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 111 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.
Huw
31129 Majestic Tiger ($49.99, £44.99, 49.99€ )
Some of the best LEGO sets produced recently have been Creator 3-in-1 sets. They foster creativity, encouraging rebuilding rather than simply sitting on a shelf, and being devoid of licensees and often minifigs too they offer great value for money as well, so often appear in my holiday gift guide picks.
31129 Majestic Tiger is the first official model to feature an anus, so for that reason alone it is likely to be well received by whoever you gift it to!
MeganL
41701 Street Food Market (£44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€)
There have been many food themed Friends sets over the years, but none have been as bright, colourful, and fun as 41701 Street Food Market. There are some stickers, but not a horrible amount, and many printed food pieces. I love the three options for food - a sushi bar, a juice bar, and my favourite, the taco truck! The truck is a great build on its own. Add the diverse minidolls, and the fact that this is one of the first sets that provides alternate expressions for the minidolls, and the set is a winner all the way around.
Outside the Friends universe, I'd suggest 31131 Downtown Noodle Shop, or for those in a festive mood, 40573 Christmas Tree.
CapnRex101
76832 XL-15 Spaceship (£44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€)
While the response to the Lightyear film was decidedly mixed, the associated LEGO sets are exceptional. 76832 XL-15 Spaceship stands out in particular and looks magnificent on display, featuring some unusual building techniques to create a distinctive aerodynamic form.
Furthermore, the perhaps underwhelming performance of the movie and its merchandise has resulted in frequent discounts, which only increases the set's already considerable appeal.
76909 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance & Mercedes-AMG One Project also warrants consideration, with both vehicles taking full advantage of the modern eight-wide format.
TheBrickPal
40521 Mini Disney The Haunted Mansion (£34.99 / $39.99 / 39.99€ )
I agree with CapnRex101 that 76832 XL-15 Spaceship is an excellent set, and is absolutely worthy of consideration. Most Pixar fans, and fans of LEGO Space, would find much to like about it. However, there is another mid-range Disney set from this year that may have gone a little bit under the radar when it released...
40521 Mini Disney The Haunted Mansion came out in August, and makes a fantastic gift for any Disney Parks obsessive. It even doubles as a display piece for Halloween! I love the little details - especially the easily accessible interior. The unique minifigure is the icing on the cake. It doesn't beat 40478 Mini Disney Castle in value, but still feels fair in terms of its price per piece ratio.
Looking for a spooky alternative? Super Mario offers Luigi's Mansion fun with 71397 Lab and Poltergust and 71399 Entryway. Star Wars has some great entries in this price bracket, with 75324 Dark Trooper Attack and 75333 Obi-Wan Kenobi's Jedi Starfighter. Marvel's 76205 Gargantos Showdown and 76213 King Namor's Throne Room, as well as DC's 76181 Batmobile: The Penguin Chase, are similarly well done and desirable.
Finally, LEGO history connoisseurs may be drawn to 11021 90 Years of Play (BIONICLE reference for the win). I think kids would also enjoy it very much!
Alice
10311 Orchid (£44.99 / $49.99 / 49.99€)
Like all of the botanical sets, 10311 Orchid is the perfect gift to introduce non-AFOLs to LEGO. It’s a beautiful and realistic model of the popular houseplant which makes an attractive and subtle piece of home décor.
Real orchids are notoriously difficult to keep alive but the LEGO ones last forever! My mum is somewhat an orchid-whisperer and has many orchid plants thriving and alive for many years, but she happily welcomed this one to her orchid collection and has it on display in her living room!
So with that said it would make an excellent gift for your partner or parent whether they are an AFOL or not.
FlagsNZ
60324 Mobile Crane ($39.99 / £39.99 / 44.99€)
Occasionally, LEGO produce a City vehicle that really captures the essence of the vehicle at minifigure scale. 60324 Mobile Crane is one of the best looking City cranes to ever be released by LEGO.
Working in an industry that often requires mobile cranes, I liked the look of this vehicle when it first appeared on toyshop shelves.
Built in Bright Blue and eight studs wide, this crane will challenge the modern City road plates but then again mobile cranes are usually over-width on the road. Most mobile cranes are also left-hand drive even in countries that drive on the left-hand side of the road.
This set comes with two minifigures and one 8x16 road plate section to be lifted on or off the building site. There are plenty of play opportunities.
