Christmas Treasures: A Festive Tradition in Hot Springs Village

Christmas Extraordinaire at the Huhns!

Imagine stepping into a winter wonderland where every corner whispers the magic of the holiday season. When you set foot into the home of Bill and Sara Huhn, that is precisely what you will experience. You are transported to a miniature Snow Village, meticulously arranged and enchantingly displayed. Each tiny house, sparkling light, and festive figure combine to tell a story, creating scenes so captivating that it’s impossible not to be swept away by the magical spirit. This is not just decor—it’s a painstaking testament to the Huhns’ joy for and love of Christmas, with every room filled with wonder, warmth, and cheer.

Upon entering their breathtakingly beautiful home, imagine being whisked away to a miniature Snow Village, set in a different time and place. Everywhere you look, the enchanting scenery permeates the atmosphere of the Huhns’ home, transporting you back to simpler, more serene times.

Bill and Sara’s village replicas reflect years of dedicated collecting, primarily from the renowned Minnesota-based company, Department 56. Bill shared, “First introduced in 1976, Department 56 is wholly owned by Enesco, a gift and home decor company.” Starting with just six lighted ceramic Snow Village buildings, the company has grown to offer hundreds of buildings and accessories, creating endless possibilities for enchanting holiday displays.

A tradition was born!

Snow Village came to Bill and Sara’s attention in the late 80s when they invited one of Bill’s business clients to dine out. Upon arriving to pick her up for dinner, the client invited them inside, where she had a display of Snow Village. Noticing his wife’s fascination with Snow Village, Bill took the plunge and gave Sara a Christmas gift that started it all. Sara enthused, “I was thrilled when Bill gave me the church; it resembles the church where we were married.”

Their collection has grown to approximately 150 different buildings and 450 accessories. While Snow Village remains the primary focus of their collection, they also showcase other Department 56 collectibles. Department 56 markets several different village lines, including Dickens Village, Halloween, and Christmas in the City, as well as licensed brands such as Peanuts, Harry Potter, and Christmas Vacation.

The Huhns have their favorites. Sara loves Christmas Lane, a very detailed subset of Snow Village. Bill prefers the Merry Makers, who are jolly little musicians, bakers, and confectioners.

Beginning in early November, setting up the villages is a time-consuming and painstaking process. In early fall, the creative couple starts discussing ideas and planning their displays, varying the village designs each year to keep things interesting. The mountains and snow-covered platforms are meticulously crafted by Bill, with intricate details carved into styrofoam. Tiny granules of “snow” are carefully placed to create the illusion of a winter wonderland. Bill said, “Designing is all about creating illusions.”

Bill, a former motorsports participant, says that while he gave up that hobby, Sara fully supported him through the years when he was racing cars. He feels it is important to reciprocate by supporting her passion for decorating their home with Snow Villages every Christmas season. Bill said, “We each bring different skill sets to the project.”

When the children spend the holidays with them, a scavenger hunt is held to see who can find specific details or items. Sara explained, “They are given around 25 questions to answer about the displays in a 30-minute timeframe. For example, where is the longhorn steer hiding? The family is very competitive, so it provides us with many laughs. The winner gets a rubber duck with the year on it.”

The Huhns mentioned that their collecting has slowed down in recent years, but they might still acquire a few pieces that catch their eye. Their current rule is to eliminate something from the collection for each new piece they add.

If the family is not visiting, the Huhns begin dismantling their artwork on December 26. “Storage space is a consideration when you have a collection of this size,” Bill explained. “Fortunately, our home has adequate storage for what we currently own. We have utilized off-site storage in the past for part of our collection. Of course, there are also the more ‘normal’ Christmas decorations we own and must store. It usually takes one to two weeks to take everything down and store it.”

In addition to sharing with their family, the Huhns host several open houses each year for church friends, golf friends, and neighbors. Nancy, a neighbor of the Huhns, stopped by to perform elf greeting duties at their latest open house.

The couple advised anyone considering adopting a tradition such as this, “Enjoy the process and start planning early.  We love sharing our love of Christmas with family and friends.”

Department 56 collectors clubs are located worldwide, and the Huhns belong to the Little Rock Club. Coincidentally, Little Rock is home to the president of the national umbrella organization, the “National Council of Clubs,” or “NCC” for short. The Huhns represent the Arkansas/Texas/Louisiana/Oklahoma/New Mexico region and travel to gatherings nationwide. Snow Village items can be found in gift shops and department stores. If you would like further information or have any questions for the Huhns, they can be reached by email at bshuhn@outlook.com.

Click on the video below to experience the Huhn’s holiday creations.

By Cheryl Dowden; Media by Joe Dowden