Review: 10340 Wreath
Posted by Huw,
10340 Wreath is the second such seasonal decoration LEGO has created, following 40426 Christmas Wreath 2-in-1 which, if I remember correctly, sold out at LEGO.com within days of its release in 2020.
Unlike that earlier one, this year's has been categorised as part of the 18+ botanical collection, perhaps to capitalise on the popularity of that series.
Summary
10340 Wreath, 1,194 pieces.
£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 | 7.5p / 8.4c / 8.4c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A fiddly build but the end result looks magnificient
- An excellent botanical parts pack
- Can be used year after year
- Realistic features
- Nice parts usage
- Some repetitve building
- Might not be suitable for those with OCD
- Needs careful handling
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
It's evident from the picture on the box that the set is packed with botanical elements, many appearing in new colours for the first time, including 74 dark green and 16 sand green small palm leaves, and 20 olive green and 12 dark green of the newer Leaf 2 x 6 x 1 with 2 Studs.
Take a look at New Elementary's article for a full list of the new parts and recolours.
Construction begins with an octagonal ring onto which the leaves and other decorations will be attached onto the myriad clips and bars. Four identical sections are built and then clipped together to make a circle, or in a line to make a garland. There's a lot of repetition involved, which may test your patience somewhat.
Four wall mount hooks are mounted on the underside to enable it to be hung from a door or wall.
Adding the leaves and other bits and pieces is also slightly tedious, especially if you want to make sure they are positioned and angled exactly as shown in the instructions, which is, of course, not entirely necessary unless you have OCD!
Everything you'd expect to find on a wreath is present and correct, including pine cones that make good use of dark brown minifig flat caps, dried orange slices that incorporate a printed transparent orange 6x6 dish...
...twigs of conifer, cinnamon sticks...
...and berries. Red holly berries are traditionally used in the UK, but if you prefer, you can swap them out for another variety using the alternative ball joints and flowers provided.
It's well worth enduring the slightly arduous building experience, though, because the end result is magnificent and very realistic. It's about 38cm in diameter, much bigger than the 2020 version, and on a par with one you might make from more traditional materials.
Unfortunately, it's not possible to unclip and disconnect the four sections of the ring to reconfigure them to the garland without stripping off much of the foliage. Needless to say, I didn't fancy doing that just for this review!
However you plan to display it, it'll look lovely in your home over Christmas and, unlike real wreaths, it'll last for years. That is, unless you dismantle it to make use of the wonderful collection of plant pieces in your own models!
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35 comments on this article
I can feel Christmas vibes already!
I'm not going to lie--when I first saw the photograph at the top of this review, I thought that it was a pile of loose bricks contained in the set, not a completed model.
Doesn't look bad, but not a set for me. For one, I just don't care about christmas decorations. But having recently build my first Botanical set (10313 Wildflower Bouquet), I did love the NPU, but the build was annoyingly repetitive. And this one doesn't seem any better in that regard.
Love it. Made the mistake of waiting too long for the last wreath, and it being out of stock until January.
This year hopefully Tuesday will start beginning to look a lot like Christmas with this and a few other festive goodies helping the snowy bakery on it's way to me!
It's on my list, it looks much better than the last one. I love the fact that you swap the colours out too.
As an individual with OCD, I appreciate the warning. The perfection is worth the tediousness.
They are releasing it quite early. Presumably for those people who put their tree up on the 1st of November.
@Ridgeheart said:
"I do have OCD, but I don't mind fidgety bits straying from the 'intended' poses of instructions and pictures. Mine manifests in other, even more boring ways.
I like this set, a lot. I also appreciate how easy it is to customise this set; I would, for instance, remove those orange-slices and replace them with other flora. I even have a suitable purpose for those orange-slices in mind.
I REALLY don't mind replacing the orange-slices either, because - well, putting those on Christmas-decorations isn't exactly commonplace here. As in, this is the first time I've ever seen it, and it freaks me out."
RE Orange slices: Same here. It's disturbing me and I don't know why.
I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun.
Amazing set for the price!
And I am saying this as a partpack, because if you really buying this for the build... Ok xD
I'm planning to order this set this week. Already ordered a few parts because the tan bands around the cinnamon sticks bothers me. It just doesn't look festive enough in that color so I'm gonna play round a bit. I think the ribbons should be colorful rather that bland but we'll see how it looks with red or something else.
@bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
Well said, and worth noting.
@bobaphat107 said:
"OCD [...] There is no medication [...] "
First, thank you for providing the actual definition of OCD.
As for medication, I have been prescribed fluvoxamine (generic for Luvox) which has helped a bit, though my case is fairly mild. However, according to Wikipedia, it may only be approved for OCD treatment in a few countries, and the Netherlands was not one of the ones mentioned (I live in the USA, but am currently on vacation in Denmark, so please ignore the location listed in the comment header).
Another day, another Icons set that costs more than the real thing. Still looks amazing though!
@bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
Is being manic, fun?
@Ridgeheart said:
"I REALLY don't mind replacing the orange-slices either, because - well, putting those on Christmas-decorations isn't exactly commonplace here. As in, this is the first time I've ever seen it, and it freaks me out."
