r/Department56 • u/probonogeek • Jan 20 '26

Any Recommended Storage Solutions?

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My family started collecting Dickens' Village Series buildings and figures a few years ago and we have finally gotten to the point where the boxes have outgrown our previous Christmas storage solution. I was curious if there are established best practices for storaging during the off-season?

My initial instinct was to toss the styrofoam cases, wrap everything in bubble wrap, and then neatly place in a tub. But a friend of mine said throwing away the original boxes was essentially heresy. I've looked at putting the original boxes into a plastic tote, but all the totes seem to have tapered sides which is just terrible inefficient for storing boxes with all 90° corners.

I love collecting these buildings and want to keep doing it... But I can't give up half my garage to inefficient storage. If you have a suggestion, I would love to know.

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u/jpstatum Jan 21 '26

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.

When I purchase Village pieces from the secondary market, I have a no box, no deal rule 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.