Click the Village Post Office
to hear Perry Como sing
"Letters, We Get Letters"
Tuesday
November 29, 2022
Thanks for the kind comments - Santa will put you on the "NICE" list.
We truly appreciate your support.
Jay & Lori Haack: ". . . thank you so much for having this
video selected to the 2021 Hall of Fame! It is such an honor!!"
Linda Biello: "I love this website! There is so much to see,
so many fun things, and so many wonderful ideas
and inspiration for building a village. Thanks!"
David G. Spears: "Fun to read the new 'Christmas Corner'
column by Art Kilmer. It is easy to enjoy his style and
appreciation of the Christmas holiday. I look forward
to being a regular reader of his column.
Welcome to Art and family."
DRB: " . . . I am happy to share my
Christmas Village on your website. Thank you."
Gapen: "Thank you very much for your comments.
I am very happy. I did not expect so many people to
have seen it. Thank you very much for choosing it as
video of the month. This year I am preparing the new
village, we will try to improve it. Regards and thanks."
Joanna Villegas: "Thank you (for village video of the month)
I am greatly honored. I have visited your site a few
weeks ago and saw some of my village's pictures
in Jim Peters column last year. Thanks"
De Kerstdorpbouwers: "I'm looking on your site
and really love it! Haven't heard of it so many thanks."
Chiara Parodi: "It's a very big honor to be
included on the famous 'The Village Collector'
website with my small summer village! I've no
words enough . . . Greetings from Milano"
Peppe Apuleo: "I have seen the site and all the work
you have done. I wanted to congratulate you from
the very heart for all this work you do to make all
members of the community happy."
Lella Caiozzi: "... from 2021 I am a Lemax villager.
I just finished my first permanent marine village. I had
never done anything like this. Patience, stubbornness,
willpower but above all a lot of passion and a lot of
creativity have won over all the difficulties encountered
during the various processing phases. I only bought the
characters and houses, I created everything else. Sorry if
my English is not perfect, I used the translator google.
I send everyone a warm greeting from Italy."
Note: Lella now has two villages on the "My Village" page.
Joanne Perez: "Thank you so much again for
uploading my video into your beautiful website! I'm so
happy to be part of such a passionate group of people
who love Christmas villages just like I do! This is awesome!"
Fabio Cianconi, Italy: "It gives me immense pleasure to
have 2 featured villages on your site. I have this passion, which
gives me magic and emotion. I love to create everything in the
village, floors, levels, stairs, sea, mountains. I am also the
administrator of a Facebook group dedicated to the design and
creation of villages. Thank you and good day."
Craig Zander: "I just wanted to say Thank You to all
the people that make this happen. I do Christmas and
Halloween villages, and this site and info is so good.
Again Thank You !!! And keep up the good work."
Lisa: "Hi. I love Christmas Village.
Can I send my video and some photos?"
Editor: Absolutely! We love photos, videos & comments.
Giuseppe Apuleo: (Featured in "Village Videos") ". . . I am very happy
to be part of your site. Congratulations to you too for the work you
do on the site. I've seen a lot of things on your site and I really like
them . . . I live near Naples, Italy . . . with your site and all the pages
it contains, you are proof that good things come to those who are
willing to sacrifice themselves to achieve a goal that is useful
to a community."
Miriam's Manner: "That is awesome having this year's
video chosen again. Thanks so much!!"
Anja Porse: "Thanks so much for choosing my Christmas Village
video as video of the month. I really appreciate it. Now I feel
the pressure is on for this year. :)"
"Linda B: ". . . great "Coach is Here" page. Very funny jokes!
And I really like the pictures you have of New Hampshire
too. You have a wonderful website!
