2022 Winter Village Set

Brickchap · July 2022

Leaks, Hypothesis etc. about the upcoming Winter Village set.

The new elf girl hair piece from series 23 could be a possible clue to the new set. We also had a 'realistic' set in 2021 so it's possible this years set will be a 'fantasy' one. Not sure what else they could do though? (Elf Clubhouse was just weird).

I feel like a reindeer stables on its own would be too small (or too large) and I doubt Lego would include more than 2 reindeer in the one set (we know how scabby they are thesedays).

Personally I'd much rather a realistic set and one that returns to the traditional interwar nostalgic vibe of the original WV sets (Toy Store, Bakery, Post Office, Cottage, to name but a few).

Given that we just got a house I don't think they'd do an inn/hotel straight after. Would still be good though.

Perhaps we could get a 'food-related' WV set but a cafe or restaurant rather than another shop. Tea rooms would work very well with the traditional vibe of WV. Hot chocolate anyone?

We need a WV butchery to buy turkey and/or ham. A green grocer or general store would also be useful.

People mightn't like this but I'd actually be open to a WV bank. A nice old fashioned small country branch with an elderly bank manager. Maybe a policeman on a bicycle too (they could reuse the torso from the modular police station, or create a new more British looking one). Pity the Post Office didn't come with a telegraph office.

Hopefully one day we will see a WV Town Hall (perhaps with some church-like architecture without technically being a church).

PJ76uk · July 2022

I doubt many villages have banks! From my experiences growing up in a small village we either had to travel to the nearest town to use their bank branch or more typically we got our money from the post office. So I think you'd be more likely to get a WV Post Office rather than a WV Bank. Perhaps with a nice quaint old fashioned mail van.

Brickchap · July 2022

@PJ76uk That's true.

I have a resin house winter village collection (non Lego), the ones you put lights or candles in? Anyway I have two banks as one of those. One is a small country bank like I was thinking, the other was probably more for a large town.

I guess it would depend on how large the Lego WV is supposed to be. Seeing as you grew up in a small English village (that's very cool), what do you think the Lego Winter Village needs?

We currently have a toy store, bakery, post office, two cottages, train station, market and a fire station. (counting the 'realistic' buildings, there's also a Santa's workshop).

I think a village hall, town hall (as in administrative building), some sort of church-like building (but not religious) would be in order, the villagers need some sort of community centre in my opinion. That or as I said some sort of food related business. Oh and a butchery, we definitely need that. A sweet shop would go well with the Christmas theme.

PJ76uk · July 2022

A Village Hall yes, a sweet shop/general store would fit in too. Growing up I remember the village shop had goats in the yard which they milked to sell goats milk and cheese in the shop! If it's modelled on a typical English village then yes a church would be the centrepiece along with a village green/playground, school and pubs, can't forget the village pub! 😂

Brickchap · July 2022

@PJ76uk These are all great ideas! I reckon Lego could get away with an inn with a pub-like ground floor (call it a dining area or even just the reception).

As an Australian (who doesn't drink LOL) I find English pubs to be quite reasonable places, architecturally they are often interesting and tbh I feel like Lego could make an English style pub (whether as a modular building or something else) and just not have alcohol. An Australian or American pub would be more problematic though.

A bed and breakfast run by a kindly old lady would be really nice for the Winter Village. They could have some great characterisation for the owner although as of late I've found Lego to be very lazy with their minifigs.

They look like someone's just picked some random pieces from Build A Minifig station and chucked it in the set, rather than really thinking about the sort of character they are trying to create.

DavidBrickley · July 2022

Instead of another build to fit into a far-away winter village, I'd like to see a series of winter/holiday parade floats, a series that could build year after year, each year with maybe 3 floats of various winter/holiday themes...something that could be rolling down any ol' city street.

This could open up the possibility of a very versatile display, and as long s it's all minifigure scale, the size of the floats can vary based on the theme and still all look like it's part of the same parade.

CCC · July 2022

We are probably due another winter market or fair again soon.

Switchfoot55 · July 2022

Pretty sure a master "Winter Village" speculation thread was compiled last year to help keep everything in one spot. Not sure if this should be combined with that?

And, to be fair, it's only July 5th. Traditionally, speculation begins on August 1st. My brain can't even begin to fathom pre-speculations! :)

arathemis · July 2022

I know one thing... It's going to be more expensive, even too expensive (for some)

Switchfoot55 · July 2022

I'm definitely anticipating a $120 USD price tag this year.

sipuss · July 2022

Switchfoot55 said:

I'm definitely anticipating a $120 USD price tag this year.