Ditto on the orange slices here too in the UK. Commented the same on the reveal post a while back, apparently its common here, but I've never seen any with oranges in my entire life. Closest thing I've ever seen was the old 'Christingle' candles where you'd wrap it with a red ribbon and stud it with cloves too, but they're not a common thing either since the 90's.
@ricecake said:
" @bobaphat107 said:
"OCD [...] There is no medication [...] "
First, thank you for providing the actual definition of OCD.
As for medication, I have been prescribed fluvoxamine (generic for Luvox) which has helped a bit, though my case is fairly mild. However, according to Wikipedia, it may only be approved for OCD treatment in a few countries, and the Netherlands was not one of the ones mentioned (I live in the USA, but am currently on vacation in Denmark, so please ignore the location listed in the comment header)."
Off topic, I know:
That's precisely the medicin I used for about 10 years (in The Netherlands). But it didn't do much for me, especially when I used it for a longer time. And the downside was that I gained 20kgs over the years, most SSRI's/anti-depressants give you the bonus of added kilo's. So again: please don't act like ordering your LEGO or keeping a clean house has anything to do with OCD.
Huw: not meant to correct you, just wanted to point something out. BTW, LEGO is a perfect distraction from OCD, keeps you focused and entertained.
@bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
OCD can manifest itself in multitudes of ways, and not everyone manages OCD in the same way - I have OCD and take no issue / find nothing wrong with what Huw said. Also, just because you have this disorder too doesn't mean you speak for EVERYONE who has it and also frequents the site. Unless of course you're a psych doctor, then I would take your thoughts with a little more weight. ;-)
@Murdoch17 said:
" @bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
OCD can manifest itself in multitudes of ways, and not everyone manages OCD in the same way - I have OCD and take no issue / find nothing wrong with what Huw said. Also, just because you have this disorder too doesn't mean you speak for EVERYONE who has it and also frequents the site. Unless of course you're a psych doctor, then I would take your thoughts with a little more weight. ;-)"
I'm not easily offended so also not in this case. Just wanted to point something out, and I don't want to hijack the topic Wreath Review...
I don't pretend to speak for everyone, and while I'm no psych doctor, I am a (don't know how to call it in English) peer counseler(?). By that I mean, I lead peer contact groups of people that are done with their behavioral therapy and now have to manage on their own. So I have seen lots of different people with OCD, young and old, with severe issues or manageable.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
Is being manic, fun?"
Wow, that's just a shameful comment to make, StyleCounselor. They pointed out their issue with the OCD reference in the review and weren't mean about it yet here you are effectively making fun of their disease.
@GrizBe said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"I REALLY don't mind replacing the orange-slices either, because - well, putting those on Christmas-decorations isn't exactly commonplace here. As in, this is the first time I've ever seen it, and it freaks me out."
Ditto on the orange slices here too in the UK. Commented the same on the reveal post a while back, apparently its common here, but I've never seen any with oranges in my entire life. Closest thing I've ever seen was the old 'Christingle' candles where you'd wrap it with a red ribbon and stud it with cloves too, but they're not a common thing either since the 90's. "
orange pieces? Who does that.?
I understand popcorn.
Just a thought maybe to enhance smell other live leaves?
Think you answered my question.
It similar found
The great depression 1930s oranges were a scarcity and you would consider yourself lucky to receive one. Orange in your stocking.
There is also an alternative telling of this story which sees St. Nicholas throwing the bags of gold through the window of the young women's home, where they landed in their stockings which had been hung by the fire to dry.
This story has been around for quite some time, and there's even a beautiful painting depicting the tale that can be seen in an altar piece painted by Gentile da Fabriano in 1425. Experts suggest this "Miracle of the Dowries" may have given way to the more affordable option for families of placing an orange in the toe of the stocking, while paying homage to St. Nicholas' kind acts.
@Ridgeheart said:
"....our knock-off Saint Nick (Or is he the original? Who cares.)"
Ours easily predated Coca-Cola!
It’s very pretty, but the economics of it don’t make much sense to me. I suppose this is a wreath you only need to buy once.
@RoboticJesus said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @bobaphat107 said:
"I don't know what form of OCD other commenters are commenting on, but I also have OCD (and Tourettes as a bonus). OCD really has nothing to do with placing your LEGO neat and straight. It's Obsessive, from the obsession or intrusive repetitive thought which one tries to get out of his head by coupling an Compulsion (an act, activity or deed) to it to make the thought 'dissapear'. Which rarely happens so the compulsions often worsens over time. There is no medication and only behavior therapy works to some extend.
I have said this on other forums in the past, where it's common to mention 'I'm a little OCD about...'. No. You're not a little OCD about something. Maybe you're a neatfreak or very precise about things.
So Huw, I don't like how OCD is always used as a quasi funny term for nitpickers, just like a depression is no fun, borderline is no fun and being bipolar is no fun."
Is being manic, fun?"
Wow, that's just a shameful comment to make, StyleCounselor. They pointed out their issue with the OCD reference in the review and weren't mean about it yet here you are effectively making fun of their disease. "
Please, forgive me Robotic Jesus, for I have sinned.
