NEWS: LEGO® Icons 10339 Santa's Post Office
by Model Designer - LEGO Group
Sep. 30. 2024
Order at LEGO SHOP
Reviewed by Video Ex Model Designer - Tiago Catarino
Reviewed by David Vi Boi Huynh, BOI DESIGN STUDIO
LEGO® Icons 10339 Santa's Post Office is one of the most fun Christmas sets this 2024 and Santa is back to us every year with so many best wishes. It offers a detailed and immersive experience, storytelling in Christmas events for LEGO fans of the Winter Village collection.
Design and Build:
The Santa’s Post Office set truly excels in terms of formgiving. It thoughtfully captures the essence of a winter wonderland through its playful and immersive design. The heavily snow-covered rooves and the charming brick-built horn details contribute to a sense of coziness and warmth, essential to creating a nostalgic Christmas experience.
The build cleverly balances brick stacking with SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques, which introduce interesting architectural details. The incorporation of round elements to create the woven wicker effect on the hot-air balloon basket is a standout example of how LEGO can transform ordinary bricks into detailed and textured forms. The integration of the light brick inside the balloon gives it an extra layer of magic, enhancing the overall narrative and charm of the model.
Formgiving Value: The design encapsulates the festive and playful atmosphere of Santa’s North Pole workshop. The clever use of elements, like unicorn horns for icicles, speaks to the set's creative thought process in achieving its form, which makes it feel more alive and dynamic.
Display Value:
The #10339 Santa’s Post Office set shines as a decorative piece, especially as part of a winter village or holiday display. The model has a high level of detail that attracts attention, from the snow-laden roofs to the intricate interior that can be revealed by removing the roofs. The standalone hot-air balloon adds a vertical dimension to the display, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Its bright, cozy interior is fully finished, and the ability to remove the roofs provides easy access, making it an interactive piece for display. These features make it an inviting and charming addition to any holiday-themed setup.
Formgiving Value: As a display piece, it not only tells a story but also exudes the nostalgia and warmth of the holiday season, making it a delightful part of any festive setting.
Build Experience:
The set offers a satisfying building experience akin to a modular building, albeit on a smaller scale. The combination of simple vignettes and more complex techniques makes it approachable for a wide range of builders. The building techniques are varied, with clever usage of elements like sausages for the brick-built horn, providing a mix of straightforward and intricate sections that keep the build engaging.
The inclusion of a light brick adds an interactive and rewarding element, making the final build feel more dynamic and complete. It’s a great set for those who appreciate a thoughtful building journey that reveals creative construction techniques along the way.
Formgiving Value: The build experience is enjoyable and educative, introducing builders to innovative ways to create textures and architectural details.
Value and Pricing:
With 1,440 pieces at a price of $99.99 (99.99€ / £89.99 / 129.99 CAD / 169.99 AUD), this set offers excellent value. The piece-per-price ratio is favorable, especially for a set that includes a light brick, five minifigures, and many printed elements. The inclusion of 5 minifigures, especially the exclusive new elf uniforms and Santa Claus, adds to the overall value. The set feels substantial in terms of both play and display features, making it a worthwhile investment for holiday enthusiasts.
Formgiving Value: The set's price is reasonable given the level of detail, interactive features, and overall form it offers, making it a great addition for those who appreciate well-designed LEGO models.
Overall Impression:
The Santa’s Post Office is a standout addition to the Winter Village series, capturing the spirit of Christmas through thoughtful design, nostalgic elements, and clever formgiving. It seamlessly blends the joy of LEGO building with a sense of festive magic, creating a display piece that can be enjoyed year after year. The interactive features, such as the letter-sorting mechanism and the hot-air balloon’s role in delivering mail, add layers of storytelling that enrich the overall experience.
Formgiving Value: The set embodies the principles of formgiving, where each element is purposefully designed to evoke warmth, nostalgia, and the magic of Christmas. It captures the balance between function and delight, making it a model that appeals to both adult builders and families alike.
Final Rating Based on Formgiving:
Design and Build: 9/10
Display Value: 9.5/10
Build Experience: 8.5/10
Value and Pricing: 9/10
Overall Impression: 9/10
Conclusion:
The #10339 Santa’s Post Office LEGO® Icons set is a beautifully designed and thoughtfully crafted model that celebrates the essence of Christmas through formgiving. It offers a satisfying building experience, impressive display value, and excellent pricing, making it a highly recommended addition for both LEGO enthusiasts and those looking to enhance their holiday decor.
