Holiday gift guide: over $200

Kinda wild to see BDP take 13 out of the 47 entries on the list.....

The only set in this category I got is the 75640 Baratie Floating Restaurant from One Piece, though with a discount that put it well in the previous bracket. Haven't build it yet, but doubt it will disappoint (after all, it is my most expensive Lego set ever,...)

As for the other ones, the only one I would actually consider is 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, but somehow I'm just not as enthousiastic about it as I should be.

And well, maybe more as a joke: 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle. After all, it would be nice as a second Himeji Castle: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xdXuYQgnoQ4APzxAA

Also, how much do you hate someone (and your own wallet) to gift them 42215?

No Star Wars?

Of course not, same to me this year. ;-(

I recently snagged Tudor Corner for 25% off at Argos and am looking forward to building it, but decided to do 10255 Assembly Square first as I've had that boxed up for 5+ years since I bought it.

Ironically, of the 47 sets, the only ones I own are BDP. I am very surprised that 20163 Neuschwanstein Castle did not appear here. That, and maybe Tudor Corner, would be the only ones of this threshold I am likely to get. I was also very surprised that 75409 did not make it. Capn, you stated that it was better! How does that make it a better gift?!

I loved Tudor corner, the steamboat and Neuchwanstein castle. The bricklinks I've had delivered were all good, especially Adventure in Translyvainia, the three on order I'm looking forward to, although I think they should be counted as 2026 sets because they don't get shipped till end of Feb. There's a lot I don't like on this list. I can't wait for the Enterprise.

@WizardOfOss said:
"Kinda wild to see BDP take 13 out of the 47 entries on the list.....

The only set in this category I got is the 75640 Baratie Floating Restaurant from One Piece, though with a discount that put it well in the previous bracket. Haven't build it yet, but doubt it will disappoint (after all, it is my most expensive Lego set ever,...)"

You, um... goofed up your link there...

@ikke in said:" @Huw, if you organize a poll amongst the readers for the best sets of 2025, I suggest dividing the "best minifig" in two categories: "best cmf" and "best minifig in a regular set". Usually a cmf wins, but I think it would also be interesting to see which regular fig is popular. "

I was disappointed that a CMF *didn't* take the win last year. I was pulling for https://brickset.com/minifigs/col444, not just because it's a great figure, but because Ice Planet 2002 is my favorite Space subtheme, and because we were on a two-year streak of redheaded gals winning that poll. (Yes, that picture shows her with a helmet, but the figure also came with a red hair piece to depict her bareheaded.)

@shaase said:
" @Garyslaw said:
"Man, I know why 10354 didn't make the list, but it's still disappointing. That set had the potential to be one of the bests this year, but Lego dropped the ball hard."

Its too bad Lego diverted focus on superfluous side builds instead of solely on Bag End...and that tree I mean what the F...? Given what Lego has done recently with botanical sets and even the other tree on top of Bag End is good....but that side build tree is just appalling. Even a toddler probably could of thrown together a better tree."

They have already done a Bag End set though, so presumably decided to do a little more than just Bag End in this more expensive / larger set.

60470 Explorer Train - we just built this at our house and it is a blast. (lucky enough to find it on discount at the local store for 20% off). I'm hoping to post a review of that set in the coming week. I do love the 10350 Tudor Corner and just picked up 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle during the insider days and am looking forward to building that set.

The aquarium! Lol…..nope!

Although I own none of these I’d vote for the best starwars set of the year : Jango Fetts Slave I.

Tudor corner is a close second for me

@TheOtherMike said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @WizardOfOss said:
"Kinda wild to see BDP take 13 out of the 47 entries on the list.....

The only set in this category I got is the 75640 Baratie Floating Restaurant from One Piece, though with a discount that put it well in the previous bracket. Haven't build it yet, but doubt it will disappoint (after all, it is my most expensive Lego set ever,...)"

You, um... goofed up your link there..."
Oh no! Can't believe I paid almost 180 bucks for a Duplo car!!"

Man Duplo has the worst PPP."

€7,50 per piece.....and then people complain because some sets are somewhat above 10 cents per piece. Tsssk.....

And dare I say that minifig looks nothing like LuffY?

I agree on The Black Pearl, but I would add the Shire (which I own of course) as a must-have in this category.

Well, with one dinosaur mad family member 76968 Tyrannosaurus Rex would make a perfect gift. And for anyone else 76457 Hogsmeade Village is a great cross between Harry Potter and Winter Village... Double the use - Double the value!

Some pretty cool sets in this price range this year. My favorites are 10354, 43263, and 76968.

@lluisgib said:
"Due that every year we are getting more and more expensive sets, you should think about a new category "Over $350" (or $400)"

And over $900 as well!

I'm tired of the giant $200+ sets at this point, and none of them this year really interested me. Of the 47, only 2 (2) are on my wanted list... 42215 and 76968. The former because I like sets with the big track pieces and, ignoring those hideous un-LEGO triangular panels, it looks cool; I would never consider buying it unless it dropped below $200. The latter because I like dinosaurs, but 76968 still looks like it's tripping over a log, and I've had a non-LEGO T-rex skeleton at the same scale for many years that I see no reason to replace. Both of these sets, therefore, will likely get removed from my wanted list once they retire. So this category gets no recommendations from me this year.