...that jumps to $140 two months after release...

Brickchap · July 2022

@CCC That's a great idea! I missed out on the original market, which was a pity. In saying that it didn't seem to offer much compared to say, WV Cottage. A fair could work. I'd suggest a village hall (looks like a church but not religious) with a village fete going on.

@DavidBrickley That's an interesting idea, however personally I wouldn't like that at all. I love the nostalgic village style, which is a common Christmas tradition. There was a retirement village in my town where many of the residents would set up entire villages on their front lawns for children to enjoy.

Your idea sounds very American to me. Not that that's a problem but my first thought was "Okay; what else will there be besides the floats?" A whole bunch of barges on wheels with some crazy stuff on it would be rather boring to me, and we all know how much AFOLs HATE vehicles (for whatever reason). It also wouldn't feel as Christmassy to me, unless you've grown up with big New York parades like Miracle on 34th St.

A Christmas village is quaint, there's cosy fireplaces and cheerful carolers, people performing errands and hanging decorations. It's its own little world, away from the stress of real Christmasses thesedays where it's all about money, presents, avoiding inlaws and the shops put up Christmas stuff before we've even finished Halloween. (which completely takes away the Christmas spirit).

It's good that the floats could be used for purposes other than Christmas displays, but for me it would feel too much like the Fairground Collection, and as I've said definitely loose that nice Christmas charm the Winter Village has.

@Switchfoot55 I'm happy to combine this thread with the existing one although in that case Brickset really needs to improve its search engine. I deliberately searched 'winter village' and 'winter village 2022' before starting this thread and there were no results.

I also wasn't aware there was a specific start date for speculation?? Tbh I don't see how it matters when we start. And if you don't want to speculate yet, that's fine, no one's forcing you to comment. I'm getting rather tired of people whinging about speculation threads; if you aren't interested then just don't read or comment.

Switchfoot55 · July 2022

Brickchap said:

@Switchfoot55 I'm happy to combine this thread with the existing one although in that case Brickset really needs to improve its search engine. I deliberately searched 'winter village' and 'winter village 2022' before starting this thread and there were no results.

I also wasn't aware there was a specific start date for speculation?? Tbh I don't see how it matters when we start. And if you don't want to speculate yet, that's fine, no one's forcing you to comment. I'm getting rather tired of people whinging about speculation threads; if you aren't interested then just don't read or comment.

Another example of text not conveying tone.

My comment was not meant as a personal affront to you, nor anyone else who may decide to take issue with it. The purpose of it was intended to be funny. I can speculate with the best of them (as one can see in the fact that I have personally started the Winter Village Speculation conversations for the last four or five years). I have a list of about three dozen buildings I'd personally love to see in a Winter Village offering from LEGO, so please don't insinuate that my comment was whining about speculation. I don't expect anyone to be familiar with any of my personal interests when it comes to LEGO themes, but I think I've established fairly well my immense appreciation for all things Winter Village.

Now, I personally consider all of this done and resolved. The last thing the LEGO Winter Village Speculation thread needs is disagreement. The worlds too full of all that anyway. Speculate away!

And, only because I have it saved as a favorite in my browser:

https://forum.brickset.com/discussion/33235/winter-village-what-s-next-what-s-missing/p7

daewoo · July 2022

Serious changes would have to happen at TLG before they would even consider the thought of maybe speculating about the slightest possibility of a WV church.

Brickchap · July 2022

@Switchfoot55 My apologies. I'm so used to toxic smartarses one gets defensive. :(

How does one transfer this thread to your existing one?

@daewoo I said church-like, not a church. Consider the Hogwarts Great Hall and other Hogwarts HP sets, or the most recent Haunted House set. Both of these had church-like elements and architecture, and have been used by some fans to create churches, but aren't churches themselves. A bell tower and maybe even stained glass on it's own wouldn't break Lego's no-religion policy.

The winter village needs either a town hall (administrative) or community hall (social). Most human societies in history have always had some sort of communal centre or special building, whether it simply be the chief's tent/hut, a church, community hall or town/city hall building.

Community halls are basically just an empty rectangular building used for just about anything. Fundraisers, meetings, dances, film screenings (especially in the early days of film) etc.

A WV town hall on it's own (basically a significantly smaller version of the modular town hall) would probably be a tad boring, which is why I would suggest a community hall with a fete or carnival going on. Include a mayor for the village then some cake stalls, sideshow alley, maybe hot chocolate stalls and knitwear. I'm not sure what a Christmas fete would have since we don't really have them here in Australia, perhaps others have some good suggestions for what one could include?

