I’m strictly a Dept 56 guy because I like the more realistic themes and collectible quality. But it’s fun to enjoy Lemax vicariously through this UA-cam villaging community. Always love hearing everyone’s faves.
What's your opinion on D56 this year and as of late? It may surprise many folks, but traditionally I am a bigger fan of D56 for the same reasons as you. The classic D56 pieces are all amazing. However, I am not a fan of the last few years. They had an amazing 2018 but after that, almost nothing I'm interested in.
@@SpookyVillages Dept 56 has definitely taken a hit in the past few years, I agree. They’ve released a lot of pieces I’d rate 7/10, while their prices have almost doubled. So that’s a tough value proposition. I collect the mausoleums though, and those have been consistently great. I also bought the Mummy House this year and think it’s pretty great. The harvest line is really awesome too, but that’s where the budget pain starts kicking in… I’m glad Lemax is having some good years, fingers crossed that Dept56 comes out swinging in ‘23.
@@geoffreyhdavey I would be VERY happy for D56 to come out swinging too! I have really enjoyed the harvest line, but outside of that not too much. I am hoping next year we get a vibrantly lit trick or treat house!
Hi Doug I love your list. And your orange shirt. Because of you I started a tiny collection this year. I got Raven Hill, Isle of Creepy Jacks, and the Pumpkin Tree House. I got them for 30% off and I lucked out since there was only 1 of each left (I went to multiple stores). I have a candle addiction so my Spooky Town collection will remain tiny for now :)
The Gloom Room is my #1. My village is a monster town partying on Halloween night so it's perfect for my vibe! Love your list though, as always very insightful 🎃
Great list and video!! I was surprised to see that you didn’t put the Pumpkin Crypt as #1, but your choice of the Count’s is incredibly valid seeing as it’s undoubtedly one of the best carnival pieces that has come out in years. I also agree that the main line was better than Michael’s, and I am interested to see if this trend continues. It’s also shocking to me as well that Michael’s didn’t have the ride, last ditch gas, OR Dr. Gory’s! Overall though, it’s been a great year for Lemax and I hope they can continue delivering at this level each year. Good luck with your village setup, can’t wait to see it!
Thanks for the video! Your past “Top 5” videos have really been helping me build my list for houses that came out before I started collecting in 2020. Really appreciate this channel!
Hey, Doug, I finally caved in and decided to invest in a building: the Pumpkin Crypt, based largely on your review and recommendation. (And Michael's price was less than I expected. 😊) It's still in the box, so...fingers crossed!
Great list of the best buildings this year Doug. I love mills also. It reminds me of the Sanderson sister's house on hocus pocus. You made great choices.🎃
Great choics !! i think Michlea's drop the ball on that one ,, No yankees candlel review this year was hoping to see if the double wick Witch Brew was worth buying !
Hi Doug! Awsome list and buildings! Your gonna have some sweet stuff to build around your roller coaster. Enjoy putting your village together. I'm sure the family is looking forward to it. My top 3 were Raven Hill, Lost Pumpkin Souls and The Future Looks Dark. Take care and happy haunting!
Headstone Mill Brewery is my personal favorite and my #1 pick of the year . Love the scenery , details , and especially the audio . Bat Bonanza is an excellent choice , but the price tag on it is ridiculously expensive . Great video and thanks again 🎃
Great list this year. I have 2 of them and may get a 3rd. Looking forward to your display. Tomorrow is day 1 of setting up here. Hauling everything up from the basement. Oh my aching back!
I bought my first one 2 years ago(the toy shop with the spinning eyes) and it doesnt work anymore. I babied it from unpacking it to packing it. And for the moving parts to not move anymore traumatized me. I bought that brewery this year and when I realized my fisrt one was broken I returned the brewery. I dont think its fair to spend $100+ and only get two years out of them. Im leaning on just getting "static" ones but they not as fun as the "moving parts" ones. Ugh decisions decisions.
That's a shame to hear but those reasons you state are why in my personal displays I typically opt for more of the static style pieces with vibrant lighting. Those are safe to know they will work year and after year!
I went crazy for accessories this year but I did go big for D56 and some older pieces. Doing lots of before/after a thanks to Kelly. I got your top two pieces and love them. Woohoo village idiots and cocktail hour.
I am trying to get Raven Hill, but it's been sold out for a while. 1 Michael's in my area had one, but it must have been dropped because it was in rough shape in the box. Lots of broken pieces. I did pick up Apparition Academy and Future Looks dark and I like those. My fave this year is Ghost Writers Antique Bookstore.
