Department-56 for Business Buyers: Your FAQ Guide to Villages, Ornaments & Collectibles

If you're in charge of ordering holiday gifts or office decorations for your company — like me, an office administrator for a 50-person firm — you've probably had a lot of questions about Department-56. I manage about $15,000 in seasonal decor and gift purchases annually, so I've learned a thing or two. Here are the answers I've gathered from years of vendor calls, trade show visits, and yes, a few mistakes.

What makes Department-56 villages different from other Christmas village sets?

From the outside, they all look similar — little houses, tiny trees. The reality is Department-56 spends a lot more on detailed sculpting and hand-painting. Their porcelain and crystal pieces have a weight and finish that cheaper sets (like the ones sold at craft stores) just don't match. I'm not a product engineer, so I can't speak to the exact manufacturing process. What I can tell you from years of unboxing is this: employees actually notice when we put out a Department-56 display versus a generic set. And that matters when you're trying to create a nice holiday atmosphere in the office.

Are Department-56 ornaments a good choice for corporate gifts?

Yes — with one caveat. They make wonderful corporate gifts because they're recognizable and feel premium. But don't promise anyone they'll increase in value. Collectible markets are weird (I've seen retired pieces sell for triple retail, and others drop). I had a CEO once ask me if the snow globe I ordered was an "investment" — I said no, it's a gift. That honesty saved us from awkward conversations later. Stick to the brand's warmth and nostalgia, not investment potential.

Can I mix pieces from different Department-56 collections?

Absolutely — and that's actually one of the brand's strengths. The Christmas in the City series, Snow Village, and North Pole series all use the same scale (1:87, I think? I'm not a model train person). I've seen offices combine a few lit houses from one series with figurines from another, and it looks cohesive if you keep the color palette similar. One thing I learned the hard way: check the light cord type. Some older pieces have different plugs. (Note to self: always ask about electrical compatibility before ordering mixed collections.)

How do I know if a Department-56 piece is retired?

Retired pieces have a small "R" next to the item number in the official catalog (as of December 2024). But here's the thing: just because something is retired doesn't mean it's rare. Department-56 retires pieces every year to make room for new ones. Some become collectible, some don't. I once paid a premium for a retired piece on eBay because I didn't realize it was still widely available — oops. If you're buying for your office, stick with current collection pieces unless you specifically want a retired design for a themed display. Check Department-56's official retired list to verify.

What's the minimum order for a small business?

Most authorized Department-56 distributors don't have a formal minimum for individual pieces — you can order just one snow globe. But when I started, I called several vendors who clearly didn't want to bother with my $200 order. It was frustrating. Here's what I found: smaller, family-run distributors are usually more accommodating to small businesses. The big wholesalers like B&N or Amazon Business handle small orders just fine, but you lose the personal touch. To be fair, I get why some distributors focus on large orders — their margins are thin. But good suppliers treat my $200 orders the same as my $2,000 ones. (When I was starting out, the vendors who took my small orders seriously are the ones I still use for bigger purchases.)

How to care for crystal ornaments and Department-56 figurines?

I wish I had tracked this better in my first year. Here's what I've learned from a few breakages (cringe):

• Wrap each figurine in acid-free tissue paper, not regular newspaper — the ink can transfer.
• For crystal ornaments, store them in individual compartments, not jumbled together. I use those plastic ornament storage boxes from craft stores (about $12 each).
• Clean porcelain pieces with a soft, dry cloth. Water can seep into the paint where it meets the ceramic and cause peeling.
• If a piece has a light bulb, remove the bulb before packing. The heat cycling makes the glass brittle.

One thing I ignored for years: keep the original boxes if you ever want to sell or trade pieces. Resale value drops 60% without the box (anecdotal, but backed by many eBay listings I've seen).

Why are some Department-56 pieces significantly more expensive than others?

People assume it's just the size. The reality is material and licensing cost drive the price. Porcelain and crystal cost more to produce than resin or plastic. Licensed themes (Disney, Peanuts, Home Alone) add a royalty fee that can double the price. I've seen a standard porcelain house retail around $85, while a licensed Peanuts figurine the same size sells for $140. Is the Peanuts figurine "better" quality? No — you're paying for the IP. That's fine as a gift, but if you're buying for a general office display, the non-licensed pieces offer better value. (Prices as of January 2025; verify current pricing on department56.com.)

Can I use Department-56 figurines for a holiday office decoration that's not a village?

Yes, and I've done this successfully. Last year I took a few small figurines (like the skating polar bear) and placed them on a conference room table with some greenery and fairy lights. It looked charming without needing the full village setup. Just be aware: some figurines are fragile (especially crystal ones) and might get knocked over. I learned that lesson when a cleaning crew broke a $65 piece. Now I put a small note on the display that says "Please don't move items — breakables." That simple note saved me about 6 hours of re-ordering drama.

Hope this helps! If you have other questions, I'm happy to share what I've learned — just know I'm not a certified expert, just someone who's processed a lot of purchase orders and learned the hard way what works.