Need opinions, Lemax Spookytown or Dept 56??

**2FacedMayor** · 03-09-2008,02:45 PM

Family needs an off season halloween fix so I decided 2008 is the year we start our halloween town collection. We have a decent collection of Dept 56 snow village Christmas pieces and we build a town every year. I want to get crazy with the backdrop and scenery for the halloween town though. For those of you who have collected both or have an opinion about Lemax or Dept 56, please let me know. I do know Spookytown is half the cost and looks just as fun (more scary actually). The dept 56 looks priceless though too, Im partial because of the nice pieces we have for Christmas. Help me decide!!

**Litenin** · 03-09-2008,04:17 PM

Congratulations on joining the world of the Halloween Village.

We much more prefer the Lemax Spooky Town over the Dept. 56. We too have an extensive collection of Dept. 56 for Christmas and also my train layout. But, you cannot beat the spookiness of the Lemax.

If you can find someplaces on-line that still have the older pieces, we think they were better. Try http://www.houseoftam.com/. We have actually become very picky with the new pieces from Lemax as they don't seem as spooky as the earlier pieces.

We do have some of the Dept. 56 Halloween accessories to add in with the Spooky Town.

Bottom line - go with the Lemax Spooky Town. You won't be disappointed.

**Rikki** · 03-09-2008,04:27 PM

Not only is Spooky Town cheaper, it seems to be easier to find. There are several retailers in my town that carry Lemax but only 1 or 2 that carry Dept. 56 and they don't have much!

**DarkKnightlives** · 03-09-2008,04:39 PM

I like spooky town better, its more spooky and some really neat pieces like Frankenstein castle and mummy tomb, Dept 56 is more PC less fun

**3SpookyChicks** · 03-09-2008,05:12 PM

I have some of both but definitely prefer Dept. 56. I love the spooky vintage feel and detailing.

Happy collecting!

**2FacedMayor** · 03-09-2008,05:30 PM

Originally Posted by DarkKnightlives

I like spooky town better, its more spooky and some really neat pieces like Frankenstein castle and mummy tomb, Dept 56 is more PC less fun

I agree, my first impression of the Lemax pieces was that they have more bite to them. I have my eye on some of the older pieces as well. What do you guys see as the must have pieces? Im diggin Dr. stretch n pull torture factory, creepy barn, haunted gallion, isle of doom, boogie mans hangout, Spookytown fun house, vampire castle and frankenstein's labratory. I followed the above link to house of tam, seems to be the real deal. Do the older pieces ever turn up at Michaels or ac moore? Is the internet store at full price the only way to get the older pieces besides ebay?

**Spookilicious mama** · 03-09-2008,06:30 PM

I have to say I prefer the Dept. 56 village. It might be more money but that's because it looks it. You can't compare the quality of the work and the paint between the two. If you have to do spooky town because of cost then by all means do so. So long as you are celebrating the season that is what counts, however, if you can afford the Dept.56 it is definately worth it.

**DarkKnightlives** · 03-09-2008,08:43 PM

Originally Posted by 2FacedMayor

I agree, my first impression of the Lemax pieces was that they have more bite to them. I have my eye on some of the older pieces as well. What do you guys see as the must have pieces? Im diggin Dr. stretch n pull torture factory, creepy barn, haunted gallion, isle of doom, boogie mans hangout, Spookytown fun house, vampire castle and frankenstein's labratory. I followed the above link to house of tam, seems to be the real deal. Do the older pieces ever turn up at Michaels or ac moore? Is the internet store at full price the only way to get the older pieces besides ebay?

the mummys tomb or whatever they call it is a must have the animation is awesome!

**MHooch** · 03-09-2008,09:43 PM

Lemax for me, for sure. I agree with you that it is edgier than Dept 56. I have quite a few pieces, but the Haunted Gallen, Isle of Doom, and Gothic Ruins are among my favorites. Also Monster's Ball...I love to watch the monster couples dancing away. But far and away my favorite piece is called Spookiest House on the Block...not really spooky, just a normal house with a grandmom at the door. But 2 sets of TOTers circle the block on a sidewalk (they are moved by magnets under the sidewalk) and they stop at the door to say "trick or treat"...ADORABLE!!

I have a few Dept 56 pieces, too. But like Lemax much better.