@shaase said:
" @Garyslaw said:
"Man, I know why 10354 didn't make the list, but it's still disappointing. That set had the potential to be one of the bests this year, but Lego dropped the ball hard."

Its too bad Lego diverted focus on superfluous side builds instead of solely on Bag End...and that tree I mean what the F...? Given what Lego has done recently with botanical sets and even the other tree on top of Bag End is good....but that side build tree is just appalling. Even a toddler probably could of thrown together a better tree."

Why do you guys continue to focus on a tiny part of that set & then deem the set bad? Bag End is great & was a fun build. Minifig selection is good, tent & other bits are nice. But sure, focus on one tree….

Apparently, this range is the one that most spoke to me for 2025. And I like so many of this range including the Aquarium but definitely passing on the chunky Christmas Tree and Twilight House. :o)

I'm so blessed to already own a number of these and am still looking forward to maybe getting 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle, 76300 Arkham, 76454 Hogwarts Main Tower, 10356 Enterprise, and 10365 Black Pearl.

Interestingly enough, I think I may be most excited to get 60470 Explorer Train.

910053 it has it flaw but the end result is great

@yellowcastle said:"...definitely passing on the chunky Christmas Tree and Twilight House. :o)"

I'll admit that the truck in 21354 looks pretty cool, but if I were going to buy a set that had anything to do with something called "Twilight," it would be 7680. Unless someone got a Spy X Family project through Ideas. *That,* I'd buy in a heartbeat.

@CapnRex101 said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Ironically, of the 47 sets, the only ones I own are BDP. I am very surprised that 20163 Neuschwanstein Castle did not appear here. That, and maybe Tudor Corner, would be the only ones of this threshold I am likely to get. I was also very surprised that 75409 did not make it. Capn, you stated that it was better! How does that make it a better gift?!"

75409 Jango Fett's Starship is my personal favourite set in this price range, but I tried to prioritise sets with the broadest appeal, or at least those that may appeal to people other than fans of the relevant theme, when selecting mine. Jango Fett's Starship is an exceptional set though and well worth having."

Does the Black Pearl have appeal outside POTC fans? If it was a brown ship with white sails I would buy it even if not a fan of the movies but I find it too black, especially with the sails, to be anything but the ship from POTC. I think that is the problem with this upper bracket, there are some great sets but you really have to be a fan of the IP or the theme for the gift to be truly appreciated. Conversely, if you are a fan of whatever theme, the big set from that theme is likely to be a great gift (unless you already have it.)

For the big kahuna beaucoup bucks models, my fave 10...
- 10356: Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D (amazing rendition of Next Generation's Enterprise. And an amazing and near perfect ST: Next Generation assortment of minifigs).
- 10360: Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (unique amazing two ship combo. NASA at its finest).
- 10365: Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship (striking all in black model. Commands the room. The details are just excellent).
- 41843 Family Christmas Tree Decoration (big beautiful tree with so much 'interior' details. Very unique Xmas lego set).
- 60470: Explorer Train (besides the train, great terrain and play features to go along with this).
- 75409: Jango Fett's Starship (a must have for the Star Wars fan. The accuracy, shaping is incredible on this. Might be better than the UCS Slave I?).
- 76968 Dinosaur Fossils: Tyrannosaurus rex (Just an outstanding model. The details, incredible. Totally commands the room, begs to be looked at constantly).
- 10350: Tudor Corner (another winner in the modular building line. The details, the price and possibly the best one in years?).
- 21356 River Steamboat (another great ship model. Looking for that unique look, with great interior/exterior details. This is for you).
- 21360: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (if you love the source material, love Gene Wilder's staring role version - I do, a must get).

@CCC said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Ironically, of the 47 sets, the only ones I own are BDP. I am very surprised that 20163 Neuschwanstein Castle did not appear here. That, and maybe Tudor Corner, would be the only ones of this threshold I am likely to get. I was also very surprised that 75409 did not make it. Capn, you stated that it was better! How does that make it a better gift?!"

75409 Jango Fett's Starship is my personal favourite set in this price range, but I tried to prioritise sets with the broadest appeal, or at least those that may appeal to people other than fans of the relevant theme, when selecting mine. Jango Fett's Starship is an exceptional set though and well worth having."

Does the Black Pearl have appeal outside POTC fans? If it was a brown ship with white sails I would buy it even if not a fan of the movies but I find it too black, especially with the sails, to be anything but the ship from POTC. I think that is the problem with this upper bracket, there are some great sets but you really have to be a fan of the IP or the theme for the gift to be truly appreciated. Conversely, if you are a fan of whatever theme, the big set from that theme is likely to be a great gift (unless you already have it.)"

Yeah, there are only so many Lego sets in this price range not tied to an IP that would make good gifts.