LEGO 40573 Christmas Tree Review (2022): A Cozy, Classic Holiday Display That Actually Feels Worth Building

If you’ve ever tried to add a little holiday magic to your LEGO shelf and ended up disappointed by tiny builds that look cute for five minutes, you’re not alone. You want something that feels festive, looks good from across the room, and still delivers that satisfying “I built this” feeling. The LEGO 40573 Christmas Tree is one of those seasonal sets that keep popping up in holiday hauls because it promises exactly that: a real display centerpiece without needing a whole winter village to justify it.

This review walks you through what you actually get, how it feels to build, what it looks like when it’s done, and whether it’s worth your money and shelf space. Because when you’re spending on seasonal LEGO, you deserve a set that earns its spot.

The Basics: What LEGO 40573 Includes and What It’s Designed to Do

Before you buy, you probably want clarity on what you’re really getting. LEGO 40573 is a Seasonal set released in 2022, designed for ages 12+, and it includes 784 pieces. It’s designed as a display-first build, not a play set, so no minifigures are included. That’s not a downside, though. It’s intentional. This is meant to sit proudly on a shelf, mantel, or desk as a holiday centerpiece.

Set overview at a glance

Set name	Christmas Tree
Set number	40573
Theme	Seasonal
Release year	2022
Piece count	784
Minifigures	None
Recommended age	12+
Build options	1 large tree or two smaller trees
Display style	Decorative holiday centerpiece

The standout feature is the 2-in-1 design, which lets you build one tall tree or two smaller trees. That flexibility sounds small, but it’s surprisingly useful. Some people want a single bold centerpiece. Others want two trees to frame a winter-village scene or to decorate two areas of a room. LEGO clearly designed this for different types of builders and spaces.

What the build is aiming for

This set focuses on three core goals:

• Classic Christmas aesthetics: ornaments, candles, a star topper, and a decorative mat-style base

• Stability: a sturdy base that keeps it from tipping easily

• A “real” LEGO building experience: not a repetitive stack, but a shaped, textured build

The goal is simple: give you a tree that feels charming and complete the moment it’s done, without needing extra sets to make it look right.

Key takeaway: LEGO 40573 is a display-focused, 784-piece seasonal build that prioritizes flexibility, stability, and classic holiday charm.

Building Experience: What It Feels Like to Assemble (And Who Will Enjoy It Most)

If you’re buying this set, chances are you want it to be relaxing—something you can build with a warm drink nearby, music on, and zero stress. The good news is that LEGO 40573 mostly delivers that feeling, but it’s helpful to know what kind of build it is so you don’t go in expecting something else.

A build that’s steady, not tricky

The build starts with a sturdy base, and that matters more than you’d think. Holiday sets often look pretty but feel wobbly. This one intentionally creates a strong foundation first, which makes the rest of the build feel more satisfying and secure. You’re not constantly adjusting pieces or worrying it’ll topple over the moment you move it.

The tree’s structure uses smart geometry to create a fuller, more organic silhouette rather than a flat cone. That’s where the build shines. It feels like LEGO actually cared about how the final shape reads from different angles. Reviewers have praised the design for creating a natural look without being overly complex.

The rhythm of the build

This is not a “fast and done” build. It has a gentle rhythm, especially as you add the layered greenery and then decorate with ornaments and candle elements. That makes it satisfying for:

• Adults who want a cozy seasonal build

• Teen builders who enjoy display sets

• Families who want a holiday build that isn’t frustrating

What’s especially nice is that it doesn’t feel like one long repetitive technique. It’s structured in sections, and the decorating stage is where you get the “reward” for your patience.

Who might not love it?

If you’re someone who wants:

• Heavy play features

• Minifigure interaction

• A highly advanced technique-heavy build

This might feel a bit too calm. It’s more “holiday mindfulness” than “engineering flex.”

Key takeaway: The building experience is cozy and stable, with satisfying shaping and decoration, making it ideal for relaxed seasonal building rather than play-heavy action.

Finished Display: How It Looks on a Shelf and Why the Shape Works So Well

You can forgive a lot in a seasonal set if the finished result looks great. Because at the end of the day, this is a display piece. You’re buying it to brighten your space. And that’s where LEGO 40573 tends to win people over.

The “organic” tree shape is the biggest surprise.

LEGO trees can sometimes look like green lumps or stiff cones. But this one has been praised for its clever shaping, which gives it a more rounded, layered look. The angles and layering make it feel like an actual Christmas tree silhouette rather than a simple geometry exercise.

It’s also designed to look good from multiple angles, which matters if you’re placing it on a mantel, a shelf, or as a table centerpiece. You don’t want the “back side” to look unfinished.

Decorations that read clearly from a distance

The ornaments and candles are not overly detailed, but they pop. That’s intentional. LEGO knows this will be displayed in rooms where people glance at it from across the space. The star topper gives it a classic finish, and the base features festive tiling for a clean presentation.

Here’s what gives the display its “finished” feeling:

• A decorative mat-style base that frames the tree

• Candle elements that add vertical interest

• Bright ornaments that break up the green

• A strong star topper that completes the silhouette

Display options: one tall tree vs. two small trees

This is where you can really personalize it.

