More images of cancelled LEGO Christmas set reveal problematic print

We’ve received more images of the cancelled LEGO Christmas 2021 gift-with-purchase, including close-ups of a potentially problematic print.

The LEGO Group confirmed earlier this month that it had chosen not to release 40489 Mr. and Mrs. Claus’s Living Room – apparently owing to it not meeting ‘strict quality standards’, as vague as that is – despite the set making it far enough into production that at least two copies are now in the wild.

Brick Fanatics reader who was lucky enough to see the cancelled set in hand has now sent over close-up images of the box, giving us a better look at its contents – including the printed ‘Santa’s naughty list’ tile, which we previously speculated could have contributed to the set’s cancellation for feeling too miserly for a holiday-themed model.

These close-up images seem to support that hypothesis, pointing to the tile as the only obviously problematic piece – but perhaps more so because the names included on the list are more-or-less decipherable, or at least enough to freely interpret. Just imagine a kid being gifted this set, only to recognise their name on Santa’s naughty list: it isn’t going to end well.

lego

That being the reason for the set’s cancellation is still just speculation for the moment, and while our source tells us it’s a view shared by their local LEGO Store managers, it’s unlikely the LEGO Group will ever take an official position beyond its current one.

This isn’t the only LEGO set suffering from last-minute quality checks: the three new LEGO Marvel mechs have been indefinitely postponed due to ‘stability issues’, while the upcoming Creator postcards have also mysteriously disappeared from the official online store.

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Chris Wharfe
I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.

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Chris Wharfe

I like to think of myself as a journalist first, LEGO fan second, but we all know that’s not really the case. Journalism does run through my veins, though, like some kind of weird literary blood – the sort that will no doubt one day lead to a stress-induced heart malfunction. It’s like smoking, only worse. Thankfully, I get to write about LEGO until then.

9 thoughts on “More images of cancelled LEGO Christmas set reveal problematic print

  • 23/12/2021 at 03:45
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    When I saw the headline and title, I honestly thought the problematic part was that the box/instruction art depicted Santa relaxing indoors while Mrs. Claus was out in the cold, working on the tree, lol

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  • 22/12/2021 at 19:18
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    I see Donald at the top and Karen further down the same column. Seems funny to me but I understand not wanting to get involved as a company.

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    • 27/02/2024 at 08:08
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      I got the figures, mr and mrs christmad bought on an auction, only the figures plus the naughty list. Does anyone know what that could be worth?

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  • 21/12/2021 at 20:11
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    Pretty sure I see Donald first on the list ?

    And is there a Karen further down?

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  • 20/12/2021 at 14:06
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    Is it just me or does the first name on the list seem to start with a “D” and end in “LD”?

    I guess maybe they didn’t want to risk alienating an unfortunately huge portion of US consumers–though seriously, why do so many people feel the need to stan a Disney duck?

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    • 21/12/2021 at 17:53
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      I don’t know, I think if I was a kid I would have laughed if I saw my name on the naughty list. I think they’re just taking everything too far.

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    • 21/12/2021 at 21:15
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      First names totally Donald and I doubt it means the duck haha

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  • 20/12/2021 at 10:50
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    Is the top name ‘Donald’?

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    • 21/12/2021 at 22:22
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      Yes, that’ll be the reason. Too political for Lego ?

      Reply

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