It's Time For: 1940s & 1950s Papier-MAchE Christmas Houses
Originally made as decorations for toy train displays, 1940s and 1950s papier-mâché houses and churches are sought after as Christmas antiques today.

“People put them on their mantels, in Nativity scenes, or on tables,” says dealer Tricia Breckenridge, owner of the Atlanta Antique Gallery. A Christmas collector herself, Breckenridge says the best examples have glitter snow on their roofs and fake spruce trees; some churches even have a light bulb inside so they can be plugged in and lit up.

“They are really whimsical, and they are very nostalgic for adults today who remember having them as kids,” says Breckenridge.

Prices start at $25 and go up as high as $1000, although the typical range is from $30 to $300, she says. Breckenridge advises looking for:

*Made in Japan stamp on the bottom, a sought-after attribute among collectors.

*Good Condition: Check that the house is in one piece, with a roof that is not coming off. If colors are faded, it may mean the item was in an attic for years and the heat may have damaged it. “Pick them up and feel them to see if they are in good shape,” says Breckenridge. “It is better to pay more for one that is in super condition than to go for the bargain that is falling apart.”

*Lights: Even if the light isn’t working, it usually can be replaced easily. "They're just Christmas tree light bulbs inside," says Breckenridge.

To learn more about collecting Christmas items, check out the Web site of the Golden Glow club (www.goldenglow.org), a group devoted to pre-1966 Christmas antiques.