I actually thought it was a solid year for department 56. I though upchucks food cart, RIP 2022 Medusa crypt, and the mummy house were all really solid pieces, but as far as Lemax goes I like your list.
Thanks! I actually don't remember where I got it from. I have a bunch of flannel shirts of different colors and I wanna say Kohls is a good bet on this one, ha
I liked it somewhat but not for the price. I don't think it was themed heavy enough. I kind of regret not getting the cemetery house when it came out, but outside of that I think Trick or Treat Lane hasn't had a great addition since 2018 when the Black Cat Flat came out. Department 56 really hasn't had much going on for it since that year as a whole, IMO.
@@SpookyVillages I liked it too, but didn't buy for the same reason: price. Convert to Canadian + shipping, and it was way too much. I did buy the cemetery house, and it is huge, and for me, really ominous.
Yo Greg, it's a shame to hear that! I've seen a few people talk about it but it sounded like shipping issues in what i saw with damaged parts. Not surprised to hear if mechanically it's not super sound.
Can you turn off the sound and music from some of the buildings with scenes and music in them? We want to play one, but maybe turn off the others so its not overwhelming.
Yes, almost every house that has sound allows you to turn it off. There are very few pieces (several of which are railroad sets) that don't allow you to do this but pretty much every house that I can think of does allow sound/music turned off.
Looking forward to seeing your village this year, Doug!
Thank you for sharing these cool videos for our villages. I can't wait to see yours and I am going to start working on mine.
I’m strictly a Dept 56 guy because I like the more realistic themes and collectible quality. But it’s fun to enjoy Lemax vicariously through this UA-cam villaging community. Always love hearing everyone’s faves.
What's your opinion on D56 this year and as of late? It may surprise many folks, but traditionally I am a bigger fan of D56 for the same reasons as you. The classic D56 pieces are all amazing. However, I am not a fan of the last few years. They had an amazing 2018 but after that, almost nothing I'm interested in.
@@SpookyVillages Dept 56 has definitely taken a hit in the past few years, I agree. They’ve released a lot of pieces I’d rate 7/10, while their prices have almost doubled. So that’s a tough value proposition.
I collect the mausoleums though, and those have been consistently great. I also bought the Mummy House this year and think it’s pretty great.
The harvest line is really awesome too, but that’s where the budget pain starts kicking in…
I’m glad Lemax is having some good years, fingers crossed that Dept56 comes out swinging in ‘23.
@@geoffreyhdavey I would be VERY happy for D56 to come out swinging too! I have really enjoyed the harvest line, but outside of that not too much. I am hoping next year we get a vibrantly lit trick or treat house!
My favorite pieces are the non-animated porcelain lighted only
Hi Doug I love your list. And your orange shirt. Because of you I started a tiny collection this year. I got Raven Hill, Isle of Creepy Jacks, and the Pumpkin Tree House. I got them for 30% off and I lucked out since there was only 1 of each left (I went to multiple stores). I have a candle addiction so my Spooky Town collection will remain tiny for now :)
The Gloom Room is my #1. My village is a monster town partying on Halloween night so it's perfect for my vibe! Love your list though, as always very insightful 🎃
Yes!
on my list too!
Dr. Gory's Laboratory
Crypt of the Lost Pumpkin Souls
Count's Bat Bonanza
I just ordered The Creature's Custom Hot Rod Shop
Great list and video!! I was surprised to see that you didn’t put the Pumpkin Crypt as #1, but your choice of the Count’s is incredibly valid seeing as it’s undoubtedly one of the best carnival pieces that has come out in years. I also agree that the main line was better than Michael’s, and I am interested to see if this trend continues. It’s also shocking to me as well that Michael’s didn’t have the ride, last ditch gas, OR Dr. Gory’s! Overall though, it’s been a great year for Lemax and I hope they can continue delivering at this level each year. Good luck with your village setup, can’t wait to see it!
Gloom Room is my #1 this year followed by Dr. Gory's! So happy I have both!
Imagine if Lemax teamed up with Twilight Zone original series and Abbott and Costello?
I think my ranking would go like this:
1. Bat Bonanza
2. Gloom Room
3. The Future Looks Dark
4. Headstone Mill
5. Poison Pumpkin Potpourri
I was so excited to get my Dr Gory. Can't wait to incorporate it in my mad scientist area
Thanks for the video! Your past “Top 5” videos have really been helping me build my list for houses that came out before I started collecting in 2020. Really appreciate this channel!
Hey, Doug, I finally caved in and decided to invest in a building: the Pumpkin Crypt, based largely on your review and recommendation. (And Michael's price was less than I expected. 😊) It's still in the box, so...fingers crossed!
