I started out by working through book 1 to build the wreath. The first impression I had is “boy, is this a repetitive build.” You start you by making the sixteen parts of the ring – 15 of them identical, with one variant with an integrated bit of string to serve as a hanging loop. This parts-hound in me was happy to see so many parts in quantity. However, as this set gave me 16 left-side 2×4 wedge plates in dark green with no right sides to balance them out did make future-me a bit cranky. Model D is also a hanging wreath that omits the larger leaf pieces, but it is more colorful than Model C with the red berries and a differently designed big red bow added. A celebration of love – Older kids with a passion for meaningful interior design can build a LEGO® Heart Ornament (40638) to hang in a window or on a wall or door, or to give to someone they love

Model C is a simpler looking hanging wreath without using any of the red bows, red berries, or larger leaf elements. It’s main fun feature is the reindeer’s face centered at the top, made from one of the white candle tops, a couple of brown 1×2 plates with rounded edges, two trans-orange round plates for the eyes (used as candle fire in the other models), and two green leaf pieces for antlers. One of the new holiday sets that will be available from the beginning of October is the #40426 LEGO Iconic Christmas Wreath 2-in-1 set. LEGO was kind enough to send us an early copy so that we can take a closer look. What do you think? How do you like the Christmas Wreath? Is this a set you’re planning to get? And how do you like the different alternate builds? Do you have a favorite? Would you use this as a decoration for the holidays? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!

LEGO® Classic – Large Creative Brick Box

Model A is basically the same as the table decoration, but with the candles and small bows in a different configuration. I like how the candles are bunched together in this design. A seasonal gift for ages 9 and up, this 510-piece set is great for solo building or sharing the fun with family and friends. It can be hung on a wall, used as a table decoration or displayed any way the builder chooses. There aren’t any unique or particularly special parts in this set, but don’t let that get you down. What this set does have is tons of plant elements in high quantities. There are 40 of the 1×1 plant plate, 36 small plants leaves, 8 of the 7-finger fronds, and 2 of the small palm leaves. Toss in 4 of the bright green plant stems, 14 gold flower 1×1 plates, 8 each of the red and white “ berries“, and 6 brown carrot tops and you have enough vegetation to make a great start to any custom jungle scene.

You can start with either of the instruction books as they both provide steps to build the base ring, which is shared between the two models. In addition to the two designs, the second instruction book displays four more alternate models, which also share the same base. These models do not have separate step-by-step building instructions, but the pictures are large enough and clear enough that you should be able to copy them easily.

The second build for this set is a tabletop centerpiece design. The initial ring build is almost identical to the wreath, although you leave out the mounting assembly and replace it with the same 1×4 plate that appears in the other 15 ring segments. There is a lot lower level of detail in the foliage this time around, leaving you with a larger pile of surplus parts. Model B is a hanging wreath with a medium-sized red bow and the four candles placed flush with the wreath. This is a nice alternative to the first model if you would like to include the candles.