LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 22: Imperial Star Destroyer. This model captures the destroyer’s pointy shape better than previous editions, but it’s missing any engines. It feels a little small compared to other ships we’ve gotten this year. Somewhat of a departure from the Return of the Jedi theme. Marginal thumbs up.
Category: LEGO
Day 21: Emperor’s Throne
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 21: Emperor’s Throne. The Emperor’s throne from the Death Star II. It’s a bit lame on its own but at least it’s recognizable (unlike Day 7’s Clone Command Station). Infinitely better with Palpatine seated on it. Marginal thumbs up on its own merits. Solid thumbs up with the Emperor enthroned upon it having his morning cuppa joe.
Day 20: Ugly Sweater Emperor Palpatine
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 20: Ugly Sweater Emperor Palpatine. With a big mug of coffee in one hand Emperor Palpatine looks ready to rock a holiday party with unlimited power! Or perhaps he’s merely ready to blast anyone who disturbs him before noon. Thumbs up.
Day 19: Endor Shield Generator
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 19: Endor Shield Generator. The one the rebels needed to knock out to be able to attack the Death Star. More Return of the Jedi goodness. I like the trees. Thumbs up.
Advent Speeder Bikes
Advent Speeder Bikes: 2023 vs 2018 vs 2014. Speeder Bikes have also appeared numerous times over the years. The 2014 version is done up as Santa’a sleigh complete with toy sack. (Fun fact: the 2018 speeder was photographed in the Amazon rain forest!) There was another bike in the 2021 calendar, but that year I must have been overwhelmed by life and never photographed anything past day 5.
Day 18: Speeder Bike
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 18: Speeder Bike. The Endor builds just keep on coming. Love this. Thumbs up.
Advent AT-ST’s
Advent AT-ST’s from 2023 vs 2022. There was another released in 2017, but that was the day I fell violently ill while at the beach in Brazil, and so I never photographed it.
Day 17: AT-ST
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 17: AT-ST. AKA, the chicken walker. Another neat Endor micro-build. Thumbs up. (Days 17–19 are late because we went to the mountains for 4 days and my son wanted to save the builds for when we got home even though I had brought the necessary bags with us.)
Day 16: Endor Bunker
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 16: Endor Bunker. The Imperial bunker that the rebels invaded, had a battle around, and finally mined with explosives and blew up. Kind of on the small side but I recognized it instantly. Thumbs up?
Ewok Villages
Advent Calendar Ewok Villages: 2023 vs 2015. The 2013 version gains taller trees, a ramp, and what seems to be curved walkways connecting the three trees, but the 2015 version had the celebratory bonfire and a few lighter green highlights.