You know, there was a time not so long ago when you would've been stoned for blasphemy for using that name. Now, you're accusing me of psycho-blasphemy?
We all need to be a lot less uptight, a little more introspective, and a lot more fun. Go build some Lego!
Poor Huw is never going to mention OCD again. DSM categorical language was in common parlance long before everyone decided they fell into a certain disorder category. Also, DSM categories have become shorthand for discussing tendencies which we can all manifest from time to time.
'Manic' was a term long before Freud, Jung, the Behavioralists, and the DSM. Have some fun with language. Life is short and we all have something... it's called 'mortality.'
"First you suffer. Then, you die"
I want to laugh a little with my suffering before I die. Thanks @Ridgeheart , I know you get it.
Now, stop trying to reign in my sweet, sweet, manic episode! I'm having fun here!!!
Does the wreath fit around 40743 Christmas Table Decoration ?
@WizardOfOss said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
"....our knock-off Saint Nick (Or is he the original? Who cares.)"
Ours easily predated Coca-Cola!
"
Yeah definately much earlier, the year 270-343 .
It's kind of weird we celebrate 6 december as his "birthday" while 6 december 343 was the date he died, and the birth date was 15 march 270.
But it's also understandable since this is a tradition to celebrate his birthday and especially focused in having younger children believe he's just fine and alive and visiting the houses to fill shoes with presents (and take carrot/hay/water bowl for the horse , akin to the milk and cookies they leave for Santa)
And then St. Nicholas "visits" 5/6 december with larger presents (which basicly was then adapted for Santa Claus, which has different historic origins with Midwinter / Father Winter / Father Christmas / Father Frost , much which sort of merged into the 1800s to form Santa Claus)
Still it's interesting from the Coca-Cola website :
"
Coca-Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping the jolly character we know today.
Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around the world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus.
But in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to paint Santa for Christmas advertisements. Those paintings established Santa as a warm, happy character with human features, including rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes and laughter lines.
Sundblom drew inspiration from an 1822 poem by Clement Clark Moore called “A Visit from St. Nicholas” —commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
"
Great review, but are not wreaths commonly placed outside the main door of a house? If a wreath made of plastic is exposed to sunlight, even during a few weeks, I believe it'll not last for years, since UV causes plastic to brittle and lose its color. The problem is bigger in the countries of the southern hemisphere, where the summer solstice almost coincides with Christmas.
@DFX said:
"Great review, but are not wreaths commonly placed outside the main door of a house? If a wreath made of plastic is exposed to sunlight, even during a few weeks, I believe it'll not last for years, since UV causes plastic to brittle"
Never mind years... It wouldn't last for minutes with the thieving scrotes round here!
@DFX said:
"Great review, but are not wreaths commonly placed outside the main door of a house? If a wreath made of plastic is exposed to sunlight, even during a few weeks, I believe it'll not last for years, since UV causes plastic to brittle and lose its color. The problem is bigger in the countries of the southern hemisphere, where the summer solstice almost coincides with Christmas."
We'll hang a real one on the front door -- my wife always makes one at a local garden centre -- and leave the plastic one on an indoors wall.
Pine cones look like poop emojis
It's a lot prettier than the 2020 version, and the inclusion of dried orange slices is definitely a thing in the UK (and I guess wherever the design team are from as well).
A couple more options of arrangements/parts/display possibilites would have been nice, as there's no way I'd hang a £90 lego set on my front door and the garland configuration looks a bit unfinished.
For whatever reason, I really like the look of this one. I think the foilage pieces really come together to make a unique shape (well - I guess not unique since it's just a circle - but you know what I mean! My family often gets a wreath as a gift from a family friend, but I sort of enjoy the idea of having a LEGO one as a unique little decoration. Perhaps something I'd get for my own living space. It's a bit pricey, but in all honesty not surprising to me.
Despite the orange slices not being much of a thing in the US as far as I'm aware - I like them a lot. I think they did a wonderful job getting the texture through with such simple printing and the transparency. Works enough for me! Also, I'm intrigued by the number of colored ball joints that come in the set. BIONICLE MOCers may very well enjoy them - unless they've all been produced in these colors before and I'm late to the game. Very likely!
The retail price of 10340 is comparable to the retail prices of some non-LEGO wreaths I looked at on Wayfair. However, many of the wreaths on Wayfair come with lights, while 10340 does not. By the way, I noticed a non-LEGO wreath that looks a lot like 10340, complete with orange slices, berries, and pinecones:
https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdp/primrue-24-pomegranate-orange-wreath-w009178787.html
Personally, I prefer the look of the LEGO wreath, but perhaps the wreath on Wayfair might be suitable for display on the front door, while the LEGO one could be waiting to surprise guests inside!
Yeah. Um. Kinda shocked the comments relating to OCD haven’t been taken more seriously. It really isn’t a throwaway funny little thing. It isn’t as trivial as it is referenced in the review.
I love this wreath! Citrus included.. actually regardless if I’ve ever seen orange slices on a wreath ever, it was the orange slices that actually caught my eye. It’s different, fresh and I can keep it up all year round, changing out certain parts and adding different items for different holidays.