Hey kids, It's almost Christmas time and there are plenty of alternative miniatures out there. The Christmas village stuff is arriving in stores now and there are plenty of opportunities to grab some great deals. The one I am referring to mostly is the giant bag-o-trees that come out this time of year. Everyone sells them, but the price can vary widely. Home depot has the best price at $4.95 for a 21 piece bag. I saw the exact same bag at a craft store for $19.99 so beware of rip offs. Of course you could always wait until after Christmas when stuff goes on clearance. They also have some very nice Birch trees in the same section, but they are a little more expensive. Don't forget to look for buildings at the dollar stores. When repainted, these can make some very impressive towns for just a few dollars.