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Northern Michigan in Focus: Christmas Village

Even though Christmas is over, the Christmas spirit is alive in one house outside of Big Rapids.

Corey Adkins explains in this week’s Northern Michigan in Focus.

“I don’t see myself stopping. I have been contemplating where I could put other stuff,” said Vicki Buffin. 

This all started when Vicki of Big Rapids would visit her Aunt Maxine during Christmas. She just loved her Christmas village. After her aunt passed, a serious hobby was born.

“It started out as a small memorial for my Aunt Maxine and it turned into a hobby, and now it is just a passion. It’s a true passion, I love, love, love doing this!” said Vicki.

That passion grew.

“My friend saw how excited I was about it and they started yard sales and Goodwill and Salvation Army shopping, and before I knew it I was shopping for them everywhere and I would buy totes of them for $5,” explained Vicki.

Six years later, her house is a winter wonderland.

“My biggest goal right now is just to collect as many as I can and not have duplicates, and right now I only want to duplicate. And I just love the fact that they’re all different,” said Vicki.

She has everything from a dog boutique, greenhouses to even bear caves.

“I really love a lot of them. I guess you could say I forget that I have them, so when I take them out in the fall it’s like ‘I forgot I had you,’” joked Vicki.

There’s even a tribute to her dad who served in Pearl Harbor.

There’s so much detail to her villages you wish you could shrink yourself and walk around

“It’s a hobby, I don’t think I’ll ever stop. I don’t think I could stop. I just think this is an overflowing, it’s my cup run us over feeling, that’s how it feels. I want kids to see this, I want kids feel that passion and I want them to know you don’t have to buy new stuff,” explained Vicki.

She doesn’t start taking this down until the end of February. But if you love something so much, why would you?

“I do I love Christmas. I think Christmas is probably my favorite time of the year,” said Vicki.

I’m sure her Aunt Maxine would be proud.

“I think my aunt is smiling right now and I think my aunt is very happy for one for her and my Uncle Duke. I would not have even gotten started, so was really a blessing that he said yes, it really was great,” explained Vicki.

 

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