Holiday gift guide: $25-$50
Posted by Huw,
In today's instalment of our holiday gift guide we turn our attention to sets retailing between $25 and $50.
Among the 117 sets in the price range are several 'Adults welcome' sets, some of which would make great gifts for AFOLs and non-AFOLs alike.
Find out what we've selected after the break then let us know your own selections in the comments.
CapnRex101
76239 Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown (£34.99, $39.99, 39.99€)
There are numerous exceptional sets deserving of recommendation within this price bracket, including 71746 Jungle Dragon and 75311 Imperial Armoured Marauder which provide outstanding play value.
However, 76239 Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown stands out because this model looks absolutely incredible on display! This rendition of the Tumbler appears remarkably accurate and includes some unusual construction methods, given its modest scale.
The corresponding 76188 Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile rivals this example, but I think 76239 Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown remains superior.
MeganL
40516 Everyone is Awesome (£30.99, $34.99, 34.99€)
This price range was the easiest choice - it has to be 40516 Everyone is Awesome.
LEGO made a bold, definitive statement about their commitment to diversity with this lovely set, designed by none other than LEGO's VP of Design.
AFOLS will love this set for the minifigs, non-AFOLs will love it for the colours and how attractive it looks on display, not to mention its message of diversity and inclusion. I think it's the perfect set to introduce a non-AFOL to the world of LEGO.
For those who look to me for Friends recommendations, I'd suggest 41447 Heartlake City Park, which is a lovely scene with nice building techniques and many opportunities for play.
Huw
10281 Bonsai Tree (£44.99, $49.99, 49.99€)
The botanical collection launched this year and, judging by the length of time they were out of stock online and in brand stores at the beginning of the year, they were very well-received
Both 10281 Bonsai Tree and 10280 Flower Bouquet are within this price range and either would make an excellent gift for your spouse or a green-fingered relative, even if they are non-AFOLs.
However, I'm going to recommend 10281 Bonsai Tree simply because it's easier to display and offers a wealth of customisation opportunities as you may recall from the competition we held earlier in the year.
Alice
10280 Flower Bouquet (£44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€)
10280 Flower Bouquet is the perfect gift to introduce non-AFOLs to LEGO. It makes an attractive and subtle piece of home décor and doesn’t look like a typical LEGO set.
Like Huw said, it would make an excellent gift for your partner whether they are an AFOL or not but would also be a great addition to anyone’s room, as these flowers last forever!
DrDaveWatford
75301 Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter (£44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€)
Given my horticultural choice for the <$25 price bracket you probably won't be surprised to discover that I'm also a big fan of 10280 Flower Bouquet and 10281 Bonsai Tree, both of which are clever builds and look great. I also think that there are some worthy Creator and Ninjago sets in this price bracket, and furthermore I'd like to give an honourable mention to 76940 T. rex Dinosaur Fossil Exhibition which is a neat, predominantly brick-built twist on the Jurassic World formula.
My top pick is none of these, however. I've long been frustrated by the number of Star Wars remakes which seem to add little to what we've had before other than higher cost. This year, however, LEGO have surprised me by releasing an X-wing, 75301 Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter, which is actually smaller and considerably cheaper than the System scale X-wings that preceded it, while still looking excellent and retaining the key functionality of previous designs. Nicely done!
FlagsNZ
31122 Fish Tank (£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99)
31122 Fish Tank is another example where the blocky LEGO elements, using some interesting SNOT building techniques, are used to create some truly organic fish and foliage in a fish tank. There is a broad colour palette range used to achieve the overall look of a bright, colourful underwater scene.
As the theme implies, Creator 3-in-1 sets are designed to offer alternate builds. The two alternative builds are equally impressive: Treasure Chest or Artist’s Easel. Unlicensed themes such as Creator 3-in-1 also represent good value for money.
I can see this LEGO set appealing to a broad range of children on Christmas day.
What would you have chosen from the 117 sets?
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23 comments on this article
For display it would be either 10280 Bonsai Tree (serious) or 31122 Fish Tank (colourful).
For playing 31116 Safari Tree House or 31121 Crocodile because, again, its brick build animals.
I cannot recommend technic sets from the range with same emphasis. If you would like to know, check my reviews on 42121 (https://brickset.com/reviews/60137) and 42122 (https://brickset.com/reviews/60008),
10280 Flower Bouquet is what i got for my mother for her birthday, while she did not want to build it herself she was quite pleased with the finished product.
75305 Scout Trooper Helmet is one of my favorite helmets this year and it's overall very good value.
My picks go to:
31118 for its creativity, I love the look and also the ingenious function to display the A-model in two completely different ways using just two hinged walls.
41937 if you know someone who likes/would like the DOTS experience, because it offers a fantastic selection of customizable items for a very reasonable price.
71742, it’s one of the best Ninjago dragons yet! Sorry Jungle Dragon, I just prefer this
71747 is simply an amazing set for nearly everyone. Tons of opportunities for play but also really well designed an pretty on a shelf. Fantastic minifigs also.
75319 for all the Star Wars fans, just like my pick from yesterday this is a great set to just have on a desk or small shelf of an iconic location with fantastic minifigures.
And finally, 80020 is just a really great design with good minifigs and sidebuilds.
What, I can only choose one? Oh well, just blame LEGO because they’re making way too many good sets ;P
If I had to pick one I personally like the most, it would be 71747 with 80020 not far behind (yes, that’s still two, now go)
Considering that I either have myself or have bought as gifts all of the staff selections, I agree 100% with your picks! Two additions I would list as favorites this year - 76200 Bro Thor and 76394 Fawkes.