PJ76uk · July 2022

@Brickchap you would need a moderator to merge threads.

Send a PM to @CapnRex101‌ to request a thread merge

Switchfoot55 · July 2022

I'm a big advocate for a Town Hall of sorts as I feel it would be the most easily repurposed for a WV Church. Regardless of if LEGO ever does one, it's certainly on my to-build list.

Not that the WV sets have followed any real rhythm or cadence of release such as the modular buildings, but last year we had a house, and the year before the Elf Clubhouse. For this reason, I'm leaning toward this year's set being some sort of shop/business/city service building. I think a Market redo would fall into that same camp for me as well.

With the Fire Station, I could see a Police Station being possible. Perhaps a grocer, candy/sweet shop, or café of some sort.

Or, maybe it will be a Snowman Hotel...

TUSigmaChi · July 2022

@Brickchap Thanks for getting this started! I logged in a few days ago and noticed the hysterics had yet to begin, so I was going to bring things to life today :) I'm curious if LEGO would consider a larger ice rink with a tree in the middle - a la Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. Hockey on one end, figure skating on the other, and a few more carol singers around the perimeter.

Brickchap · July 2022

@Switchfoot55 I love all your ideas! Definitely agree it will likely be some sort of shop or business.

I'm glad someone else mentioned a police station. I've brought it up before; perhaps as one building in a larger set similar to the HP Hogsmeade set. A small country police station like in Miss Marple or Father Brown with a constable on a bicycle would be cool.

That could also allow for a nice story, maybe the police are investigating stolen cookies and decorations and discover the culprit is actually a friendly bird building a nest or a squirrel or something.

I'd also be open to a small GPs surgery, although being sick on Christmas isn't a nice topic.

Perhaps if they did do that Lego could give a shout out or even donation to charities that help sick children or something like that.

A candy sweet shop is probably the most likely, it could have fantasy elements and while realistic is still more 'fun' then say a bank or town hall. It could also make good use of the new candy cane piece.

Snowman Hotel, what would that be? A hotel for snowmen? Haha that's a funny idea. A regular hotel or inn would be better for me. It's rather a shame the gingerbread house came out as I really liked it's architecture. I'd love to see a regular non fantasy version of that design as a hotel.

@TUSigmaChi No problem! :) I really like your idea! My only concern is that it might be too similar to the various skating rings we've gotten before, in the bakery, fire station and, while not a WV set, the CNY set from this year would probably look very similar.

LegoEveryone · July 2022

I'm using #80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival as my ice rink centerpiece in this year's winter village.

rockethead26 · July 2022

LegoEveryone said:

I'm using #80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival as my ice rink centerpiece in this year's winter village.

Ditto!

Paperballpark · July 2022

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd be happy with a different cottage design each year.

Modeltrainman · July 2022

Whatever it is, I want a vehicle. We haven't gotten one since...2018, I think.

Brickchap · July 2022

@Modeltrainman Absolutely. I will never understand the hostility AFOLs have towards vehicles. Creator Expert level vehicles are really cool. They aren't juniorised City vehicles, nor are they the same police car design 100 times over.

They are unique, interesting vintage vehicles which we need more of!

What do you think this year's vehicle would be, if we did get one?

I'd like to see just a regular civilian car with no specific purpose. A regular ute would also do. Maybe a van for a shop like how Matchbox Models of Yesteryear did various different branded Ford Model T vans and Ford Model AA trucks and so forth? I have a Bassets licorice truck Ford AA truck which I always put outside my resin winter village sweet shop. A Lego version of that would be very cool. A truck with barrels or coal would be good.

Alternatively a really interesting addition could be a steam driven truck or another horse drawn vehicle of some sort. Had we not had the lovely bus with the train station I would have suggested a horse drawn omnibus.

Since many of you have a lot more experience with a white Christmas then I would, what sort of vehicles would be essential or work well with a winter village? We've already had a snowplough.

Modeltrainman · July 2022

@Brickchap, for a candy store maybe a truck, styled like a Model T or A. They seem to have ditched the time period. For a hotel, horse drawn taxi..

WesterBricks · July 2022

Brickchap said:

I will never understand the hostility AFOLs have towards vehicles.

They like to complain how vehicles take away parts that “should have been used in the main build” for the price, while not appreciating that the side builds add significant charm and depth to the sets.

