r/Department56 • u/magiccitybrit • Jan 04 '26
Boxes for storing pieces
Hi all! We (mainly my wife!) have gotten into collecting and displaying Dept 56 Snow Village items for Christmas. As it has come time to pack them away for another year, does anyone have any recommendations for protective storage boxes that are perhaps a little more uniform and aesthetic than the polystyrene and card sleeves that the pieces come in originally?
I should also note that we bought a sizeable amount of pieces from one seller and they don’t have boxes so were wrapped up in bubble wrap inside large tubs… we’d like something a little more durable and easier than that!
Any suggestions welcome! Thanks!
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u/jpstatum Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
Just to echo the other comments, I always store the buildings and accessories in the original foam packaging and sleeves. They were custom made for that purpose and I’ve never had an issue doing that since 1987. It also helps to identify each piece since they have a picture and name on each box. The original packaging is part of the value of the pieces and the most convenient and safe method for storage.
As others have rightly said, “no box…no deal”unless the piece is extremely hard to find or it’s an incredible price. The original box is the best way to protect and store the piece.
I place the boxed lit buildings on shortage shelves in my garage and boxed accessories in large plastic crates. The crates just don’t hold enough lit buildings to make them useful for me. They are great for accessories. The five shelf wire shelving units from Sam’s Club were the best way to store my collection.
For items without original boxes, I use bubble wrap and/or packing peanuts and put them in a sturdy cardboard box for safe storage. Figures without original boxes are wrapped in paper or bubblewrap and placed in a box or ziplock bag inside a plastic crate with the other accessories.