Lego calendar - any way of buying them without wincing?

[UntamedShrew]

We usually just get chocolate ones but one of my DSs has recently been diagnosed as dairy intolerant and while he's been really good about avoiding dairy I know he finds chocolate the hardest. So, I wanted to get him a 'better than chocolate' advent calendar, and when you're a 7 year old boy that means Lego. But oh my, the price of the things! £35 for the star wars one?! Am I missing an obvious trick to find a bargain..?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Everyone who is saying of the Lego Star Wars calendar 'but all you get in the end is a handful of figures' - that is the very POINT of the Lego SW advent calendar! They are often collectable (i.e. you can flog them on ebay) and most lego Star Wars fans love the minifigures. TBH the Christmas novelty one (a droid dressed up as Father Christmas or something) is a bit of a waste, but the others are much coveted, believe me!

Having said that, I was lucky enough to win one in a local promotion last year and this year cannot bring myself to pay £25 for the thing. DS1 is having a DIY Lego advent calendar, which will be 2nd hand minifigs and some 'useful' bricks and pieces he needs for his current obsessive construction. Am hoping to keep the cost under £25, otherwise what.is.the.point?

The mini figures are the best bit of Lego, hence all the Lego blind bags. DCs love them. We have bought them the Lego advent calendars for the first time this year. I felt I should after I spent £39 on my advent calendar.

I wouldn't get fake Lego though. It's never as good. DS has just thrown out his fake Lego set as it was rubbish and it never does click properly with real Lego.