I held a putz-house making party at my house last night, more info to come, it was So Much Fun! Meanwhile, as I gather my full report I wanted to share a tip: These miniature snowballs that I found at Joann Fabrics. Cute as a button and perfect for putz houses! Above: Doris used the tiny snowballs in the front yard and on and roof.
And above: Sylwia used them in the front yard and on the trees. I love how they add dimensionality, which I think is a word that I just made up, stands for dimension+personality.
If you “need” a reason to shop shop shop, plan a putz-making party for next year and use this time period now to buy up all sorts of itsy bitsy things to have your friends, family or coworkers use to make their putz houses.
I had six friends over — we all made Kate’s ranch house #1 — the putz house that started it all! Everyone had The Best Time, and all six of their houses turned out great. It’s amazing how different one little midcentury modern putz house can look, once you change up the paint and trim and landscaping. Hey, kind of like Levittown — which started with one house design, built house after house after house, but then, owners started individualizing them so they no longer looked cookie cutter.
DIY Putz house #1 — ranch house AND basic instructions for all houses 
Vintage Putz Houses — A history and online guide 
Kahiki tiki putz house — download our free DIY pattern 
Palm Springs rick rack roof putz house — download our free pattern 
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Lisa Compo says
Turned out super cute. The construction party sounds very fun.
I bought a metal camper (looks enough like my dream Airstream) at a cheap-O discount store and have been decorating that with little goodies also. Going to set up the whole campsite Christmas scene. Trying to get DH to build a model 1970s woody station wagon to go with it. 😉
I think you said it best the other day when you mentioned that 2018 is peaking with the retro goods. It’s amazing how much is out right now with a very nostalgic look. So much cute stuff…so few flat surfaces to put it all. Hahaha
Pam Kueber says
Wins quote of the week:
Carolyn says
OK, I’ll be the one to say it – could NOT for the life of me figure out why you needed mass quantities of bottle brush trees. It all comes clear now. And what a unique get-together idea.
Wanna bet those snowballs aren’t made on purpose but are scrap they couldn’t use in the Styrofoam packaging process? At some Lean meeting, someone noted how much the company was losing on loose beads and a gal piped up and said “hey, let’s package them loose as snow!”
WK says
Pam ,
I was just in Target looking at the Christmas baking section
They had some Wilton items to decorate gingerbread houses with that would look nice with your Putz houses
Santa with a sled meant to go on a house , doors and windows and one pkg of decorative candy canes to go on the gingerbread / Putz houses
WK Watts
Pam Kueber says
Oh, thanks for this tip, I’ll check it out! We have a small Target where I live, though, so they might not have these. Hmmm…. I”ll also look online. Thanks!
WK says
Pam ,
Speaking of Vintage Campers —have you seen the Target Vintage ” canned ham ” campers on eBay?
For the past two Christmases Target has sold them for $19
They are going for $100 plus this year
( Target’s version this year is a Teardrop camper .They picked up on the nostalgia factor this year and have four sizes / versions of sntiwue campers . Mercury tree ornament set, plastique ornament , and two tabletop sizes
WK Watts
Wendellyn Plummer says
So cute!!
Tarquin says
Not only did you have a party with your friends, but think of all the snowball fights your putz people will now have.
Debbie in Portland says
You had me at “putz-house-making party at my house”….
Pam Kueber says
Seriously, it was just about the best fun ever.
Neva Warnock says
I’d be interested in tips for throwing a putz-house-making party – sounds like exactly my cup of tea!
Barbara says
Ditto!
I had a putz DIY party 2 weeks ago. 18 friends, family and neighbors attended.
I will do many…more of these party get togethers in the future.
Thanks Katie!!
Pam Kueber says
Oh my gosh! 18 people! I’d love to see photos if you have them! I’ll email you!
denise says
Sounds like a fun time — this is when I need to live closer! 🙂
I would especially like to see the end results and how unique each one was.