Up until about two years ago I had never seen a Christmas village and had no idea what they were. But I married into a family where MIL and GMIL both do them to epic degrees and now I'm a bit obsessed, although I don't have the budget they do - or indeed the space... I have a two year old so the only place I can set it up is around my fireplace inside the fireguard where she can't get at it.
The first year I bought a starter set thing with three houses, a pond and some gubbins. The deal was that every year after that I'd add a piece. Last year I bought a pancake house (I do love a pancake!).
This year I'm already looking at either a fried chicken shop (don't judge me!), a pale blue cottage that looks like my dream home, or a tea shop.
Does anyone else have a family tradition of setting up a little village on a window ledge or some such? Do you have any photos / tips / just generally want to squee about it?