooky Town Collector’s List. WARNING: SPOOKY TOWN COLLECTING IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE!
If your collection gets too out of control, you can alway opt to sell some of them on EBAY. The amazing thing is that avid collectors of these pieces will pay up to 3 times the purchase price for in-demand retired pieces. I myself have been fortunate enough to reap the rewards of such a transaction. Each year I am amazed at what the fine people at Lemax dream up, from classic haunted houses to asylums. They truly listen to their collectors.
Walter and Larry’s Crypt
My second village of choice is Department 56 Snow Village Halloween. There are two distinct differences between these products. One is price and the other is how they look. Lemax has more of a dull rugged finish and Department 56 tends to be more polished, hence the price difference. Department 56 is sold locally at The Country Gallery in Wappingers Falls and can also be found online. The Country Gallery has a huge selection of collectibles and display materials. It’s a one-stop-shop for all your village components.
I think I have become enamoured with “Walter and Larry’s Crypt” and that may be my Halloween Collectible of choice for this season.
No matter which collection you choose, these creepy little villages are loved by everyone. From small displays to huge haunted villages, use your imagination to create your Halloween scene. For us die-hard display builders, we will be at the local hardware and craft stores grabbing up some foam and paint to get started carving realistic foam platforms to create a display to die for.
Why not have a Halloween village lighting party? It’s a great way to start off the Halloween season of celebration.
Tell me how to make this article better. I have been building my Halloween villages for about 10 years. What would you like to know?
E-mail me at ddavies@hudsonvalleyhalloweenmagazine.com.
Online Resources:
E-Hobby Tools: Lemax Halloween Village pieces
Christmas Central – Lemax Halloween collectibles
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