Creating a new AFOL..

[appiah4]

I recently got back into collecting and building Lego after a decades long break with the recent excellent Star Wars and Technic kits, and my wife has been extremely supportive of my new-old hobby, showering me with gifts and helping me build them appreciatively.

So I thought it would only be fair and nice to return the favor and get her something that could help her get into the hobby as well.. She was actually a Lego player as a kid, so I went ahead and bought her something that would remind her of her experience with brick sets from the late 80s and early 90s:

So, Eurobricks, did I do good? The set looks like an amazing value for the price I got it for (roughly around slightly over $30) and for 550 pieces that's crazy good compared to what I'm used to getting for Star Wars sets.. Plus, the set seems to have amazing alternative builds, and a lot of great fundamental pieces, and a couple of base plates.. I'm feeling kind of bad about not asking before buying (and I hope I made no mistakes here..) but it seemed like such a great deal :)

Hopefully, I just created a new AFOL! We'll see on the weekend ;)

[Sven F]

Well we don't know your wife, but something i've noticed a lot with female lego fans is they love tiny details, especially when it comes to interiors. This makes the Parisian restaurant very popular with the ladies, but obviously out of the $30 range. All the creator houses seem like a good start.

[Fuppylodders]

Id say good purchase/choice there. Its pretty neutral all round. Elves might be a good choice too, while some sets prices might seem a little off, they are pretty decent sets that look nice on a shelf. Then... There's the modulars lol... Id say stick with the creator ones like you got for now. Oooh, the animal ones are pretty good too, like the cat and mouse set.

[appiah4]

Yeah, it's pretty neutral which was kind of the point, I want her to get a sense of what she likes most.. I mean, my first thought was the Parisian Restaurant too, but it was out of stock and I didn't know if it would be too long a build for her - she can get frustrated by hobbies that require patience.. This one has basic building techniques, all around useful bricks, some good interior detail, some interesting exterior detail, a minifig.. depending on what she likes most out of it (my hunch is that she'll like the hinged opening house and the interior details, which means I'll probably follow up with the Bike Shop and then a 2016 modular building release..) I'll pick the next purchase :)

[Blue_Bird]

I think that was a good choice, I started out with the Log Cabin Creator 3 in 1 set and it really sparked my interest, you can have fun building it all the different ways and they're pretty detailed.

[GallardoLU]

well as has been said we don't know your wife, BUT what I do know is my Wife :) and although I wouldn't say she is an AFOL she does have her own sets, All of which are Creator houses. so if she is anything like mine she will like it. Just don't be like me and try to help her build it if she doesn't want your help (I have a bad habit of trying to do things for others if I think they are taking too long)

Edited November 19, 2015 by GallardoLU

[KCMatze]

Haha I can relate. when i build with my nephew (9yrs), I mostly am there for sorting parts and the stickers ;-)

Sorry, on topic: really good choice to start here. Flexible and creative set. If she really is into movies Star Wars or Hobbit sets might be good, too.

Edited November 19, 2015 by KCMatze

[peter_m]

I also think that it is a good choice for now - but you should really consider getting her a modular. I concur that it should be Parisian Restaurant when it is back in stock :). Also Pet Shop should be on your list - it is less detailed than Parisian Restaurant - but in my opinion more versatile. Tip: you should buy the oldest first, as it will probably retire first - you will have time to get 2016's modular till 2019 ;)

[dr_spock]

How did she like the Creator set? Was it enjoyable? Was the build too easy? Too long?

[appiah4]

How did she like the Creator set? Was it enjoyable? Was the build too easy? Too long?

We will see on the weekend, I will let you all know how it went. I'm hoping she loves it, fingers crossed..

Edited November 20, 2015 by appiah4

[appiah4]

Mission accomplished. Her first remark was how much more fun it was to personally build something rather than help organize and pick parts.. She then fell in love with it as soon as she got a sense of what she was building and let her imagination rather than her eyes do the seeing.

We then spent a lot of time looking over Lego kits; she particularly liked Changing Seasons to go with her current set, and the Parisian Restaurant. As expected, what she loves most is building the small tiny details about real life places.

We also watched the Lego Movie together and she loved it, now I have to find a Cloud Cuckoo Palace because she really wants a Unikitty minifig.

I've done it Eurobricks. Give me a medal.. or something :D

Edited November 23, 2015 by appiah4

[santaends]

Congrats appiah. The first step is the hardest, it all goes downhill from here. A cheaper set to get unikitty is Double Decker Couch. Comes with Emmet, President Business, as well as Benny the Spaceman. One of the finest sets.

[sunhuntin]

i can recommend changing seasons. i got 3 sets to make all 3 builds. .

[KCMatze]

Yep, for unikitty you should get the double decker couch. Maybe the best movie set!! Problem: kitty is the sitting variant. I love super angry kitty attack, too :)