Marshallmario · July 2022

It seems to me the fantasy sets in the theme are not as popular here on the forum but I do enjoy them very much. Lego does seem committed to them as they have produced 3 : #10245 Santas Workshop, #10267 Gingerbread House, and #10275 Elf Clubhouse. I think @Switchfoot55 has a terrific idea with a Snowman Hotel! Maybe several different Snowman figures; Mama, Papa and the kids, some type of vehicle for them to get around in (snowmobile ha ha).

Modeltrainman · July 2022

Marshallmario said:

It seems to me the fantasy sets in the theme are not as popular here on the forum but I do enjoy them very much. Lego does seem committed to them as they have produced 3 : #10245 Santas Workshop, #10267 Gingerbread House, and #10275 Elf Clubhouse. I think @Switchfoot55 has a terrific idea with a Snowman Hotel! Maybe several different Snowman figures; Mama, Papa and the kids, some type of vehicle for them to get around in (snowmobile ha ha).

And a snowball baby! 'When you were just a little flake...'

autolycus · July 2022

A small schoolhouse might also work well.

Modeltrainman · July 2022

autolycus said:

A small schoolhouse might also work well.

With a little bus, snowball fight, kids with sad expressions, because they're stuck doing math, vs building snowmen, and a late 19th century teacher who could melt grins faster than a steam locomotive in a sauna.

vizzitor · July 2022

I love this idea! Maybe add a small igloo for a snowdog kennel.

The baby snowpeople could come on a printed tile that looks like ice-cubes, kind of like the gingerbread baby tile that looks like a baking tray.

The Gingerbread House comes with a snowblower though so that would be some kind of weapon or torture device to the Snowclan.

Brickchap · July 2022

I really like the idea of a school! We need a proper one (not that weird excuse of one they made for City). It's also a good idea because schoolhouses were typically quite small so it wouldn't need to be a huge build. We've had a 1930s bus, I would then guess either a 1920s/1910s open bus (no windows).

Ironically, although as y'all know I love vintage vehicles, I could almost argue against a bus in a schoolhouse set simply because we already got one not that long ago and kids tended to walk or ride a bicycle to school.

It would help with the story though, like show the bus picking up the little girl in last year's house set (maybe her parents are waving her off at their front gate), same for the children in the 2012 Cottage set.

Snowmen and snowball fights are great, how about the snowman has the tutors hat on? Haha. (like the kids make a snowman to look like their least favourite teacher then chuck snowballs at it).

One thing I would like to see in any old school is a proper school uniform. A flat short cap piece for the boys (the Union soldier 'Western' cap piece would probably do), then a blazer and somewhat undone tie, shorts and a port. (suitcase piece). Girls could have straw hats (it would be great to have a straw hat piece), box pleat skirt or something.

Teachers would be an interesting one. In America you guys seemed to have 'regular' teachers, both male and female similar to thesedays (aside from the cane), while I'm envisaging British boarding schools like Roald Dahl's stories.

Below is a quick mock-up of roughly what I'm thinking. (the teacher would be Latin, Latin is always the subject kids hated in all the old books and from older people I've talked to)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5015319/uploads/editor/nl/koqmbd71sur6.png

GrannyLEGO · July 2022

Brickchap said:
Since many of you have a lot more experience with a white Christmas then I would, what sort of vehicles would be essential or work well with a winter village? We've already had a snowplough.

How about a sleigh? Not a Santa Claus sleigh but a winter sleigh like northern areas have.

Brickchap · July 2022

@GrannyLEGO That's a great idea! A sleigh with horses would be good, like on old music sheet covers for 'Jingle Bells' and so forth. There's another musical piece I think it's just called 'Sleighing Song.'

autolycus · July 2022

If they did a school, I think a toboggan for 2 or 3 minifigs would be a good side build. I don't remember one of those in previous builds. They've had other types of sleds, for sure. It also wouldn't take too many pieces.

rd1899 · July 2022

As far as what's most likely to be this year's set, my money would be on a shop or store of some sorts, such as a cookie shop, a candy store, or an old-fashioned grocery store (where almost everything is behind counters). A winter sports store is also an option, though there was a small one in the #60203 Ski Resort set from 2019/2020.

Another winter fair/festival set would also be welcomed. Or, a festive market with several booths and suspended string lights and decorated archways.

A proper country inn with a restaurant and guest rooms (as in the 1980s American sitcom Newhart) or a a bed-and-breakfast would be good options and probably more likely than a pub building.