One tall tree works best if you want:

• A centerpiece on a shelf or side table

• Something that stands out on its own

• A single focal point in your holiday display

Two smaller trees work best if you want:

• Symmetry on a mantel

• Extra decoration around a winter village

• A “paired” look on a bookshelf or office desk

Many builders find the single-tree version more satisfying, but the flexibility remains a huge bonus for people decorating different spaces.

Key takeaway: The finished model looks polished and festive, with strong shaping and decorations that read clearly, plus flexible display options for different spaces.

Value and Pricing: Is LEGO 40573 Worth Buying in 2026 (Especially After Retirement)?

Seasonal LEGO can be tricky. You don’t want to overpay for a set that comes out only once a year, but you also don’t want to miss it and end up paying inflated prices later. LEGO 40573 is especially relevant right now because it has an end date of December 31, 2025, which may make it harder to find in retail going forward.

What it cost and what it costs now

When it was readily available, pricing hovered around the mid-range holiday set tier. But in retirement, secondary market pricing becomes the main issue. Current estimates for a new sealed set are around the mid-$40s, with typical pricing ranging from the high-$30s to high-$40s depending on condition and seller.

That’s not wild price inflation, which is good news. But it does mean you should shop carefully.

How to judge value for you

This set is worth it if you care about:

• A seasonal display piece that doesn’t look cheap

• A build that feels complete and giftable

• Strong shelf presence without needing extra sets

The price-to-piece value is decent for a seasonal set, but the real value is the display payoff. It’s one of those builds you can bring out every year without it feeling stale.

Smart buying tips

If you’re buying post-retirement, here’s how to avoid regret:

• Look for sealed listings if gifting

• Confirm it includes the original box, since holiday sets are often collected

• Compare prices across LEGO resale marketplaces before you commit

• Buy earlier in the year if you can, because holiday demand raises prices

Giftability factor

This set is also a strong gift for:

• Adult LEGO fans who love seasonal decor

• Teens who like display builds

• Anyone who enjoys cozy holiday projects

And since it doesn’t rely on character licensing, it ages well. A Christmas tree is timeless.

Key takeaway: Even after retirement, LEGO 40573 remains within a fair value range and is worth buying if you want a reusable holiday centerpiece with strong display payoff.

Pros, Cons, and Who This Set Is Perfect For (So You Feel Confident Buying It)

If you’re on the fence, it’s probably because you don’t want another seasonal set that looks cute online but feels underwhelming in person. That’s a valid fear. Holiday sets can be hit-or-miss. So here’s the honest breakdown of where LEGO 40573 shines and where it might not match your expectations.

The biggest pros

This set earns its popularity for a few clear reasons:

• It looks better than expected once completed, especially the shape and fullness

• The base is stable, which is rare for tall seasonal builds

• The decorations are simple but effective, so they read well from a distance

• It’s reusable every year, making it feel like a tradition rather than a one-time build

• The 2-in-1 option adds flexibility, especially for small spaces

The main cons to consider

This set isn’t perfect. The most common drawbacks:

• The alternate build (two smaller trees) is often considered less exciting than the main build

• If you want minifigures or play features, it won’t scratch that itch

• It’s heavily seasonal, so it may spend most of the year in storage

Who this set is perfect for

This set is an easy yes if you’re:

• Building a holiday display that feels “complete.”

• Collecting seasonal LEGO that looks polished

• Decorating a workspace and want something cheerful

• Looking for a cozy build you can repeat annually

It’s also a strong choice for people who don’t have time or space for a full winter village but still want one standout piece that makes the season feel real.

Who should skip it

You might want to skip if you:

• Only buy LEGO for minifigure play

• Prefer complex techniques and great difficulty

• Don’t enjoy purely decorative builds

Key takeaway: LEGO 40573 is best for builders who want a stable, reusable holiday centerpiece, but it’s less ideal for play-focused fans or those expecting the alternate build to feel equally strong.

Conclusion

LEGO 40573 Christmas Tree is one of those rare seasonal sets that not only looks festive but also feels satisfying to build, and genuinely earns its place in your holiday setup. It’s stable, thoughtfully shaped, and decorated in a way that looks charming without being fussy. And because it’s designed as a reusable display piece, it can become part of your yearly rhythm, which is exactly what you want from holiday LEGO.

If you’ve been looking for a Christmas build that feels cozy, looks polished, and gives you that rewarding “finished centerpiece” moment, this set is a strong choice. It’s not a play set, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, it’s a warm little tradition you can rebuild or redisplay every winter, and that’s honestly what makes it special.

FAQs

Does LEGO 40573 come with minifigures?

No. LEGO 40573 is a display-focused seasonal set with no minifigures included.

Can you build two trees with this set?

Yes. It’s a 2-in-1 build so that you can make one large tree or two smaller trees.

Is LEGO 40573 a good set for adults?

Yes. It’s designed for ages 12+ and is especially popular with adults who enjoy seasonal display builds.

Is LEGO 40573 retired?

It has been listed with an exit date of December 31, 2025, which suggests it may now be retired or harder to find at retail.

Is the finished tree sturdy?

Yes. The build begins with a stable base specifically designed to prevent tipping.

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