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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Calling Lego experts... I dont yet have a main present for DS12

52 replies

sweetmelody · 20/12/2019 08:50

Ok - I do have choices, but there is nothing on his list that I am keen to get him as a main present. However, he has always loved Lego sets and was asking about the red and white Lego plane that he was gifted some time ago but many of the key pieces got lost in a house move. Having said that, he is not one to make a kit up, and then break it up and make it up again.....

His other interests are trains, robotics, cars, football - the usual stuff.

I would quite like to get him a really decent Lego set but no nothing about the funkier, fancier stuff.

Can someone recommend a particular set? Im really pushed for time here!

OP posts:
Peridot1 · 20/12/2019 10:24

I love Lego and think it would be fab as an extra present if funds allow but I’d be inclined to buy him some stuff from his list. At 12 although I’m sure he doesn’t believe in FC it’s still an age where they are excited and is probably the last year he might want more childish things if that is your concern about his list?

Flyingarcher · 20/12/2019 10:29

My son is lego mad. So am I! I really recommend the lego london bus - really good fun and took son a full day to build ( he got it for his 19th birthdaySmile). The ships are good and, if you want to get something more pricy, the pet shop, cafe or cinema are good too. I think the airport would be a bit simple now for a 12 year old. I remember the lego ship too us both about three days to do (not all the time,). We love doing it together. Im hankering after the vw camper van.

Original poster
sweetmelody · 20/12/2019 10:35

Ok, Ive checked the list (twice) since maybe its me....

Iphone x (nothing wrong with the 6S he got in the Spring)
Nintendo Switch (we are adamant he isnt getting another device on top of the XBOX he already has)
Remote control plane (he has a drone which he plays with infrequently)
A monitor (Dad works in IT, so he already has as many as he can fit on his desk)
Apple watch (he is 12)
Phantom 4 drone (see RC plane)
Train Simulator 2020 (we are getting him this. its just a download to put on his PC so not really a main present)

I think the issue is that the child wants for very little IMHO

OP posts:
Raera · 20/12/2019 10:38

Are you anywhere near Manchester?
There's a Lego exhibition there for a couple of months

MoodLighting · 20/12/2019 10:40

You can buy spare bricks on the Bricklink site. It's awesome!

hauntedvagina · 20/12/2019 11:41

Having read his list, I'd be inclined to get him the Switch. I appreciate you didn't want him having another console but the game play on this is totally different to an Xbox.

From reading his list I can't see anything on there that even hints at an interest in Lego building...

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2019 11:49

I bought my dd(13) the red London bus, I’m sure she will do it easily as she built the vw camper set last year ten times faster than I could.

I was tempted by the Lego technics Land Rover defender which is around £150 .

Lovemusic33 · 20/12/2019 11:53

I always buy dd a Lego set, it gets her away from electronics and she loves building stuff, just wish she wasn’t as good at it as she built the camper in 2 hours (took me 2 days) 🤣.

I wouldn’t get the switch if you already have a Xbox in the house, I’m the same as you and refuse to have more than one console (dd’s have the switch).

Laska2Meryls · 20/12/2019 12:00

we just got DGs this Lego technics remote controlled car for his birthday. its fab.. Note: buy the batteries as well!

Original poster
sweetmelody · 20/12/2019 12:05

He asked for the Lego separate from the written list so technically on the list

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetmelody · 20/12/2019 12:09

@Lovemusic33 yes, think we are on the same wavelength

DS has always got Lego at Christmas and I think last year was the only year he hasnt

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 20/12/2019 12:15

I’d possibly consider a switch lite , you can play most switch games on them and it’s handheld so totally different to the Xbox .

safariboot · 20/12/2019 15:45

The Switch Lite is a good option if he likes to game by himself or online. The full Switch for in-person multiplayer, or if the Nintendo Labo might interest him. There's so many great games that are only on Switch.

As far as the Lego goes. There's three robotics systems now. Mindstorms is quite expensive, based on Technic, and you program it with a computer. Boost is cheaper, based on System ('regular' Lego), and you program it with a tablet, and aimed at a younger age. There are also a range of "Powered Up" sets that are app-controlled by Bluetooth, and the app offers some rudimentary programming tools now to do custom stuff.

If you're looking for something smaller, there's lots of good options. In general Creator (3 in 1 and Expert) and Ideas have the most interesting sets across a range of prices. There's licensed sets for things like Star Wars and Harry Potter if they're his thing. Technic's a different building style to traditional Lego, I don't like it so much, but big Technic sets do get discounted a lot.

grisen · 20/12/2019 16:12

I had the first mindstorms and to this date I still haven’t figured it out! However it was great fun to play around with.
For my 12 year old brother I’ve got him the LEGOLAND park we got in LEGOLAND this summer, R2D2, FORMA which is a UK exclusive and the powered up accessories for the train. We don’t see him much and half will be Christmas and half will be birthday presents.

grisen · 20/12/2019 16:14

Also I’d get him a switch, completely different to the Xbox And hours of fun (we may have given one to my brother last year to play with us online, which reminds me to renew the family membership)

Bubblysqueak · 20/12/2019 16:23

If he wants Lego he can control,the train set is great, it comes with a remote control or tablet app which you can control the train with. You can also buy separate motors to power other models.

BarbedBloom · 20/12/2019 16:36

I agree, I would get him the switch. It is totally different to the X Box and is also portable.

Hoghgyni · 20/12/2019 21:08

Lego James Bond Aston Martin DB5.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 20/12/2019 21:18

The Nintendo Switch is a totally different beast.

Get him that. And some Lego.

SmellMySmellbow · 20/12/2019 22:46

Now I want a switch dammit...

Sweetmelody72 · 21/12/2019 07:27

I got him the bus! Thanks to everyone for their advice

LucheroTena · 21/12/2019 08:05

I’d get him the Switch or an Apple Watch if you don’t want more gaming. Do 12 year olds still get excited by Lego?

handmademitlove · 21/12/2019 08:18

My ds(13) loves his mindstorm set. He has had it for a few years but uses it constantly. He combines it with Lego technics. Easy to code and lots of options.

Lovemusic33 · 21/12/2019 08:36

Glad you went for the bus, it's a great set, I can't wait for my dd2 to unwrap hers, I know she will enjoy building it. She's getting a few smaller sets of technics from her dad and will probably get another big set for her birthday. It's much better than tech (iPad or console).

Didiusfalco · 21/12/2019 08:40

If he likes trains, why don’t you get him a hornby starter kit?

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