Jay Haack: ". . . THANK YOU for the honor of having
our video inducted into the 2021 Hall of Fame! A little
backstory: In 1984 my brother and I decided to give our
father the Original 7 Village buildings for a Christmas present,
thinking we'd be set for years and not have to wrack our
brains about what to get him each year. Our plan backfired,
as he loved the little buildings so much, he would purchase
them as soon as they came out, beating us to the punch! As
the years went on, Dad built a permanent display table in his
den, inviting all his friends to come see his village, adding pieces
every year and building table extensions. The extent of his
"addiction" was obvious when he got a separate credit card
which he gave to a Dept 56 dealer in the Amana Colonies in
Iowa, exclusively to purchase new pieces as they were released!
When my father passed away in 1996, his Village stayed up for
another 17 years before my mother decided it was time to take
it down. His collection was divided up between us kids, with
the exception of a few our mother kept to display annually
(she's nearly 92 and still sets up a few buildings at Christmas).
The display I set up every year is about 80% from my father's
collection, and it keeps me connected to him. My kids hear me
tell the stories of helping my dad set up his Village pick out
he perfect HO gauge train, and will hopefully carry on the
tradition when I'm gone. To sum it up, by honoring my little
video, you're honoring the legacy of my father. And for that
I cannot thank you enough!"
David G. Spears: "I really like the way Phil and Sue
put together Episode 7 - November 26, 2021. It made a fun,
interesting and entertaining story. Thanks for sharing with us."
PNW Christmas Village: "Oh my goodness! Thank you
so much for selecting my video!!! . . . Hoping to make
my village this year even better."
Greg Cassidy: ". . . I want to thank you for a wonderful ride
these past couple of weeks. I was first surprised that my
Spookytown video would be featured in The Village Collector,
and regardless of the outcome, I'm so honored that it was
included in the nominees for the Hall of Fame with so many
other wonderful and deserving videos. The real fun has been
showing my friends the world of villaging and my own display
something most of them didn't know about. They are more
familiar with my model railroading and model building. Every time
I visit your website, I explore another area. You certainly promote
the world of collecting and displaying villages in a wonderful and
prolific way. Kudos on gathering so much content and the obvious
work you put into getting it all online. You are an inspiration."
Greg & Rose Cummings: "Wonderful Wonderfull! I just visited
and saw our video along with the others listed. Even the one from
FRANCE! I'm looking forward to supporting the site and seeing the
other videos being featured. My wife, Rose, puts her heart, resources
and time into the villages she creates. It is a labor of love.Thank you
again for providing a platform for us and others
to share our passion for villages."
Berni: "I always like to come back to your site and
discover something new every time. I didn't know beforehand
how to have so much fun at Christmas. There is a lot to see
and a lot of fun, the pictures are excellent, and I will visit you
often in the future. Berni from Germany wishes you
continued lots of fun and success."
Linda B: "I love the jokes this month, especially the
Irish ones in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Fun!"
Chris Romanyszyn: "Hello, I came across your page through
various village videos and waned to share my family's
with you. We hope you enjoy it."
GMCummings: "Thank you for taking time to watch our video.
You've noticed some of the details that my wife puts into our village.
The ski area is probably 70% cotton. There are other materials
underneath to give it the elevated look and shape. The lights are one
of the highlights of the village. There are over 90 strings of light in
Merrytowne...all battery operated! THANK YOU so much for recognizing
our Merrytowne Christmas Village 2021 on your awesome site."
Tina Buda: "Thank you for choosing to air my video. That
warms my heart with so much joy and happiness! I'm so glad
that people are enjoying the video and never in my dreams
did I expect this honor!"
fs100fs: (forum member) "Visit from Germany.
Verry good Webpage. Greetings"
These two comments really changed my day for
the better. I can't thank you enough.
