One of the things I have discovered in 2025 is that building LEGO keeps me from losing my ever-loving mind. I’m not even kidding, when I’m stressing out, I grab a LEGO set and start building and things just get calm.
Over the course of this year, I’ve built a major assortment of LEGO, from small little sets to decorate my desk to LEGO sets that are still unbelievable to me. Some are themed to major entertainment properties, some are from the Ideas line, some are beautiful botanicals… and of course there are some things that just are off the wall.
These are just some of my favorite sets I’ve built this year, in no real particular order (besides the last one, which is my out and out favorite).
Italy Postcard
Let’s start with one that no one was expecting this year. The Postcard series has been one that I have loved, as they are small but heavily detailed sets based on different major locations in the world. The newest entry to the collection, Italy, continues the trend of being beautiful. I’ve loved building this little series. I can’t wait to see if this series is going to continue again.
Disney Pixar Luxo Jr.
As soon as the classic Pixar Lamp was announced, I made it clear to my family I was getting it day one, full stop. It took a few weeks longer (thanks to having to wait for payday, whoops!) but it was worth it. The set is full of little references to Pixar properties, and the Lamp itself looks almost like it could work. I loved building this one.
Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera
I’ve grown up hearing all about Polaroid cameras. Apparently, my grandfather sold them for awhile, and loved them, passing that love to my mother, and her to me. Having a LEGO version has been amazing, to the point that it has a place of pride in my room. At least for now.
World Dioramas (Tropical Rainforest, Africa Savanna, Coral Reef, and Northern Lights)
A Gift With Purchase series, the World Dioramas that were released this year are some of the most creative sets I have ever seen. Each biome picked was interest, with the Northern Lights surprising me the most in how the sky is portrayed. I ended up getting half of this set on Mercari once I discovered it, because it was something I just had to have in my collection.
Creator 3-in-1 Retro Telephone, Record Player with Flowers, and Typewriter with Flowers
The Creator 3-in-1 sets are always some of my favorites, because you have three options to make. These three stand out for me because they are just ones that are fun and cute. The simplified designed based on real items are just well done and cute.
Sherlock Holmes: Book Nook
If memory serves me, three book nooks were released this year. The Lord of the Rings one felt uninspired, or rather incomplete. I’m not touching the Harry Potter one with a 33 1/2 pole. But the Sherlock Holmes one? With Baker Street and so many classic characters? Absolutely yes. It looks amazing, the build was amazing, and it remains one of my absolute favorites this year.
The Botanicals Collection: Happy Plants, Hibiscus, Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree, Mini Orchid, Lucky Bamboo
The Botanical Collection has a very wonderful place in my heart. Each set is wonderfully created with techniques that I rarely have seen before. One set uses pink frogs for leaves! They always come out as beautiful and a highlight of my collection. They are also the sets most likely to remain on the living room shelves, as my mom loves to look at them too!
Animal Crossing: Able Sisters Clothing Shot, Leif’s Caravan & Garden Shop, Blather’s Museum Collection, and Creative Houses
2025 continued the Animal Crossing series in LEGO for with a bunch of new sets and new characters added. (My dear Carmen still isn’t made her appearance, but I can only hope that will change in the future!) With each set, my island is getting closer to complete, though it’s not currently set up due to space issues. I particularly love Blather’s Museum, as I am so happy to have it!
Nintendo Gameboy and SEGA Genesis Controller
Two sets based off of gaming systems came out this year, and now I want everything. The SEGA Genesis Controller looks amazing on my shelf, and I am perfectly in love with the Gameboy, which was a birthday present to myself. It brought back a bunch of memories of borrowing one of my old Girl Scout friend’s Gameboy, because I went right off into the Game Boy Light era, missing the brick entirely. (Ha, brick, not intended, but so perfect.)
Minifigure Vending Machine
And finally, my favorite set by far in 2025. The Minifigure Vending Machine is probably one of the coolest sets ever created by LEGO, and the thought that went into it shows. It was a great build that didn’t feel overly repetitive, and the Minifigure representation was almost on point (I did get a little sick of the astronaut Minifigs, but that’s allowed). I’m so happy it is finally mine, finally built, and hopefully will be in full use next year for reading challenge things.
And there you have it, a bunch of my favorite sets of 2025. Of course, this doesn’t count the set I picked up before writing this (The LEGO Ideas Mineral Display), as well as any/all LEGO sets I’m getting for Christmas, but that’s allowed. There’s always next year’s list!
Until then, build on!