Department 56^® vs Lemax^®: What’s the Difference in their Christmas Villages?

While both brands are staples in holiday village collecting, they approach design, materials, and collectibility in noticeably different ways.

Founded in 1976, Department 56 has become one of the most recognizable and respected names in holiday village collecting. The brand is best known for its ceramic village structures and long-running, story-driven collections such as Dickens Village, Snow Village, and Heritage Village. Many of these village families have evolved over decades, with carefully curated additions released year after year.

Department 56 places a strong emphasis on architectural detail and thematic consistency. Buildings are often inspired by real-world architectural styles, historical periods, or well-defined fictional settings. This approach gives Department 56 villages a cohesive, grounded feel, making them especially appealing to collectors who enjoy building complete towns or historically inspired displays.

From a collecting standpoint, Department 56 is often associated with:

• Clearly defined village families and sub-series

• Release and retirement cycles that encourage long-term collecting

• Pieces designed to work together within a consistent scale and aesthetic

Because of this structure, many collectors approach Department 56 villages with completion goals in mind, tracking releases, retirements, and variations over time.

Founded in 1990 by Jack Lee, Lemax entered the holiday village market later than Department 56 but quickly established a strong presence through its focus on animation, motion, and visual energy, even though those first few pieces for small porcelain homes. Lemax villages are typically constructed from resin, which allows for lighter pieces and more complex molded designs that support moving parts, lighting effects, and sound.

Rather than building long-running village families in the traditional sense, Lemax tends to release broad, theme-based collections that change more frequently. These themes often range from classic Christmas settings to whimsical, contemporary, or novelty-driven scenes. This approach gives collectors a great deal of creative freedom when designing displays.

Collectors often appreciate Lemax for:

• Animated scenes that bring displays to life

• A wide variety of accessories and standalone pieces

• Flexibility when mixing themes or creating smaller vignettes

Because Lemax collections evolve quickly and are less rigidly structured, many collectors use Lemax pieces to complement other brands or to add motion and personality to specific areas of a display. These material differences affect not only appearance, but also long-term durability, storage considerations, and how pieces are handled year after year.

One of the most noticeable differences between the two brands is material choice.

• Department 56 primarily uses ceramic for its village structures, giving pieces a heavier feel and a more traditional appearance.

• Lemax typically uses resin, which allows for lighter pieces and easier integration of movement and sound.

This difference affects not only appearance, but also storage, durability, and long-term care considerations.

Department 56 villages tend to emphasize:

• Architectural realism

• Period-specific or story-driven themes

• Consistency within village families

Lemax villages often focus on:

• Action and animation

• Bright colors and visual variety

• Standalone scenes that don’t require strict continuity

Neither approach is better — they simply appeal to different collecting styles.

Animation is one area where Lemax clearly stands apart.

• Lemax frequently incorporates moving figures, rotating parts, and sound effects into its pieces.

• Department 56 uses animation more sparingly, often reserving it for select accessories or specialty items.

Collectors who enjoy lively displays may gravitate toward Lemax, while those who prefer a quieter, more traditional village often favor Department 56.

Department 56 is known for its village families, where collections are built gradually over many years. This structure encourages:

• Long-term collecting

• Completion of series

• Detailed inventory tracking

Lemax collections tend to be more fluid, with themes and designs changing more frequently. This makes Lemax well-suited for:

• Seasonal rotation

• Creative, mixed displays

• Less rigid collecting goals

Many collectors choose to use both brands together, especially in larger displays.

When mixing:

• Pay attention to scale differences

• Use landscaping elements to create separation

• Group animated pieces thoughtfully so they don’t overpower quieter areas

With careful planning, the two brands can complement each other rather than compete.

In my own holiday village collection, I’ve found that a mix of Department 56 and Lemax pieces works especially well when building smaller vignettes. Each brand brings different strengths to a display, and using them together allows for more flexibility and creativity.

Department 56 structures often serve as the visual anchors in a scene, providing architectural detail and a traditional village feel. Lemax pieces, particularly animated accessories, can add movement and energy when used selectively. When grouped thoughtfully, the differences between the brands become complementary rather than distracting.

Over time, tracking both brands separately within my collection has made it easier to plan displays, rotate pieces seasonally, and understand how different styles work together. Mixing brands isn’t about blending everything into one large village — it’s about using each piece where it fits best.

There’s no universal rule for choosing between Department 56 and Lemax.

Collectors who value:

• Tradition and architectural detail often lean toward Department 56

• Motion, variety, and playful scenes often prefer Lemax

Some collectors start with one brand and gradually introduce the other as their tastes evolve.

As collections grow, knowing which brand a piece belongs to helps with:

• Organization and categorization

• Display planning

• Storage and care decisions

• Avoiding duplicate or mismatched purchases

Understanding these distinctions allows collectors to build villages that reflect their preferences — not just what happens to be available.

Department 56 and Lemax both play important roles in holiday village collecting. Rather than competing, they offer collectors different ways to express creativity, nostalgia, and tradition.

Understanding how different brands approach design and collectibility allows collectors to build villages that reflect both their creativity and their traditions.