Bill
Mark Frendo: (During the 2020 Hall of Fame Voting)
"First and foremost I want to offer you a sincere Thank You for all the work
that you are doing for all of us villagers out here. I've visited the web site
quite a few times in the last couple of weeks, (who am I kidding I've been
on every day)! Aside from voting though I've taken a little time to look,
listen and learn a few things from what you have posted. I read the article
posted by Jim Kellow and he mentioned 'The Lone Wolf Villager.' Three weeks
later it still echoes in my head. Until three years ago that was me, 'The Lone
Wolf! So to make a long story really short... My wife Mary and I started
collecting in 1992. As you know back then you used to be able see these
wonderful villages set up in the stores. I used to love the mom and pop craft
stores who went the extra mile with their personalized crafts. You don't see
much of that anymore. For years it was basically the only other interaction I
had with villaging. Our village started to grow, slowly at first, but fast forward
to 2018 and we are the proud owners of 95 Dept 56 houses. Well during that
same time period there was the boom of something called the internet, you
may have heard of it! I never did well with computers in the beginning, and the
internet didn't interest me as much as it did others, (I still get my books from
the Library)! Even today I have no social media accounts, unless YouTube is
considered social media. And if it wasn't for the fact that they removed full
keyboards from flip phones, I would probably still have one! It was my niece
who told me that I really should start sharing the village with others by putting
a video up on You Tube. If it wasn't for her I'd still probably be setting up
my village to show to the neighbours, a few family members and a couple
of friends. Even after posting my first video in 2018, (so embarrassing)!
I was still oblivious to the village world out there. For me YouTube was finding
a 'fix it' solution, or watching old bands in concert. That was then, this is now.
All I do in my spare time now is watch village after village and love watching
what other villagers do. And the cherry on the cake now is your web site that
is trying to get the whole villaging world to come together. You Sir are a
star in my book! and 100% of that goes to Kathy too! Thanks to
the both of you for what you are doing, you have made my
special time of year even more so."
Caitlin: (During Halloween Week 2021)
"Hello! I am a visitor to your site from Toronto, Canada. I would like
to tell you how much I enjoy your website. It is such a nice refuge
online where one can relax and enjoy wholesome humour and beautiful
Christmas displays. I only have a few Christmas house displays which I
inherited from my grandfather. My favourite is the church. I found your
website through the "A Cozy Christmas" podcast which was a delight
to listen to. . . . Thank you for all you do!"
Elaine & Gene: "Hi Village Collector People . . . very spooky
Halloween Week card and the puzzle was fun! Happy Halloween
and may the creatures of the underworld bypass your houses."
David Fortney: "I found you guys when I joined the
dept 56 forum. This is a very nice site. I will be back time and
time again to see more village displays and folks who do them."
Allistair Rod: "... just visited your website and it has a
great collection of Christmas Villages from so many different
people. You've built an amazing community."
Marcel Drummer Official: "All I can say is Oh Wow!"
My Christmas Village Wonderland: "Thank you so much
for sharing our video! I feel honored!"
Ruben Dario Rios: "... today I discovered your page and
I am very happy. I was able to see the videos that you shared
and I liked them very much."
jkcarmona: "My video is a work done in family with much love,
from Columbia to the world. Infinity thanks to you and all
who take time to see this Holiday Villa."
Wicked Weenie: "Thank you SO much Village Collector for sharing
my video. Your comments mean a lot to just a small dog like me."
Stephan Claus: "Thank you for the honour of sharing my video."
Destination DeRo: "Thank you so much for supporting us."
John Nichols: "Hello, very glad I found your site. Here's the
link to my video. Thanks for supporting villaging."
Michelle DeLuca: "I just heard your latest interview with Art
on A Cozy Christmas. Three generations of my family are avid
collectors of all types of Christmas Villages and we proudly display
ours every year. It's so nice to hear about other people's enthusiasm
for this wonderful holiday tradition. Wish you all the best."
Elena Gefrom: "Just heard your interview on the
Cozy Christmas podcast, and enjoyed hearing all you
had to say. ... I'm going to share your website
with all my Christmas lovin' friends!"
Philippines Christmas Village Collectors' Club: "This is a very
interesting website that is family friendly, safe, non-commercial
site. It is highly recommended that you visit the website to
see great features and to get more ideas about villaging."
Felicia Grant: "Thanks so much for sharing our video.