A historic Victorian mansion converted into a museum and/or community events center would be a great way to have both an interesting facade and a festively decorated interior.

Regarding a set with church-like architecture, a one-room schoolhouse with ornate framing around its windows, especially one with a belltower, could be an easy conversion to a small rural church. Though, If there is a school, I suspect it will have more of a fantasy theme, say as a school for Gingerbread kids (perhaps with a teacher that has a chocolate chip face as a nod to the classic film "Goodbye, Mr. Chips", which is what brickchap's rendering reminds me of).

Switchfoot55 · July 2022

Well, my Snowman Hotel was typed more as a joke as I know there is some underlying dislike for Winter "Fantasy" Buildings, but glad to know there are at least some that think it would be a fun idea. So long as it wasn't too white, I think it could be really fun. Considering they always seem to get a snowman in each year's set, it might be a fun nod to their standing tradition of late.

I plan on adding a small school house (a great offering that was posted on EB several years back that I love https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/96916-moc-winter-school/)

Too many great ideas just to wait on LEGO to produce! I'll likely keep my tradition going and add at least two other unofficial buildings to the village to keep it growing.

TUSigmaChi · August 2022

Well, here’s a start:

https://www.lego.com/en-gb/product/christmas-tree-40573

autolycus · August 2022

Reminds me a lot of the GWP from a few years ago. I really like that tree as the center-piece of my village's christkindlmarkt and children's train ride.

thedingman5 · August 2022

To rebuild into 2 trees is clever. Will definitely buy 2 and have all 3 variants on display.

Lo1sJess · August 2022

I added more balls and candles to my bricklinked Christmas tree #40338 and had a similar look. Hoping to get a small village together this year.

devilhead · August 2022

I need a Winter Village Pizza Parlor and a Winter Village Octan Station.

Brickchap · August 2022

@devilhead A winter village petrol station would be cool. A nice vintage garage/servo with a shed where a vintage car is being repaired, some vintage petrol pumps and an old tow truck or petrol tanker.

Pizza parlour isn't the first thing I'd think of for a winter village but I'm open to the idea! I think it would be good getting some sort of restaurant or cafe this year.

Switchfoot55 · August 2022

I favorited this Octan Station a long time ago as something I'd enjoy adding to the village. I certainly think it would be a great building to have!

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-75925/greg59200/winter-gaz-station/#details

Fizyx · August 2022

There's definitely some good ideas that have come out in the last couple of weeks here that I hadn't considered before that I feel like would be really good additions. I LOVE the idea of the village schoolhouse. Feels like it would be absolutely perfect for the theme.

I also like the idea of the gas station, although it also feels kind of weird, lol. Like why would a gas station go with the winter village? No idea, I can't explain it, but I think a nice vintage station would be great.

A cafe would also fit well and be good I think, but it wouldn't have the charm of the other two ideas imho :P

Switchfoot55 · August 2022

I agree that some things don't necessarily make sense with a WV. When you think of the quintessential WV, things like gas stations and hot dog stands don't necessarily come to mind. BUT, add some white plates/tiles, some dark blue/green/red, maybe a small pine tree, and suddenly it fits perfect!

I added this café two years ago and absolutely love it!

https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-51898/brick_monster/winter-village-cafe/#details

Brickchap · August 2022

@Switchfoot55 That's a really nice cafe! I also really like the gas station.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5015319/uploads/editor/bl/lxfbk6k4vho0.png

Rather than 1950s Americana, this is roughly along the lines of what I was thinking for a WV garage/petrol station. (it would be minifig scale ofc).

Perhaps the mechanic could be fixing Santa's sleigh as well as an old car. Or Lego could make a nice story, like an aunt or uncle has come to vist their nephews and nieces for Christmas and is bringing presents but their car has broken down and the mechanic has to help them. Or I could imagine a young man in a 1930s roadster speeding along to meet his 'young lady friend' as they used to say in the village, but it breaks down and needs to be repaired.

WesterBricks · August 2022

I’m just going to leave this here…

Brickchap · August 2022

This is why I really don't like fantasy sets for WV.

Cymbeline · August 2022

It had to happen - a Christmas Mech!

Brickchap · August 2022

The 2022 Winter Village set will be a Christmas mech with Santa's rescue helicopter and lighthouse for $350 US or $800 AU. There will also be a special Christmas sale of 50% off all double priced items at official Lego stores while stocks last (*only applies to stores in Evallonia and Ruritania). Christmas GWP is a lump of coal (just an Xtra pack with black 2x4 bricks).

2022 Winter Village Set

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