Holiday Putz House Decorating

What is a putz house?

A putz house is a small, often handmade diorama depicting a Christmas scene, typically featuring a miniature village, church, or nativity scene. The term "putz" comes from the German word putzen, which means “to decorate” or “to embellish.” In this context, it refers to the act of creating a decorative holiday display. The houses themselves are usually constructed of cardboard, wood, or paper, and often feature glitter, cotton for snow, tiny figurines, and sometimes even a small electric light to enhance the magic of the scene.

These tiny houses are usually grouped together to form a larger display, with the houses, trees, and figurines arranged to create a festive holiday village. Often placed under a Christmas tree, on mantels, or in windows, the putz has become an iconic symbol of holiday cheer.

Embracing and collecting Christmas nostalgia

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest…