The Murphy's of Michigan

Gramma Murphy had a Christmas village that was spectacular! She had a guest book that people would sign when they visited. Girl Scout troops, school classes, social clubs, and many others came each year to see the legendary village. It was even written up in the Free Press one year.
When we lost Gramma, most of the village was moved to Aunt Margaret’s basement, were it filled one big room. A full-sized Christmas tree anchored the village at each end. The back walls were covered with dark blue paper that had tiny holes were poked through for small white lights to shine through. Santa in his sleigh full of packages and all of his reindeer where strung on fishing line across the night sky. The village was built on a base of boxes that were covered with cotton “snow” to create the illusion of hills and valleys. Tiny houses, each with a light inside, sat in the nooks and crannies. Churches, stores, and other lighted buildings were situated just right. A mirror formed a skating rink. It was upgraded to an electric lazy Susan so that the figures posed around the mirror were actually “skating” around the ice. A workshop was built from an erector set to such detail that an assembly line with toys and gifts moved along on the conveyor belt. Worker elf figures posed every so often and appeared to be working on toys. To a child, this was truly a magical place. I think it was even magic to adults!