Comments on: How My Love Affair with Legos Ended as the Christmas Season Began

By: Organic and Green Mom Blog | Teaching Financial Literacy & Values: Allowances at Organic Mania

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:57:07 +0000

[...] it’s the charity thing we’ve had the hardest time working on. Somehow, my complaints about Lego’s exorbitant prices have been misinterpreted. He became convinced that Lego must charge so much because they need the [...]

By: Organic and Green Mom Blog | Yes, Lynn, There is a Santa Claus! at Organic Mania

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:40:39 +0000

[...] Claus! December 29th, 2009 Yes, Virginia – I mean Lynn – there is a Santa Claus. My post about the horrible expense of Legos struck a nerve, with scores of people either commiserating or offering alterate gift [...]

By: Condo Blues

Condo Blues — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:01:52 +0000

I understand your love of Lego. It’s one of the few toys not made in China. The factory is in Germany but the company is Danish.

We have a Lego store and I have to admit, those kits can get pricey. I believed in Santa as a kid. My parents let it be known that Santa couldn’t always give me everything that was on my list or there wouldn’t be anything left for the other kids. Can you try something like that? That way I didn’t really get upset if there was some pie in the sky gift I wanted (like that Death Star) or wasn’t age appropriate for me. Although I think pointing out that some of the big things he wants are too old for him and that Santa knows that because you can’t lie to Santa. He has his magic Naughty and Nice lists after all.
Condo Blues ´s last blog ..The Low Key Christmas Party – a Green Holiday Favorite!

By: Gina

Gina — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:50:47 +0000

I was under the impression that the Death Star was really for full-grown men with jobs and money. They like putting it together and letting it sit on a shelf as an accomplishment and a boo-yah to their boyhood. At least that’s how it is for three grown men I know.

I picked up some random Legos on Ebay for just $5/lb. A big 10-lb box. That should last us for my son’s entire childhood. And then I will resell them.

Don’t forget all the free Legos you can get–the first Tuesday of every month the Lego store (incl the one at Tyson’s) holds a free Lego mini-build. Walmart was hosting them on Saturdays through the year too.
Gina´s last blog ..WFMW: Best Gift Tips

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:33:13 +0000

I understand that Lego was in serious trouble and almost went under at one time. Now they’re focusing more on these kits, which come at a mark-up. I understand why they’re doing that, and perhaps they’re just charging what they have to charge to cover their costs. But it is pretty frustrating.

I hope you find a solution that works for everyone.
Amber´s last blog ..What I Learned in November 2009

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:45:37 +0000

Start picking on one of my favorite toy companies and I’ll coming running to defend it!

You seem to suggest Lego is pricing their kits to take advantage of the kits’ demand. I looked at the pricing of the Star Wars kits, and also a couple other themes, as a function of the number of pieces. The price is pretty much $0.11/piece and $3.32 for the packaging. This is over a range of 50 to 5000 pieces and $10 to $500. Truly an honest case of you get what you pay for.

Plot here: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4152680221_b792de4a90_o.png

Lesson here: never raise the ire of a statistician, and I really need to focus more on my work.

Cheers Lynn, sorry to miss you on Thanksgiving. But do you think we could have fit 4 more people in my Dad’s trailer?

By: Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama

Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:36:24 +0000

Hey Lynn. That Death Star was on sale at Target.com, and there is a free shipping and 20% coupon code floating around, so it ends up being $260 shipped. Probably still more than you want to spend . . . . but just so you know. The prior release of the Death Star, which is now no longer made, went UP in value dramatically . . . .
Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama´s last blog ..Countdown to Christmas: Green Gift Ideas

By: Green Bean

Green Bean — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:54:19 +0000

Hear hear!! Legos are the only actual toys on my kids Xmas lists this year – which I count as a good thing but holy Skywalker, those things are expensive!
Green Bean´s last blog ..Adventures in Experimental Cooking from Scratch

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:00:06 +0000

Thanks, Jennae! That was a great idea re the character! I found some small miniature versions of the big toys…we may get those and a more moderately priced Lego. At times I think perhaps he has the Santa racket figured out…I remember that in-between stage around 7. But then tonight he asked me such a sweet question, I just knew he still believes. Now I’m thinking of telling him that Santa is old, and sometimes forgets things (like his Grandma). Hmmm……

By: Jennae @ Green Your Decor

Jennae @ Green Your Decor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:53:35 +0000

We’ve been able to dodge that bullet by telling our daughter that Santa is a character, much like Mikey Mouse or Hannah Montana, instead of the person who actually delivers the gifts. We do this so that she doesn’t ruin Christmas for some other child who believes in Santa by telling them he doesn’t exist. We also put on the gift tags that the gifts are from Mommy and Daddy, so it’s not difficult to understand when she doesn’t get everything she wants. My 3 stepsons are older, and we tell them the same thing. We always ask them what they want and get them what we can afford.

In your case, I think explaining that the most expensive gift is for older kids will get you out of that one. But I still find it completely amazing that Lego sets are so ridiculously expensive! $400?!?! That’s crazy! For the other gifts, maybe you can get him a comparable, but less expensive, set and explain that Santa got his wires crossed. He may or may not figure out that something’s up though
Jennae @ Green Your Decor´s last blog ..My Simple, but Festive, Thanksgiving Table