LEGO City Advent Calendar 2006

If you were too late to order this hot item, don’t feel bad. We got one early, because we’ve enjoyed it so much in previous years. Sadly, it is not nearly as delightful this year. As of today – the 20th – there is not one thing about it that makes you think of Christmas. My son has given up even bothering to open the little doors every day. All of the figures and mini-models are aboout construction workers and construction equipment. Which would be fine if we hadn’t ordered something we thought was supposed to be related to Christmas.

I’m not expecting little Baby Jesus minifigs or anything, but at least a snowman would be nice!

The description and photos make you think there are seasonal things such as fireplaces, christmas trees, etc. But so far our Lego City Minifigs have not begun preparing for the holidays. They don’t even have a snow-blower amongst all their construction equipment! Working hard in the City is all well and good, but really. It’s about as festive as waiting in line at the airport on Christmas eve. Er, no, not even that much!

This Lego block set contains 24 small sets that fits with Lego’s city playsets. It comes with a good number of Lego people, 9 with my count, and many scene accessories. The sets are stored in their own compartment, number from 1 to 24. Fitting the Advent theme from December 1st to Christmas eve.

Some of the sets are imaginative and over a few days may become a small theme. For example, you will get a construction worker on one day and his tools for the next two day.

While I found the set enjoyable, I had the need to purchase a Lego platform to place the pieces onto in order to make an interactive enviroment. And it may appear that there are numerious pieces, most of them are special in a sense that they are not the standard block which made Lego so famous.

I would buy this for Lego fans, especially those preparing for Christmas or just a hobbiest needing a few good men to put some more life in his Lego city.

My 9 year oldson requested this after seeing it in the lego catalog. I thought it was a bit pricey for the total number of play pieces (even by lego brand standards), but what the hey…. it’s christmas!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this set probably generated more Christmas fun than any other toy he received this year. We gave it to our son the on December 1, and each morning, he would wake up and immediately go to the Advent calendar to find that day’s surprise. Each day had adifferent set of figurines and props, and he would assemble them on a lego plate that he had (a highly recommended add-onpurchase if you don’t already have one).

Others have correctly noted that most of the figures are not christmas oriented – once you open all the days, you end up with a city scene that includes firemen, airport workers, etc etc with props, as well as a few Xmas figures. but isn’tthat the whole point of legos – incorporating fantasy, imagination, and elements of reality?

this toy generated a lot of conversation and interest onthe part of everyone in the family, and really gave our 9 year old a fun and ongoing activity.