Since 1998, LEGO has been releasing an advent calendar of its own - a unique collection of set figures especially made for the holiday season. The idea for the product stemmed from how people used advent calendars in the nineteenth century to help children countdown the days leading up to Christmas by providing them with small gifts each day until the big one arrives on the 25th.

For the LEGO version, each set contains 24 mini-figures and minibuilds that you can use to make your own models or to redecorate your existing ones. Ideally, the set is given to children on December 1 and then each day they open one window (or door, depending on the design) for their daily mini-figure.

It’s a great way to start your kids on their LEGO collection (each set always brings out rare characters dressed in seasonal costumes) while also teaching them how to be patient while adding excitement to the yuletide season.

This year, LEGO has announced three sets for your brick-building pleasure - don’t wait too long to visit your local stores!

LEGO City Advent Calendar

As the name suggests, this theme includes mini-figures and builds set to recreate the city life, with models depicting city buildings, public transportation and civilians on their way to work. The LEGO City Advent Calendar comes with five mini-figures, including the city’s own Santa Claus and a cute husky dog! The rest of the daily minibuilds include a drone, a robot, a racecar, a monster truck, and a Christmas tree, among others.

Buy LEGO City Advent Calendar - 60201

LEGO Friends Advent Calendar

Designed primarily for girls, the LEGO Friends theme set focuses on five girl friends and their adventures in Heartlake City. The Friends Advent Calendar pays a good complement to that set by adding five special surprises to represent each of the girls, while also providing adorable buildables like the Gingerbread Man, a candy cane, and a Christmas tree. This calendar also includes a Santa mini-doll along with four animal figures.

Buy LEGO Friends Calendar - 41353

LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

Arguably one of the most popular themes in LEGO’s collaborations, LEGO Star Wars’ Advent Calendar is a perfect treat for fans of all ages. The calendar contains five mini-figures and three figures, with buildable models for The Arrowhead, General Grievous' Starfighter, a Republic Fighter Tank, the Naboo Starfighter, a Twin-Pod Cloud Car, the Delta-7 Jedi Starfighter, an Imperial Troop Transport, the Zeta Class Cargo Shuttle and an Imperial Speeder Bike, among others. Character figures include Rose, Rowan, General Merrick, a Battle Droid, a Death Trooper, and Rathtar, and the set also contains weapons - blaster rifles, a blaster pistol and of course the ever popular Lightsaber. In addition to the mini-figures and minibuilds, the calendar also contains a special fold-out playmat for acting out your favorite Star Wars scenes.

Buy LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar - 75213