A village on the windowsill

A ceramic house does not need a felt mat and a bag of fake snow. One, or three of different heights, on a windowsill that already has a plant, is enough.

We keep two kinds. The ceramic LED houses are glazed white, window cut-outs, a raised tree on the front, a warm battery glow. The wooden cottages are unlit, or lit from a small bulb — they read as buildings, not toys.

A pair in white

Put the 20cm LED house toward one end of the sill, not in the middle. The 16cm house beside it gives a second height without matching. Leave a gap. Ivory cloth or bare wood underneath is better than a village tray.

The gold-trim LED house (17cm) is the one if you want a little metal at the eaves. One is plenty; do not line the whole shelf with gold.

Wood, and a kitchen house

The dark green wooden house sits well next to the white ceramic — a neighbour, not a twin. The natural light-up cottages (12.5cm and 10cm) are the smallest street: two on a mantel, or one on a stack of books.

If the kitchen wants something, the 15cm light-up gingerbread house belongs there, not in the hall.

UK delivery is complimentary over £50. Indoor pieces; wipe with a dry cloth, and keep spare batteries for the LED versions. Shop houses and villages.