Hands down my top pick for sets in this price range is 76188 Classic TV Series Batmobile. It’s not just a Batmobile, it’s *the* Batmobile!
It captures the ‘66 version of the Dark Knight’s car beautifully, has options for with/without stud shooters, is a great display piece and is fun to play with.
It’s almost the perfect LEGO set. Its only shortcoming - apart from its bizarrely high UK price - is its lack of Robin.
10280 Bouquet no question for me
Such a lovely looking set, fits into any room tbh. So defo the set from this price range for me.
10281 Bonsai Tree for an adult
71753 Fire Dragon Attack for a kid
Don’t forget the Mini Castle Disney (40478)! It’s fantastic and at a good price!
@legoapprentice said:
"10281 Bonsai Tree for an adult
71753 Fire Dragon Attack for a kid"
It's not just for kids. I've bought 71753 Fire Dragon Attack for the great dragon to attack my castle (although my daughter does get to play with it).
I have 4 of these & 1 on the wish list. It's just 31122 that I'm not convinced by. Maybe with the recommendation here I'll take another look.
Wow, all great choices.
Looking over the other options, I don’t think I’d add anything else that wasn’t at least included in your honorable mentions. Great job, team.
I have a majority of these, there's a lot of really good stuff in this price bracket. A big enough budget to elaborate a bit, but not so expensive that the model loses focus, or has to offer something really special to justify an even higher cost.
@DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I have 4 of these & 1 on the wish list. It's just 31122 that I'm not convinced by. Maybe with the recommendation here I'll take another look. "
Fish tank is really really good. Probably represents the upper bound of possibilities in a 30 dollar lego set
@Zander said:
"Hands down my top pick for sets in this price range is 76188 Classic TV Series Batmobile. It’s not just a Batmobile, it’s *the* Batmobile! "
I couldn't agree more... *My* Batmobile and *my* Batman. It may seem a bit cheesy looking back, but to a 6 year old it was deadly serious! (and I've still got my Corgi version). Time for a UCS version.
The Botanical Collection is also excellent. Had to get a couple of Bonsai Trees for variation... may get more.
I'd managed to avoid Harry Potter, but Hogwarts Icons sucked me in. So I've now got all the 'Moment' and '20th Anniversary' sets. I suppose I should read the books or watch the films!
Another set that caught my eye in this section was the Car Transporter 60305. Especially good when it was half price in Tesco, so could grab 2 to make into a somewhat beefier version.
31122 didn't make it to Singapore and 76239 went out of stock almost instantly. I just included both as part of my VIP weekend order to be delivered in the UK. It's just a shame that I won't see them until sometime next year - hopefully! I do think the standout sets in this range are 10280 and 10281 with 76188 following closely.
@lusci said:
"Don’t forget the Mini Castle Disney (40478)! It’s fantastic and at a good price!"
Oh I forgot about this one and don’t see it in the list of sets for this price range. @Huw do you know why this one isn’t captured in the query?
@legoapprentice said:
" @lusci said:
"Don’t forget the Mini Castle Disney (40478)! It’s fantastic and at a good price!"
Oh I forgot about this one and don’t see it in the list of sets for this price range. @Huw do you know why this one isn’t captured in the query?
"
It has never appeared in the USA product feed that we gather official prices and links from, perhaps because it's always out of stock online.
If I had to pick only one, then 10280 is the obvious choice.
This one’s tough, but I’ll go with The Minifig-scale Tumbler and Safari Treehouse.
@Zander said: "Hands down my top pick for sets in this price range is 76188 Classic TV Series Batmobile. It’s not just a Batmobile, it’s *the* Batmobile!"
Lego.com here in Australia has had 76188 on "Temporarily out of stock" since January.
Finding the wreck of the Titanic was easier, and that was *only* at the bottom of the ocean.
I'd love to be able to buy 76188 for me or for anyone, to be honest, but the only ones in Australia are absurdly expensive copies on eBay. Honestly, it's a little annoying.
Some fantastic sets released this year!!
I’d be very happy to buy & build (or receive as a gift) any of the sets nominated by the Brickset team, plus a few other suggestions here!
Probably the sweet spot in the LEGO catalog, price-wise: just enough pieces & minifigs to make an interesting and enjoyable build & nice display piece, without breaking the bank!
Oh, and don't forget 40499 Santa's Sleigh as a perfect Christmas gift! If it's available, that is.
My picks for $25 to $50 beans...
- 11013 Creative Transparent Bricks.
Fun for the kids, good for parts.
- 31117 Space Shuttle Adventure.
Next best thing if you don't go for the bigger NASA shuttle kit.
- 40516 Everyone is Awesome.
Great for a variety of colors for minifig heads, torsos and wigs you don't get in other kits. Great for tiles and a striking pop art display.
- 43192 Cinderella's Royal Carriage.
Beautiful carriage design, figures and horses. Great details.
- 66678 LEGO Minifigures - Marvel Studios Series.
Great stocking stuffers, great figs.
- 71736 Boulder Blaster.
Excellent play vehicle, with sturdy handle for swooshing! Got that steampunk, diesel punk vibe. Great for the kids to play and/or customize for the adult kids ;)
- 75300: Imperial TIE Fighter/75301: Luke Skywalker's X-wing Fighter
Great price for these slightly scaled down Star Wars vehicles. Excellent figs and nicely designed vehicles for the size and price!
- 76174: Spider-Man's Monster Truck vs. Mysterio
- 76180: Batman vs. The Joker: Batmobile Chase
- 76239: Batmobile Tumbler: Scarecrow Showdown
Fun superhero sets/vehicle without breaking the bank!