But we love them anyway, right? Maybe this set is a blatant rehash. Scratch that, it definitely is. There's been a ton of controversy when this set came out and I find it rather hypocritical, selfish and unnecessary, although expressing my opinion there's irrelevant to the set itself. I don't have the original set to compare it to unfortunately, but it's still the same toy shop. The same cute and delicate toy shop that both old fans can connect with and relive, and that new fans can restart those same traditions with them. We pass on our love and celebration through the ever-different ways, from the food we eat to the decorations we use, and this is simply another branch to take.

Minifigures

The figures in this set are for the most part generic people you could find in a City or Creator set, using mostly familiar parts, and are there to set the scene and bring it to life. They're the ones to have fun snowball fights or to decorate the tree, the ones to open the presents or work the toy shop, or have that holiday kiss. You can do just about anything with them, silly or charming. The only things "new" are the updated faces for the carolers, and they look extremely rosy and expressive.

As a Parts Pack

I was pleasantly surprised to see the shocking variety of parts, from the classic bricks and plates that we've known for quite a while, to the tiniest of details to brighten up the place. There's more than enough pieces that only fit on one stud, simply for Christmas lights, or to give the chimney texture, or create the plethora of toys. I don't think any new molds are used but some recolors were introduced that weren't needed but give an extra treat, like the ladder piece in brown, technic "D's" in dark green to represent the streamers, and the new printed sign to welcome you into the store.

As a Building Experience

Also surprising is how different the internal structure is from the original despite the similar look. The Parts themselves are divided into 8 bags labeled 1 and 2. The first stage introduces some extremely clever microbuilds. It's amazing that they can be made so small and still retain function, like how the helicopter blade actually spins and the jack-in-the-box gives the illusion of popping up. I also quite enjoy how the tree was constructed, feeling both symmetrical and consistent with the leaves, but also geniusly rotating them with a simple offset to give it a natural look. What's great is how simple it is, you only need to take a 4x4, place studs slightly away from the corners, and throw another plate on top of it roughly 45 degrees, and it can be used for mocs in no-time.

With the toy shop itself the construction's all over the place. You start out thinking it's simple brick-on-brick but then you see headlight bricks to give subtle detail under the windows, plates tossed on their side to texture the chimney, lots and lots of arches, insetting by jumpers, intricate sloping, and a full light brick to mount on the celing, for the roof to complete it. The roof itself is the most significant change from the last, using more eye-friendly techniques. The front bars are only mounted by a single technic pin while the snow-covered top falls flush with it with a simple hinge. Unfortunately it has a tendency to wiggle, but fixing the original's issue, it's sturdy and won't fall off. It allows it to remove the unsightly gaps and create something a bit more complete and seamless.

As a Playset

If you've had any winter village set you know what this is, it's a cozy cottage surrounded by a crowded vignette of fun, outdoor scenes. Go all out with playing in the snow, go all out with feeling the joy of opening your new toys, and go all out with pulling the all-nighters with the kids, and carolling until you freeze. Whatever you do this holiday will be quite fun to reflect on this set.

As a Display Model

The end result lies right in the Goldilocks zone--not so small as to simplify it and feel ripped off, but not so large as to take up an overwhelming amount of space and lose it's warmth. I've mentioned all the small details that help add some believability and it feels like an untouchable, intricate vintage model but at the same time being colorful and welcoming. I think it'd be welcome on both a shelf, a table or a playroom and still look great and feel Christmasy.

Final Verdict

Rambling aside, if you already own the 2009 version there's no reason to get this. There's literally hundreds of other excellent sets to pick from this year, from nostalgia trips, reboots of classic franchises like Star Wars and Jurassic World, and quite a few new and unprecedented, fun welcomes, plus loads of beautiful advanced sets, and on top of that this is slightly pricier. Although if anything it's nice to get something that isn't revolutionary, something you can recognize immediately and feel that same warm joy of when you owned this to that of your kids for years to come. And really, that's the beauty of the holidays.

Just throw it in with the rest of the collection and it's feels even nicer. It just keeps growing.