LEGO Winter Village 2023 | Developing a Layout

It's time to get my winter village 2023 under construction! In this update, I sort my sets before cleaning the under table. Next, I cut baseplates to size, laid out the train track, and tried a layout for the village.
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[@cyberi4a]

I was going to try a winter village this December for the first time and the first layout you showed would be almost exactly what I would have. No train tracks and one different set, but about the same size. I'm happy I saw this video, as now I know roughly what mine would look like. And smart idea to remove the photo op area of the skating rink and put a tree there.

[@CalliesBricks]

That was the first thing I did with LEGO and why I got into the hobby - just wanted a little winter scene that I created myself. It wasn't too hard to do if you have a few sets. I also ordered a few pieces from LEGO, including animals to give the village a bit of life. You'll have it a bit easier not needing to organize the building around a train track and account for the awkward spaces that creates. Instead, you could do a road, or a lovely cobble path. Most importantly though, enjoy the process!

[@cyberi4a]

@@CalliesBricks I figure by Christmas 2025 it will look better than it will this year. I never thought about getting animals to include. Thanks

[@STARLEGO12]

Beautiful CITY ❤👍

[@CalliesBricks]

Thank you! I'm planning this year's effort already. Other than using MILS plates, I think I want to be ambitious and put in a small mountain with a tunnel. 🫣

[@idonjohnson6999]

Just a note: the red triangulair pieces on the side of the reindeers on Santa's Sleigh set, aren't put on correctly. The top should be (as good as) flush with the top of the reindeer itself. You need to use the center hole of that piece to put on the stud.

[@CalliesBricks]

Oh, I didn't realise. I will look at the set shortly and make that correction. Thanks!

[@Laurie_in_Maine]

I love your 2022 version for the less busy charm of it all! I'm a year or more behind you with my collection - with a few retired must have splurges last year. Space-wise it looks like a perfect snapshot of a christmas village. Is it about 5x5 or 6x6 large baseplates? I like the idea of the built up individual bases to work on a section or 2 at a time. (I need to go back in time and look at your earlier videos as my inspiration starting point.!)

[@CalliesBricks]

The 2022 layout was 4x3 regular base plates. There's not much to it beyond the 5 sets (Elf Clubhouse, Santa's Visit, Main Street, Ice festival and the Christmas Tree) and I must say, I was very proud of it. There was plenty of empty space for a few more stories and it's all you need to enjoy the magical charm of a LEGO winter village. By 2023, I had more sets I wanted to incorporate, so it got bigger... same this year! Alas, I wasn't making videos back then - I had just discovered the LEGO hobby. Good luck with your village!

[@eligualtieri1612]

Give yourself more credit! It’s very impressive, especially for someone so new. It has a lot of depth and everything is centered around the tree and ice very nicely. In most videos, people just basically line theirs up next to each other and call it a day lol

[@CalliesBricks]

Thank you for the encouragement! My aim is to feel I have made improvement on last year's, while having a blast putting it together. :)

[@Marc76-qt7vp]

That village looks cozy with all the buildings and the tracks with white tiles. I think the ice rink is great too!

[@CalliesBricks]

Thank you - I do want a cozy village! I love the big ice rink as the center focus too - think it's a good set to bring the rest together.

[@grasswithflowers2991]

Maybe worth looking at the lego ikea boxes! The white colour is perfect for the winter village so it could be an easy way to create some height in the back! Otherwise maybe move the ski slope behind the track so it doesn't block the buildings?

[@CalliesBricks]

The IKEA boxes is a great idea! Will def pick them up for next year! Think you're right - moving the ski slope this year is the way to go. Just trying to determine how to make a dedicates Santa/elf area that I am happy with!

[@shroomzzz]

I have alot of the same sets. Yours is very cozy and fun! Great work!

[@CalliesBricks]

Thanks! I've made some changes since this video and I think it's cozier now. It's great that LEGO caters for winter villages with some great sets, so it's possible for anyone to start a winter village at any time. Do you have a favorite set in your village?

[@towncreator8838]

Building a winter village is the best time of year for me. Yours look fantastic! Good work!😀👍

[@CalliesBricks]

I agree, it's a magical time of year! Thank you! I think it's coming along nicely - got the MOC done for the Snow Guardians and the reindeer have arrived from Denmark. Excited to share the next update soon!

[@pecathat2010]

Buildings are my favorites in the Lego universe so villages come out before the holidays. I incorporated the Cozy House (31139) into my Christmas village. The plants were excluded and I used stray white plates and bricks to winter it up. The 31025 Mountain Lodge is one of my favorite lego offerings and is ready made for Christmas themes.

[@CalliesBricks]

I love buildings! It's why I had to start a city. I made the @brickartisan townhouse from the cozy house set and have instructions for the cozier home too. Such a great set! The Alpine Lodge? I love the way the did the fireplace in that set. :)

[@mikeunum]

Every Christmas i geut up my tree and under the tree i build the Lego Xmas Market with all buildings i own. Not much but it is my little world. This willgo on until i die. I started 16 Years ago and i'm 64 now.I have the old Lego Christmas Train not the new one because it's not thing.The old one is THE winner, haha. Happy to see that others have the same dream. Merry Christmas to all of you and God bless You and your Families.

[@CalliesBricks]

What a wonderful tradition! I would love that train, but missed out on a few gems as I just got into LEGO a year ago. There's something magical about a winter village/scene that brings pure joy. 🎄❄☃

[@nathancanaan102]

You should try to make a dog sled with all those huskies!

[@CalliesBricks]

Maybe even two or three! :)

[@atticbricks]

wow...very well...i like winter village But I haven't proposed it on my channel yet

[@CalliesBricks]

Maybe next year! I enjoy putting the winter scenes together as they are a bit different from the city buildings.

[@josephclarke5035]

Do you have a link for the alternate build 76403? A theater would be great. I bought this for the colors and want to add it to my WV.

[@CalliesBricks]

You got it! rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-122567/NicePartsUsage/christmas-theater-ministry-of-magic/#details

[@alexcpthalo]

What is the set number for the ice skate rink? Ive been looking for a skating rink for so long. Is it retired?

[@CalliesBricks]

Oh I’m afraid it retired at the end of 2022. It’s set 80109: Lunar New Year Ice Festival. Depending on your region, seems you can still get it for around MSRP! Happy hunting. :)

[@SORGIGERMANICO]

You say its not that impressive but i beg to differ

[@CalliesBricks]

Aww thanks! I hope each year to improve on my village. I fire up my tram and go to a happy winter place all year round - especially when it's a heat wave outside!