Great list of the best buildings this year Doug. I love mills also. It reminds me of the Sanderson sister's house on hocus pocus. You made great choices.🎃
Great choics !! i think Michlea's drop the ball on that one ,, No yankees candlel review this year was hoping to see if the double wick Witch Brew was worth buying !
Perfect video for a beginner like myself. Starting my list right here! Thanks Doug!
Glad you enjoyed it Kev!
Hi Doug! Awsome list and buildings! Your gonna have some sweet stuff to build around your roller coaster. Enjoy putting your village together. I'm sure the family is looking forward to it. My top 3 were Raven Hill, Lost Pumpkin Souls and The Future Looks Dark. Take care and happy haunting!
Headstone Mill Brewery is my personal favorite and my #1 pick of the year . Love the scenery , details , and especially the audio . Bat Bonanza is an excellent choice , but the price tag on it is ridiculously expensive . Great video and thanks again 🎃
Can’t wait to see your display!
Great list this year. I have 2 of them and may get a 3rd. Looking forward to your display. Tomorrow is day 1 of setting up here. Hauling everything up from the basement. Oh my aching back!
I bought my first one 2 years ago(the toy shop with the spinning eyes) and it doesnt work anymore. I babied it from unpacking it to packing it. And for the moving parts to not move anymore traumatized me. I bought that brewery this year and when I realized my fisrt one was broken I returned the brewery. I dont think its fair to spend $100+ and only get two years out of them. Im leaning on just getting "static" ones but they not as fun as the "moving parts" ones. Ugh decisions decisions.
That's a shame to hear but those reasons you state are why in my personal displays I typically opt for more of the static style pieces with vibrant lighting. Those are safe to know they will work year and after year!
You're making me want Raven Hill more than I did before! The question is - will Michael's drop price for Labor Day weekend? Fingers crossed ;)
Usually the heavy discounting starts mid September and by then the good stuff is gone in store. Hope you have the stuff tho!
I picked up the bad apple shop for 30% off at michaels a few days ago
I went crazy for accessories this year but I did go big for D56 and some older pieces. Doing lots of before/after a thanks to Kelly. I got your top two pieces and love them. Woohoo village idiots and cocktail hour.
I am trying to get Raven Hill, but it's been sold out for a while. 1 Michael's in my area had one, but it must have been dropped because it was in rough shape in the box. Lots of broken pieces. I did pick up Apparition Academy and Future Looks dark and I like those. My fave this year is Ghost Writers Antique Bookstore.
I actually thought it was a solid year for department 56. I though upchucks food cart, RIP 2022 Medusa crypt, and the mummy house were all really solid pieces, but as far as Lemax goes I like your list.
I love your pumpkin-colored flannel shirt! 🎃 Where did you get it?!
Thanks! I actually don't remember where I got it from. I have a bunch of flannel shirts of different colors and I wanna say Kohls is a good bet on this one, ha
Cool list. Just curious: did you like the D56 Trick'r'Treat house this year? Thanks for a great season!
I liked it somewhat but not for the price. I don't think it was themed heavy enough. I kind of regret not getting the cemetery house when it came out, but outside of that I think Trick or Treat Lane hasn't had a great addition since 2018 when the Black Cat Flat came out. Department 56 really hasn't had much going on for it since that year as a whole, IMO.
@@SpookyVillages I liked it too, but didn't buy for the same reason: price. Convert to Canadian + shipping, and it was way too much. I did buy the cemetery house, and it is huge, and for me, really ominous.
@@Thejanjan39 I have heard nothing but positive things from folks about Cemetery House so it appears that one was a miss by me!
Love the shirt doug
Good Vid Doug,, Trouble with the Bat Bonanza that I've been reading reviews on is that half of them dont work, or have issues,
Yo Greg, it's a shame to hear that! I've seen a few people talk about it but it sounded like shipping issues in what i saw with damaged parts. Not surprised to hear if mechanically it's not super sound.
This dude is handsome
You said you were going to review the clocksmith building but never did yet, are you going to get it?
Had planned on it but no Marcus, that and the Mummy place I did not get to
Is it possible to fix the sound on Blackstone Castle?
My top 3 crypt of lost souls 2 dr gorys 1 mummy mortuary
good list, I kinda regret not doing the Mummy building this year!
Can you turn off the sound and music from some of the buildings with scenes and music in them? We want to play one, but maybe turn off the others so its not overwhelming.
Yes, almost every house that has sound allows you to turn it off. There are very few pieces (several of which are railroad sets) that don't allow you to do this but pretty much every house that I can think of does allow sound/music turned off.