Our kids are so thrilled! They put a lot of energy in deciding
where to place the elves (and the snow, so much snow!)"
Nicole Roberts: "Thanks so much for the great honor to share
my video. I hope to bring people happiness with my village."
Don Wolford: "Cheers! Thanks for recently featuring
my video. So cool! Such a great site."
Eloisa Francisco: "Love this. Thank you so much
for sharing my video!"
Tom Hunt: "Have you seen lots of traffic on
your website? . . . people I've shared it with loved it."
Elana in San Diego aka "Twinkley": "Just heard your interview
on the Cozy Christmas podcast, and enjoyed hearing all you had
to say. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!! I'm going to share your
website with all my Christmas lovin' friends!!"
Michelle DeLuca: "I just heard your latest interview with Art
on "A Cozy Christmas" and wanted to wish you and your website
a Happy Anniversary! 3 generations of my family are avid
collectors of all types of Christmas villages and we proudly
display ours every year. It is so nice to hear about other
people's enthusiasm for this wonderful holiday tradition!"
Norm Redpath: ". . . just checked out your web page;
very impressive . . ."
DecemberisComing: (my merry christmas forum) "I just visited
your website and WOW! So much to look at and enjoy.
Thanks for sharing. Love your pieces."
Andy Tran: "It's an honor to be chosen. Thank you very much!!!"
(about being selected for video of the month)
Christmasland: "Thanks!!! Thanks a lot for sharing our video!
pammy100: "Thank you so much for showing my video, that's quite an honor!
Gingerbread Latte: (my merry christmas forum) "I just checked out
your website for the first time. The pictures are great! I love seeing
what other people are doing and getting new ideas!"
Phil & Sue Adkins: "Thanks for the message regarding our
video being featured on the Village Collector website. What a fantastic
honour for us! Also, being published on . . . our wedding anniversary!
How cool is that! Can't wait to relive our Christmas memories and
share our happy village scenes with everyone in the
Village Collector Community around the world."
Ruben Dario Rios: ". . . I discovered your page and I am very happy.
I was able to see the videos that you shared and I liked
them very much . . . Thank you very much."
Pierre Passavant: "I am very happy to share the Christmas passion.
It's my life, my passion. Thank you so much!
We also get comments directly to our columnists as well.
Here's a sample of David Spears' Fan Mail:
“Confirming receipt of another wonderful edition of JSYK!”
“Many thanks. Please keep on writing!”
“I'm delighted, as usual. Thank you for your hard work!”
“Love reading your prose and humor.”
“columns 'newsy”
“Enjoyed the comments – thanks”
" feedback from a fan."
From David, and all of us here, Thank You!
Your response to what we do here is really
special to us, and greatly appreciated.
Barb Potje: "The calendars are a great souvenir.
Thank you so much for doing them."
Mark Frendo: "First and foremost I want to offer you a sincere Thank You
for all the work that you are doing for all of us villagers out here. I've
visited the website quite a few times in the last few weeks, (who am I
kidding I've been on every day)! ... I've taken a little time to look, listen
and learn a few things from what you have posted ... my spare time now
is watching what other villagers do. And the cherry on the cake now is
your website that is trying to get the whole villaging world to come
together. Thanks to both you and Kathy for what you are doing."
Lefty Crafty (Rolly): "Thank you for including me in the list.
(Nominee #23 for The TVC Village Video Hall of Fame)
I feel honored to be part of the Hall of Fame."
Karen Rice: "Thank You so very much for choosing my video to be a
"Village Video of the Week" - I was so surprised and excited! There
are so many beautifully made, professional Christmas videos posted
on your site, I never dreamed mine would be selected. Kudos to
TheVillageCollector.com for showcasing videos made by us novices
that love displaying and sharing our villages."
Soaring Hawk EO: "Thank you for choosing my video!
What an unexpected honor!
Mary Ann: "Thank you. Our listing looks great. I'll let everyone
in the club know about your website!
