AUSTIN— It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and for Debbie Belt, a Central Texas woman from Hutto, this season is extra special. For over a decade, she has been transforming her home into a stunning Christmas village, featuring an intricate collection of miniature buildings, creating a winter wonderland scene that has captured the hearts of family and friends alike.
Debbie’s Christmas village journey began around 10 years ago with the addition of a Harley Davidson village shop, inspired by her and her husband Steve’s shared love for motorcycles. However, the true magic began when Debbie came across an extensive collection of Christmas village pieces that once belonged to former Illinois Congressman Ken Gray. After both Gray and his stepdaughter, Marble Joiner, passed away, Debbie’s sister-in-law helped her purchase the collection, which would go on to form the foundation of her now-beloved holiday display.
Since then, Debbie has continued to expand and evolve her village collection, adding new pieces every year. The Christmas village is not just limited to the holidays; it blends together festive elements of Halloween as well. Featured houses include nods to the spooky season, with tribute displays dedicated to Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
“Every year, I try to add something new,” Debbie explained. “My son even gets involved by 3D printing little figurines like Where’s Waldo, Krampus, and Mickey Mouse, which I sprinkle throughout the villages to add a personal touch.”
The process of setting up the Christmas village is no small feat. It takes Debbie several weeks to get everything in place, with the most challenging part being the setup of the lights. “The trickiest part is getting the lights hooked up and discreetly snaked between the houses. Luckily, being married to an electrical engineer has its perks,” she laughed.
One of Debbie’s favorite pieces in her collection is a charming scene of a man sitting in Central Park, with a popcorn machine that, when turned on, makes little popcorn pieces pop. Another highlight is a working train set that runs around the village, much to the delight of her nearly three-year-old grandson.
“The magic of the village has definitely rubbed off on him,” she said. “He loves to sit and watch it for hours. Whenever he leaves for the day, it’s always ‘night night, village!’”
This magical holiday display, which continues to grow each year, has become a beloved tradition for the Belt family. What started as a small collection has now turned into a magnificent labor of love, spreading Christmas cheer and creating lasting memories for all who visit.
