☀️🌿 Summer is Calling… and So is the Next Issue of Village D-Lights 📬✨

If you’re anything like me, there’s something about this time of year that just feels full of possibility. The days are longer, the colors are brighter, and yes, believe it or not… it might just be the best time of year for Villaging.

That’s right. I said it.

While Christmas villages tend to steal the spotlight, summer Villaging has quietly become my favorite. There’s something so refreshing about working with lush green grass, vibrant flowers, and scenes that feel alive with color. And let’s be honest, there’s also the thrill of the hunt. Finding those Department 56 pieces without snow, or with just a light seasonal touch, can feel like uncovering hidden gems in your collection.

And speaking of exciting things in the works…

The Summer Issue is Coming Together

We are hard at work putting together what I think is going to be a really fun and inspiring Summer issue of Village D-Lights magazine. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes right now, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

One of the highlights for me personally is a project I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. I’m building a full Department 56 Williamsburg collection display. It’s a harder collection to track down, which makes it even more special. This will actually be my first time displaying it in its entirety.

The vision? A patriotic, summer-inspired village that really leans into the history and charm of Williamsburg. I’ll likely take a few creative liberties along the way to make everything flow as a cohesive village scene, but that’s part of the fun. Sometimes the best displays come from a little artistic interpretation.

Memphis, Here We Come

There’s also a lot of excitement building as we get closer to the 50th Anniversary Gathering.

Memphis is going to be something special. Bringing together collectors from across the country to celebrate 50 years of Department 56 is not something that happens every day. I’m especially looking forward to connecting with so many of you in person, seeing your creativity, and bringing that energy back into the magazine.

You can expect full coverage of the event in an upcoming issue, along with plenty of inspiration pulled straight from the gathering.

Don’t Miss the Summer Issue

With everything we have planned, this is definitely an issue you won’t want to miss.

If your subscription has lapsed, or if you’ve been meaning to sign up, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re on the list. We want to be certain the Summer issue makes it straight to your mailbox without interruption.

You can renew or subscribe anytime at www.villaged-lights.com or give us a call at 240-580-3219 and we’ll take care of it for you.

As always, thank you for being part of this community. Whether you’re building a massive Christmas display or a small summer vignette on a shelf, you’re part of what makes this hobby so special.

And if you’ve never tried a summer village before… this might just be the year to start.