Myrna R: ". . . looking forward to many happy hours with this site!"
Ron H: "I will do my best to spread the word about
your website! It's really neat."
Mary Lou: ". . . I did check out The Village Collector . . .
it's very nicely done."
Mark Frendo: "The Village Collector website looks really good and
informative . . . Thanks for all you do for the sake of our Villages."
Don Williams: I just noticed the link for this website in one of the emails
from David Spears about the discontinuance of the Yahoo Group
discussion page. This website is wonderful! ... after looking at the
fab videos of some of the villages, they are totally unbelievable.
I will visit this site on a regular basis."
Elaine & Gene M: (about the 12 Days of Christmas) "Hi all you folks at
The Village Collector! I've started watching your site ... it sounds and
looks great. Thank you for such a beautiful card. We wish you all a
wonderful Christmas and a safe & warm Happy New Year."
David & Linda Spears: "Love your home in the woods of New Hampshire.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! . . . Very nice 'showing' on the
Video Hall of Fame voting. I know you have to be very happy
with the numbers."
Bonnie Cernosek: "Just wanted to say hi. I am from Sleepy Hollow, IL."
WintersElf: (from our Forum) "WOW! What amazing website and village
pieces ... makes me want to do lots more. It looks great and thanks
for using my picture due to my Mom being ill. I'm gonna cherish our
village pieces and wish we would have started this years ago."
Kim: "I'm new to your site and to "villaging". I have enjoyed looking around
at the info and pictures. Your entire site is very uplifting and entertaining."
Lbiello: (about the 12 Days of Christmas)
"Gotta love those Muppets with John Denver. My favorite"
Art Kilmer: (Cozy Christmas Podcast about his interview with Bill)
" . . . so far your episode is one of the highest downloaded episodes I've put out."
Barb & Shelby Potje: "... I've especially enjoyed the videos you've posted
over the last while. There has been some great work there ... we built a new
room for our village and the scary part is we don't even use all our collection."
David Spears: (about the 12 Days of Christmas) "The guitar version of
White Christmas by Doug MacCloud is great. Thanks for posting it.
Linda and I both enjoyed it "
Voilier Fuligule: "This Hall of Fame is a really nice idea!"
Phil Adkins: Loving the site and weekly updates.
I'm afraid it's changing from a hobby to an obsession!"
Miki Design: Thank you so much ... when I shared my video, the
purpose was to share a story and a dream leaving the watcher
travel in a magical world and forget the rest watching. That is
exactly what I feel when I watch such videos. Thanks again."
Sam Portelli: Thank you for sharing my Christmas village
on your website. Much appreciated."
Tom Jenssen: It's an honor to be featured on your website. Merry Christmas."
Lefty Crafty: "Awesome site . . . I shared it on my social media. God bless."
David Spears: "Congrats to Bill & Kathy on reaching
100,000 visitors on The Village Collector. I'm sure it
took a lot of work on the part of one, and much patience
on the part of the other. "Hi" to Mickey as well."
lostintimeNL: "That is so Nice. Thumbs up."
deborah zordan: "I (heart) this site"
Phil Adkins: "We are Lemax Villagers here in Northampton, England
and would like to see other villages for inspiration and appreciation."
Phil Adkins: "I have just found this site, and I can't wait to explore
it all! Already I'm 20 minutes late for going to work as I can't
put it down! Our Christmas village is just completed!"
Linda B: "I love all the info on this website.
The picture of your driveway is really pretty, and the
cartoons brightened my morning. Thanks so much."
David Spears: "The new logo/pin looks a lot better. Thanks!"
Art the Bookworm: "I'm a big fan of Christmas villages.
I love your website - the villages are beautiful."
BECZEL: "My family loves this hobby so much. My husband
and my six children all help in setting up our village."
Andy G. Matula: "Hello Bill, Mabuhay from the Philippines!
I love your website. It is absolutely awesome."