This set will appeal to any LEGO fan that identifies with the City theme and who likes working with cranes!
benbacardi
60345 Farmers Market Van (£24.99 / $44.99 / 29.99€)
LEGO may lean more and more into their licensing deals nowadays, but some of the most fun and creative sets can be found in their original lines, such as 60345 Farmers Market Van from the City Farm subtheme. The set is bound to go down well with children of all ages, with a vehicle to drive around, fruit and veg to sell, and a fantastic garden to water and keep the bunnies away from!
I'm a big fan of the whole Farm theme, which has been a breath of fresh air from the myriad of police and fire related sets that the City theme is traditionally associated with. Take a look, and you may find something else to add to the gift list too!
What would you have chosen from the 111 sets in scope?
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37 comments on this article
42136 would be my choice. Not a standout Technic model by any means, but it's cool to have a John Deere set nonetheless.
I would have also picked the Majestic Tiger 31129.
But to choose one not already mentioned, I would choose John Deere Tractor 42136. Farm implements are few and far between in the Lego lineup and this one is well done and at a good price point for a named brand.
Nice list! My personal vote goes out to HP 76406 Hungarian Horntail Dragon; a pretty immersive build and an impressive display piece with a surprising play feature. It's bigger and better than the similar Hedwig and Fawkes sets, and more reasonably priced than the SW helmets and Marvel gauntlets and such.
(Quick question: how exactly do I link a set number here so that it turns blue and active?)
@DBMartin Use the “number sign” or the “pound sign" I can't type it to show it.
It's shift + 3 for me
Interestingly (maybe), 2 of these have not sold at all in my shops - 76832 did nothing until reduced it drastically and so was never reordered, and if I have sold more than 2x60324 since release I would be very surprised
@watcher21 said:
" @DBMartin Use the “number sign” or the “pound sign" I can't type it to show it.
It's shift + 3 for me"
It works, dankjewel! :)
31129 and 60345 are great sets
Mario is no option since you'll need multiple
75322 would be my 1st pick
2 nd pick, for me most Advent Calendar are "repeats" but for someone new to lego 60352 (WTF a white foal) and 41706 are great
76832 is a great set that was massively overpriced. Once they were reduced to 50% off here (something that hasn't happened with any set for a while) they flew off the shelves (pun intended).
I'd go so far as to call 31129 set of the year. Reasonably sized, reasonably priced, great techniques. Provides lots of opportunities for creative building. It's everything a Lego set should strive to be.
The crane and Lightyear sets are both great, but the Tiger is pick of the bunch here and in the running for overall set of the year.
I can’t choose between the XL-15 and the creator Tiger! Both excellent sets for their value!
I can’t believe with the number of views this article has no one has commented on the fact that Huw said the Majestic Tiger is the first official model to feature an anus.
@paulrothwell said:
"Interestingly (maybe), 2 of these have not sold at all in my shops - 76832 did nothing until reduced it drastically and so was never reordered, and if I have sold more than 2x60324 since release I would be very surprised"
That's interesting. They are two of my son's favorite sets of 2022, and they don't even have dinosaurs! We've considered buying multiple copies of both. Good luck with your holiday sales season!
@collectormom said:
"I can’t believe with the number of views this article has no one has commented on the fact that Huw said the Majestic Tiger is the first official model to feature an anus. "
Oh, we're all far too adult and mature for that... Not!!! :)
Agreed that the Majestic Tiger is No. 1, and possibly one of the best sets ... ever? It looks amazing. It has a fair price point, and even then, it can often be found on sale. In addition to the official alternate builds, it can be MOCed in any number of ways. LEGO hit it out of the park with this one.
More interested by 76406 Hungarian Horntail in this price range
@chaosderek said:
"I can’t choose between the XL-15 and the creator Tiger! Both excellent sets for their value!"
I have both and they are just great !
My top 10 favs in this range...
- 10778 Mickey, Minnie and Goofy's Fairground Fun. Action packed for the wee-ones.
- 10311 Orchid. Beautifully sculpted. Looks nice on a desk.
- 10784 Spider-Man Webquarters Hangout. Fantastic playset full of action features. Great parts and accessories.
- 11021 90 Years of Play. Nice to have mini nostalgic builds and 1100 pieces for only $50 bucks.
- 31129 Majestic Tiger. That Tiger is great and interesting to build.
- 60313 Space Ride Amusement Truck. Another fun action packed set. Working ride that folds up onto the trailer.
- 60348 Lunar Roving Vehicle. Can't go wrong with any of the Lego NASA sets.
- 76396 Hogwarts Moment: Divination Class and 76397 Hogwarts Moment: Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. Any of these Harry Potter book builds are incredible. Design wise and excellent accessories. Great stuff!
