Building A Lemax Miniature Scene

In the world of Lemax, miniatures bring joy for every occasion. A local friend, Michelle, has been collecting Lemax for years. She’s meticulous, carefully setting up and packing away her village year after year.

If you have any tips or advice to share about this hobby, please leave your comments in the blog below. I’m eager to learn more!

A charming Lemax miniature winter village scene, beautifully illuminated and surrounded by snow-dusted trees, captures the magic of a festive holiday wonderland.

Michelle highly recommends sticking to the Caddington Collection. The theming works beautifully together. Let’s face it, this isn’t a cheap hobby! Shopping for buildings and accessories is an adventure in itself.

I don’t have proof, but I once had an extensive train collection that spanned most of my parents' basement. It was scaled to HO. As a child, it was an expensive hobby, and building out the train layout took time. Perhaps that’s why I love miniatures so much—storytelling from a manufacturer’s perspective, piecing things together to create ambiance. It’s a creative art all its own.

My mother, being the kind-hearted woman she was, allowed extended family to move into our home. Unfortunately, that meant the free space disappeared, and everything was thrown away.

A charming night scene of a snow-covered Lemax village, glowing warmly with lights under a starry backdrop, capturing the festive spirit of a winter wonderland.

My biggest fascination? How the set lights up at night! There’s a sense of accomplishment when each section is lit just right. Maybe that’s why I also love Rollercoaster Tycoon. It lets me build a simulated theme park that needs lighting, garbage pails, and so much more. Again, it’s all about creating a story, even if it’s digital.

Pricing Tips for Lemax

I was a bit nervous about diving into this hobby, so I called Michelle for advice. Her pool table setup is absolutely amazing! She’s got to know something about this hobby, right?

And guess what? I was right! She had some fantastic tips to share.

• Stick to the brand. Mixing and matching can lead to scale issues that are hard to ignore. We can be our own worst critics!

• Look for sales. Local stores that carry Lemax often have sales, especially early in the season. Many don’t keep much inventory, so you might have to take a risk on low-stock items.

• Know your local stores. In my area, two stores carry Lemax. Michelle advised me to wait for sales at one of them, which made my budget much happier!

• Online prices can be tricky. I didn’t find Lemax online at prices I liked. Call me cheap, but Michelle confirmed she didn’t know of any online locations that offer sales. They probably don’t need to!

  
  

Where to Start for Setting Up Lemax

Ready to set up your Lemax village? Here’s where to start:

• Choose the right location. Think about the best presentation for your village.

• Decide on a focal point. Will it be an ice rink, a park, or a town square? Build your layout around this centerpiece.

• Layer it up! Michelle uses storage boxes under snow quilt batting to create layers. It adds depth and looks fantastic.

• Hide the wires. Keep electrical elements out of sight by hiding them under the fabric. Cut small holes to feed wires through for a realistic look.

• Secure those lamp posts! Michelle uses double-sided tape to keep them upright. This hides the wires and prevents tipping.

• Shape your scenery. Use a hot styrofoam wire cutter to create realistic ledges and hills.

• Cover with paper mache. Use paper towels and paper mache to shape and paint your scenery. The paper towel creates smooth, luxurious snow drifts.

  
  

I had a question about sinking the buildings a bit so they don’t look like they’re just sitting on top of the surface. Michelle had tips for that, too!

• Create cutouts for buildings. Place the building on a piece of styrofoam and trace around it. Cut out the shape with a styrofoam wire cutter. Label each cutout on the underside, as buildings vary in base size.

• Sprinkle loose snow. Cover imperfections and gaps with loose snow. Michelle collects this at the end of the season to reuse year after year.

  
  

Daniel grudgingly carries his Lemax Collection boxes, hiding his secret fondness for the festive treasures.

Lemax Storage

Lemax knows you take collecting seriously. Each box features customized packaging to securely hold the items without crushing them. Please don’t toss them like Rambo into a box at the end of the season! Take care of your collection; it should last you a lifetime.

Setting up takes Michelle over a solid week, and she leaves it up for three months. She’s invested in this hobby and wants to enjoy it longer than just a few weeks leading up to Christmas. If you visit her in spring, it’s still set up! It brings her joy and happiness to look out at the village and create her own storylines.

Hobbies are personal. Enjoy what makes you happy! And to anyone crafting on your idea, tough luck! Especially if they don’t live in your house, they really don’t have a say, do they!?

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Lemax and let your creativity shine!