🗓️ Advent Calendars, D&D Minifigs & LEGO Prices Explained

Hello, Master Builders!

We're fresh from weathering another tropical storm here in the Sunshine State, we're back to our usual programming: sweating and LEGO.

In this edition:

🗓️ 2024 Advent Calendar Lineup Revealed
🐉 Pre-Order Dungeons and Dragons Minifigures
🎃 Christmas and Halloween Sets Announced
💸 Understanding the Rising Costs of LEGO

Today's a 4 minute read...lets go.

2024 Advent Calendar Lineup Ready for Preorder

LEGO has revealed its highly anticipated 2024 Advent Calendar collection, featuring a record six exciting themes to countdown to Christmas–featuring a first-ever Disney Princess edition.

Here’s the lineup:

1. City Advent Calendar 2024 (60436) – $32.99
2. Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 (75395) – $44.99
3. Friends Advent Calendar 2024 (42637) – $32.99
4. Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar 2024 (76293) – $44.99
5. Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2024 (76438) – $44.99
6. Disney Princess Advent Calendar 2024 (43253) – $44.99

All sets available for pre-order, ships September 1st.

Dungeons and Dragons Minifigures Available for Pre-Order

The ↳Collectible Minifigure Series of Dungeons and Dragons will be available for shipping starting September 1, 2024, with each individual minifigure priced at $4.99 in a mystery box format, containing one of twelve collectible figures from the D&D universe.

The complete set of Box of 12 is also available from ↳MinifiguresPlus for $70.99.

LEGO Reveals 2024 Christmas and Halloween Sets

LEGO has unveiled its 2024 seasonal sets, featuring exciting new additions for Halloween and Christmas.

Here’s a look at the upcoming sets:

1. Christmas Table Decoration (40743) – $39.99
   1. A decorative display model with red berries, gold stars, and green foliage, perfect for festive table settings.
2. Christmas Ornament Selection (40744) – $12.99
   1. A set of Christmas ornaments to hang on your tree, including various festive designs. Your tree called, it wants more LEGO.
3. Halloween Barn (40721) – $14.99
   1. A small Halloween-themed diorama featuring a spooky barn with Halloween decorations and a skeleton minifigure.

These seasonal sets will be available September 1st, no pre-orders available.

Speaking of seasons changing faster than your bank balance...

Why Is LEGO So Expensive

As of August 2024, the top three most expensive LEGO sets (available for purchase through LEGO) are the Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon ($849.99), the Star Wars UCS AT-AT ($849.99), and the Titanic ($679.99).

These sets epitomize the intricate designs and expansive piece counts that drive up prices. But why exactly is LEGO so expensive these days?

Here are the key reasons behind those rising costs:

• Inflation: The cost of raw materials, manufacturing, and shipping has increased significantly. Adjusting for inflation, a $35 set from the past would now be about $51.43.
• Increased Complexity and Detail: Modern sets are more intricate, requiring more pieces and higher production costs. For example, the LEGO Bonsai Tree set includes 101 frog pieces, adding to its expense.
• Licensing and Intellectual Property Costs: Sets featuring popular franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Harry Potter come with hefty licensing fees, which are reflected in their higher prices.
• Market Position and Brand Value: LEGO's strong market presence allows it to charge premium prices. The brand's value increased by 30.4% between 2021 and 2022.
• Targeting Adult Consumers: With complex sets aimed at adults, like the 18+ and LEGO Icons series, LEGO caters to those with more disposable income. Because building isn't just child's play anymore—it's a serious (and seriously fun) investment.

These factors combined contribute to the higher prices we see today, making each set a little more special and, unfortunately, a bit more expensive.

Thanks it for this edition, may your weekend be as grand as the UCS Millennium Falcon and as festive as a LEGO Christmas set.

Until next time,

✌️ Studbee