LEGO go for greener alternatives to Christmas decorations

The popular bauble-style minibuilds are no more, and LEGO patterned wrapping paper seems to be a thing of the past too.

For the LEGO enthusiast, when it comes to decorating the Christmas tree, the decoration style mini-builds were always a popular option. Coming in a small plastic bauble that spilt into two, it hung on a colourful ribbon and contained a handful of parts that would make a Christmas themed micro build. From toy soldiers to snowmen to a tiny gingerbread house, these sets were a perennial favourite.

• 

• 

But while you may have found one or two available last year, for Christmas 2022 they are most definitely in the ‘Retired Product’ category. Instead they seem to have been replaced by 40572 Penguin and Snowflake, two builds which come with a string for hanging on the tree. While the snowflake is most definitely recognisable as such, offering the other build to someone and asking them to identify it is likely to result in a puzzled expression.

Nice though they are, they don’t have the seasonal charm of the original ‘bauble’ style sets. While no explanation has been given, we’re going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the bauble case meant that there was just a little too much plastic for a £6.99 set. In the interests of saving the planet, therefore, this new set with its cardboard box is likely considered a greener option.

Another product that may have become the victim of the sustainability drive is the LEGO gift wrap sets which contained sheets of wrapping paper covered with the iconic brick, and brick-stickers to seal your gifts up. Searching for it in LEGO stores this year is a fruitless task, though given that presents need to be wrapped (Santa says so), it’s a shame that the LEGO Group are driving customers elsewhere for less official alternatives.

Whatever the reason, as long as there’s at least one LEGO set under the tree, then Christmas will still be a jolly affair.

If you’re thinking of buying a LEGO et as a Christmas present – or for yourself – then please consider using our Brick Fanatics affiliate links. Every purchase helps to keep the site running. Thanks.