Department 56

Department 56 is a giftware, collectibles and holiday decorating brand that began as part of Bachman's, a Minneapolis retail florist, where its wholesale gift imports division was assigned the number 56. In 1976 it introduced a series of six hand-painted, ceramic buildings that became The Original Snow Village. Now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the brand is known for hand-crafted lighted villages, Snowbabies figurines and extensive lines of holiday and home decorative products, and it appears within the Enesco family of brands.

Department 56 began as part of Bachman's, a premiere retail florist in Minneapolis, where a numbering system identified each department and the wholesale gift imports division was assigned the number 56. In 1976, Department 56 introduced a series of six hand-painted, ceramic buildings, the beginnings of The Original Snow Village. In 1979, the original Original Snow Village designs were retired to accommodate 12 new introductions. The brand is now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has become a leader in the giftware, collectibles and holiday decorating industry, best known for hand-crafted lighted villages, Snowbabies figurines and extensive lines of holiday and home decorative products.

A leader in the giftware, collectibles and holiday decorating industry, best known for hand-crafted lighted villages and Snowbabies figurines.

• The Original Snow Village

  A lighted ceramic village series that began with six hand-painted buildings introduced in 1976.

• Snowbabies

  Figurines for which Department 56 is best known.

• Dickens' Village Series

  A village series offered by Department 56.

• Possible Dreams Santas

  A Santa-themed product line offered by Department 56.

1. 1Department 56: Official Site for Christmas Villages, Snowbabies & Moredepartment56.com
2. 2The Story of Department 56 – History Behind the Holiday Magicdepartment56.com
3. 3Department 56 Gift Carddepartment56.com
4. 4Licensed Brands Collection – Department 56department56.com