Department 56 Villages - Creating a Base

Creating A Base

Sheets of floral craft foam, commonly called Styrofoam®, make an excellent base and are available at craft stores or floral supply shops. This product can be easily stacked and shaped to create different elevations, adding depth and dimension to any setting.

Materials Needed:
Styrofoam/floral craft foam
Plywood
Wallboard saw/electric foam cutter/sharp utility knife
Wire brush
Makig a Large Village Base
Large base (at least 4 ft x 8 ft)
Start with 8 sheets 4 ft x 8 ft white Styrofoam. 6 of the sheets should be 2" thick, one sheet 1 1/2" thick, and 1 sheet 3/4" thick.
Stack 2 of the 2" Styrofoam sheets on top of plywood.
Cut a 6" x 14" rectangle in both layers to create a 4" cavity.
Use 2 3-Prong power strips in cavity. Plug AC/DC and Adapters into the power strips.
With a hot wire or sharp utility knife, cut a variety of levels with the rest of the Styrofoam to create elevations.
Wooden skewers are ideal to keep levels in place.
Place houses as desired and light with six or twenty socket light sets.
Place accessories and landscaping to complete the display.

Making a Medium or Small Base:
Cut a free form or traced piece of white Styrofoam to fit a specific area such as the top of a hutch or sofa table, a wall or table fixture, or a basket or tray for centerpieces.
Cut a cavity to hide electrical cords or tuck them under foam.
With a hot wire or sharp utility knife, cut a variety of levels with the rest of the Styrofoam to create elevations.
Use wooden skewers to keep levels in place.
Place houses as desired and light with six socket light sets.
Use accessories and landscaping to complete the display.