Last year I bought a boxed Greenleaf Village kit for 1.59 at Goodwill. I shoved it in a closet and just rediscovered it. Seems like a good starter project and approiate for this time of year.
I have done some "miniatures" work before by doing a Halloween scene around a Yankee Candle metal house. What you folks here do is on a much grander scale! I've been reading and learning, I think I will enjoy this. Now if I can just not try to over customize and just get the thing built.
I think I need to go find some lights, trees and snow before they are all sold out.