I specifically remember playing with this set (the 2008 one) when I was seven or eight, which is special because I've never played much with the sets besides building them.

Comparing the other one from 2005 (that was a RSOTD on 10/11/18), this has 8 fewer pieces, one more figure, yet double the price. i blame $147 oil for this lol.

Never had a calendar set. I fail to see the appeal.

One of the worst City Advent calendars.
>Random summer girl
>TWO PART TABLE
>No Christmas tree
>No Printed pizzas

Seeing this, I really do miss Clikits... :o)

Well, we had some snow over night, so it seems appropriate...

@Lego.lord: It's mostly just a sort of a daily ritual for kids and families that helps build anticipation for Christmas and spread out the excitement by having small gifts for each day leading up to it.

As an adult without kids of my own I'll admit advent calendars have lost a little bit of their appeal for me, but I can definitely see why other AFOLs would appreciate it as a fun activity to share with their kids and loved ones.

@Zordboy: I suspect that especially in Australia this might be a perspective you're far from alone in, considering that Advent and Christmas don't overlap with winter where you are!

That said, I suspect that a lot of kids enjoy the calendars more if the contents stand out from the sort of stuff they see in City sets at all other times of the year. That said, winter and Christmas themed models aren't the only way this can be achieved.

Many of my favorite City advent calendars have been ones like 2824-1 from 2010 and 60201-1 from last year that focus heavily on scenery, toys, and characters for a family home settings, since so much of the rest of the City theme focuses on grown-up careers and commerce in the outside world.

After all, while household subjects like fancy turkey dinners or crackling fireplaces might be included due to their association with Christmas, they're not stuff that would be unusual to include in displays at other times of the year. And even if the microscale "toys" are intended to represent Christmas gifts, just like most real toys they aren't things people tend to pack up when the Christmas season is over like wreaths, lighted trees, and other decorations! They are just as applicable in a toy store or home setting any time of year.

One trend I really love from recent City calendars is how some of the microscale "toys" are recognizable as loose interpretations of other full-size LEGO sets (as has long been the norm in the Star Wars calendars). For example:

2018: microscale versions of 60180-1, 60185-1, and 60197-1
2017: microscale versions of 60144-1, 60145-1, and 60166-1
2016: microscale version of 60123-1
2015: microscale versions of 60074-1 and 60080-1

In general I like the advent calendars (I also love Yule, so...), but I get a bit tired of the focus on police or fire brigade they sometimes have. Then I rather prefer they include different professions like some of the earlier advent calendars did. On the other hand, I am thrilled when they include Yule themed builds - I only wish TLG would make a decent top star for the Yule trees...

I didn't know the City Advent calendars were already here 11 years ago! And when was the first City one released?

^2005 (was a RSOTD on 10/11/18)

I got my first Calendar in 2018 (City) and really enjoyed it.