Collecting Dept 56 Snowbabies Is Fun

By Cornelia White


Dept 56 Snowbabies are a popular porcelain collectible produced by Dept 56. The series features adorable babies dressed up for fun in the snow. The company first started out producing light up villages, and their popularity led to the company's expansion. They began producing other lines of collectibles, including Snowbabies. Unlike some other niche collectibles, this series seems to be popular among various collector groups of all ages.

Dept 56 was formed in 1976, when it released its first line of collectibles. There were six ceramic buildings in the first series, and although they were sold individually, they were meant to be combined into a beautiful light up village. These houses grew in popularity, which allowed the company to expand into other offerings.

In 1986, the first Snowbabies were introduced. They were crafted from porcelain bisque, and their cherub-like faces had delicate hand-painted features. Each of the babies were bundled up in snowsuits, scarves and mittens and were set to play outside. They were typically posed to recreated playful scenarios of having fun in the snow.

It was their charm and the sense of wonder they evoked which made them so popular with such a wide audience. The babies are still the main characters of the collection, but new supporting characters have been added and so have additional themes. There are babies posed with cute little animals, a more colorful Christmas series, a variety of hobbies and unique interests, and many others.

Some types of collectibles only appeal to collectors within a certain niche. However, Snowbabies seem to appeal to a much wider audience. They are often sought after by those whose collections encompass porcelain figures, babies and children, Christmas, and more. Because of their broad appeal, they are also quite popular to give as gifts to recipients who may or may not be avid collectors.

New items are added to the collection every year. This is just one contributing factor to their increasing popularity. Unfortunately, there are pieces that have a limited production, meaning once they have been retired they may become difficult or almost impossible to find. The company has already introduced several additions to both The Guest Collection and the Classic Collection this year.

Snowbabies are typically in high demand, making it more difficult if you are looking for a particular hard-to-find piece or one that has been retired. However, finding a local retail store that stocks at least part of the collection should be fairly easy. Many of today's popular gift stores sell them throughout the year. When trying to locate a specific piece, it may be beneficial to make a few calls to check the store's inventory before you visit. Many online retailers also sell Snowbabies, including the Dept 56 online store.

Collectors of all types adore Dept 56 Snowbabies. They appeal to collectors of all ages because of their youthfulness, which is captured in their delicate, hand-painted porcelain bisque faces. It is quite simple to purchase one or two pieces for your own collection from a local store. However, they are also a perfect gift for both avid collectors and potential collectors.




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