Holiday gift guide: $25-$50 staff picks
Posted by Huw,
We end our second week of our holiday gift guide with staff picks in the $25-50 category.
Tomorrow we'll move to $50-100 and if you'd like to contribute you can find out how to here.
MeganL: 40426 Christmas Wreath 2-in-1
If you look to me for a Friends recommendation, then check out 41423 Tiger Hot Air Balloon Jungle Rescue -- it's a fine set with more adorable animals and another great story. (Also, honourable mention to 31105 Townhouse Toy Store). At this price point the hands down winner for me is 40426 Christmas Wreath 2-in-1.
It's a perfect gift for both LEGO fans and those who have yet to be introduced into this hobby. There are enough parts included to make the wreath your own, and I particularly like that there are configurations offered to make this a decoration that's suitable all year round.
Bonus points for having a box that will fit the finished model when it needs to be stored. But why would you want to put it away?
(no point adding a buy now link because it's sold out...)
Huw: 71365 Piranha Plant Power Slide
I own very few of the 101 sets in this price range and the best one that I do have is the wreath, but Megan has already picked that, so I'll have to choose something else!
If you're looking for a gift for someone who already has 71360 Adventures with Mario then this is the one to go for. Many of the expansion packs are fun for 5 minutes and require no skill to play. This one, however, does, and once you've mastered it, which takes a bit of practice, you can rack up some seriously high scores.
Chris: 70429 El Fuego's Stunt Plane
I completely agree with Megan and Huw regarding the excellence of 40426 Christmas Wreath 2-in-1 and would wholeheartedly recommend that set, if you can find it!
Other appealing options are available though. 71717 Journey to the Skull Dungeons offers exceptional value from the NINJAGO range and I like 70435 Newbury Haunted Prison very much as well. However, my highest recommendation goes to 70429 El Fuego's Stunt Plane which is among my favourite LEGO aircraft ever produced!
This model is fun to play with and looks fantastic on display, capturing the distinctive shape of traditional barnstorming aeroplanes. Moreover, the price of £24.99 or $29.99 represents great value and I think this is a worthy addition to any LEGO collection, even for those not interested in Hidden Side.
46 likes
12 comments on this article
I never encounted the Christmas Wreath.
I don’t understand why LEGO only produced so few of those sets..
I'm encouraged by the fact that the Christmas Wreath has gone from a status of 'sold out' to 'temporarily out of stock' (in the UK anyway), and several other Christmas goodies have come back into stock.
I'm also in the group of wanting to get my hands on the wreath. Unfortunately my eyes are forced to blink from time to time, and thus I missed the brief window of availability.
LEGO often appears to have a unique way of gauging supply and demand. Unless its some highly sophisticated marketing technique that has yet to explain itself to us.
I must say Megan's alternative recommendations are gorgeous as well. Megan you knocked it out the park for this price range!
El Fuego's Stunt Plane is surprisingly quite an interesting build especially around the engine housing, and there are lots of sloping tiles around the body which help give a more rounded shape. The wings are also made from small plates which are useful in model B's. I'm not sure what the story is with the freaky jet pack guy but the hidden side part is quite clever and doesn't appear to have added to the price per piece which is nice.
Anyone know if Hidden Side is continuing next year? All current sets have a retirement date of 31/12/20 and there were none in next years retailer's magazine
I believe the Hidden Side theme is wrapped up now. Just2good had a video lamenting that. But I don’t have any further additional proof.
@paulrothwell said:
"Anyone know if Hidden Side is continuing next year? All current sets have a retirement date of 31/12/20 and there were none in next years retailer's magazine"
It is not. Didn’t sell well because of poor marketing.
Believe it or not I found 70429 at a rural Walmart recently for $7 among an extensive amount of other sets that were equally heavily discounted. Very happy :D
Glad someone agrees with me on El Fuego's Stunt Plane. What an amazing model.
I'm sad Hidden Side is on its way out. Still need to pick up the Supernatural Race Car.
I will miss this theme's average price tag! In my opinion one of the best ever. With such good parts for Moc's.
Dang. Every one of these holiday gift guide articles add more to my list. Not for gifts, for me!
So,uh, great job, guys!
I planned to skip the plane, but bought it based on this suggestion. I was not disappointed.