Build a Dickens Christmas Village!

Almost everyone is familiar with the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens in 1843.  This is the story of a crochety, miserly old man who, on Christmas Eve is visited by the ghost of his deceased partner Jacob Marley and the three Ghosts of Christmas.

If you too enjoy the story, perhaps you would like to put together a Christmas Village with landmarks from the story such as Scrooge's house and the counting house where Bob Crachit toiled for a pittance.  Below you can see some of the options available in this theme.

First, the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, warns Scrooge that he needs to change his life or he will end up wearing chains similar to those he wears himself, forged from selfishness and greed.

The Ghost of Christmas Past then takes him back to his unhappy and poor childhood and shows him how his driving ambition for material wealth as a young man causes him to lose the love of his life and drives away his friends, leaving him alone as an old man.

Next, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge the Crachit family celebrating with what little they have and rejoicing in their family togetherness.

Finally, the Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge that he dies alone and no one mourns his death. In response, he pleads with the ghost, promising to honor Christmas in his heart.

When he awakens on Christmas Day, he displays generousity by sending a huge turkey to the Crachit family and visiting his nephew Fred. He gives Bob Crachit a raise in salary and became a benevolent and generous person.

The trailer for the new animated version of "A Christmas Carol" by Disney looks wonderful. The movie is set to release on November, 6, 2009.