- 76406 Hungarian Horntail Dragon. One of Lego's best if not the best dragon they've ever done. And the way it moves, fluid, smooth. For the price it's great. Don't have to be a Harry Potter fan to enjoy.
I think the Big Message Board 41952 would prove to be a very popular gift with children, even if just to see how many swear words they can make in Lego!
(I have visions of a door name plate being changed the way that Fawlty Towers was!)
Also the small Stuntz sets are very good value and well into the lower price range with current discounts (£10 in the UK). I can't believe the staggering RRP of $34.99 in the US!
The Orchid would be the ONE set that I would absolutely consider for pretty much anyone I know - it looks spectacular and is relatively easy to assemble despite its odd shape.
I'd also recommend the Mercedes Petronas 2-pack, unless they're a Red Bull fan of course ;)
"Two random Speed Champions models" would also be a good choice IMO. Movie fans would love both the Dodge Charger and Aston Martin, while people who just like cool cars would really like the Ferrari 512 M and the Lamborghini Countach.
I like the Creator tiger but I love some of the creative part usage in the Street Food Market
All good sets, but STILL no Star Wars sets? Personally, I'd take Obi Wan's Starship or Dark Trooper Attack over 40521 any day..... :)
Ultimately I think 2022 was one of the very best years for this price bracket - some real winners here!
31129 majestic tiger is an absolutely great set. It’s the only Creator 3 in 1 set that I wanted as soon as I saw the first images. I haven’t built the 2nd and 3rd models yet but the main model is great.
@DBMartin said:
" @watcher21 said:
" @DBMartin Use the “number sign” or the “pound sign" I can't type it to show it.
It's shift + 3 for me"
It works, dankjewel! :)"
The moment when someone realises that they should have read what was written right above the comment box :-)
What about some of the new Avatar sets? 75571 comes with a great variety of unique parts!
For a Star Wars fan, 75322 Hoth AT-ST.
Big fan of the Orchid. Got one for my wife and I to build together for our anniversary. As you say, great set for non-AFOL. Also much harder to kill (though if anyone could find a way, I probably could...).
@collectormom said:
"I can’t believe with the number of views this article has no one has commented on the fact that Huw said the Majestic Tiger is the first official model to feature an anus. "
It’s well known he’s a butt-man ;)
Me too.
I own 76832, 60324, and 60345.
All were purchased at a discount and all do what they set out to do very well. At this price point the sets are detailed enough to be fun but not so large they become unwieldy and expensive.
If you think you'll like these sets then I can confidently state you will like these sets. And that's as high a recommendation as I can give.
@paulrothwell said:
"Interestingly (maybe), 2 of these have not sold at all in my shops - 76832 did nothing until reduced it drastically and so was never reordered, and if I have sold more than 2x60324 since release I would be very surprised"
I am not surprised. The Lightyear movie didn't do well in the theater and the crane isn't a big licensed theme.
The other issue is at MSRP both are a touch too much money. I got both at 20% off and feel that price is a good buy for the money.
My personal vote would go to the Orchid but agree that Majestic Tiger is a great set too.
@sjr60 said:
"Also the small Stuntz sets are very good value and well into the lower price range with current discounts (£10 in the UK). I can't believe the staggering RRP of $34.99 in the US!"
I think that same set is $45 here in Canada. All the Stuntz sets are alarming overpriced. And I really like 60345 Farmers Market Van, but that things is $60 CAD!
@CarolinaOnMyMind said:
" @sjr60 said:
"Also the small Stuntz sets are very good value and well into the lower price range with current discounts (£10 in the UK). I can't believe the staggering RRP of $34.99 in the US!"
I think that same set is $45 here in Canada. All the Stuntz sets are alarming overpriced. And I really like 60345 Farmers Market Van, but that things is $60 CAD!
"
Had forgotten about the Stuntz stuff. Great play value, would have loved the bikes as a kid and shame they didn't have a reasonable offering in the under £25 pick this year where 'city' was sorely underrepresented (perhaps the market van could have starred if it wasn't for its higher USD/EUR price).
Huw and the Brickset Team in Not Without My Anus
As MeganL mentioned 31131 Downtown Noodle Shop is one of the most useful. As well as plenty of variety within the set it can be combined with other creator sets or incorporated into Ninjago buildings or Monkey kids sets like City of Lanterns 80036 .
The Friends street food market set is great even for a non-Friends builder like me. I bought one and the only parts in it I have no use for are basically the minidolls and the cat. The stickered parts are great and it doesn't have a lot of parts in colors that make it hard for me to use.
Another anus horribilis……