Diamond on Demand Films: "It is a joy to know that many
other people appreciate this art and . . . hope others
can be inspired to create a village of their own."
Villaggi di Natale: "The site makes me very happy.
It's full of information and great advice."
Andrea: "Your website has a lot of useful information and
wonderful pics and videos . . . congrats for your great job."
My Wonderful Crafty Life: "It's a wonderful website!!! I loved
the villages!!!! Made me want to make mine bigger this year!!"
North Pole Christmas Shop: "I enjoy your site. Lot of
wonderful villages and information."
Valerie Faria: "I am delighted to share my passion
with you. Thank you for your interest."
Pogon Lwow: "Hi! Your first flag from Kazakhstan
for your awesome website."
Jeff Westover: (MyMerryChristmas.com) "I greatly enjoy your site.
I love the homey feel and the personal tone of it."
Linda Biello: "I LOVE this website! I have so many new ideas after
seeing how creative some people are. It really puts me in the holiday
spirit. Every year I tell myself my village will be up and finished
by Thanksgiving, but it never happens until after.
Perhaps this will be the year!!"
John L: "Thank you very much for your comment, we appreciate
very much that you help us so that our Christmas village has
been more seen in www.TheVillageCollector.com and that
everyone can enjoy the work done.
Congratulations on your great work. Thank you."
Michele Thomas: "My youngest son and I were just
checking out your website!!!! It's great!!!!!!
We will check back and share!!!!"
Steve Flaunty: "Greetings from New Zealand.
All the best for the new year."
David Spears: "Interesting villages . . . Saw a lot of 'new to me'
stuff. Plan to go back and take a few more notes."
Sharon: " . . . your site is quite entertaining (full disclosure, have
only visited a few pages so far) and spreads joy. Great job!"
Ted K: ". . . like your website and appreciate the work you do."
Ponytramp: (MyMerryChristmas.com) "I'm glad you
joined MMC and told us about your website. I've been looking at it
and I LOVE it!! I am looking forward to exploring it more . . .
Keep up the good work!"
Todd Whittier: "Thank you! . . . I checked out your page -
very cool. I love watching Christmas Village videos -
Lots of talented people out there!"
Greg and Rose Cummings: "Thank you for creating a space for those
who have a passion for village creations and collections."
Wicklines: "This is such a beautiful website. Thank you for featuring our
song on your website! . . . this is so cool and truly a blessing!"
Phil Renninger: "Came across your site via a Facebook post.
I have been a Dept 56 collector for over 30 years."
Christmas Village World: "Thank you very much . . .
We knew your site, really rich in content."
Rowee Meh: "Wow! I check that out! . . . so awesome!"
Barb Potje: "I just wanted to say that I am enjoying your site very
much . . . It has been a pleasure to browse your site and I have
enjoyed your video links immensely."
Julie Brassington: " I just love your web-page . . . wonderful
information. As a long time collector I have been searching
for a page like this. Wonderful to know I am not the only one
obsessed with lovely Christmas villages!"
Greg and Rose Cummings: "We will DEFINITELY visit your site
throughout the rest of the year and beyond! With all that's
been going on in 2020, your site can be a
much-needed beacon of happiness!"
Jerry Lachance: "WOW I was not aware that there was such a website.
I will become a regular. Thank you."
WinterPep: "Keep up the good work with your
The Village Collector website."
Curt Wiegand: "Just found your site. Very nice . . . Thanks!"
Barb Potje: "I am enjoying the site and have gotten some great ideas from
your chosen videos/photos . . . it's almost impossible to find good sites anymore."
Frances Deffenbaugh: "I was so pleased when David Spears told me about
your site . . . I will tell my friends to also check in. Thanks so much!!"
Sue Smith: "Your site is a real treat! . . . Wow! This is amazing - awesome
and a long list of superlatives! Can hardly wait to send the link
on to other friends and collectors."
Velva Heck: "Thank you for doing this site. Little houses have been a love of mine
since childhood when I made cardboard to put under our Christmas tree."
