One family’s Christmas tree made of love and Lego bricks
It takes 15,136 bricks and a dedicated master builder to construct a life-size Lego Christmas tree from scratch. Belen Choi’s tree is now three years old, and she plans to keep building it every year until it becomes a family tradition.
One might think she’s been a lifelong Lego fan because of how passionate she talks about her hobby. She isn’t. Choi got into Lego when she bought her then two-year-old son his first set in 2018.
“I was amazed at how a toy can be educational and fun! I started buying Ferris wheel sets, and I discovered a unique excitement after I finished building them,” she said. She enjoys building big sets like the “Titanic” or the “Star Wars” Millennium Falcon. “Titanic” remains her favorite build, besides the Christmas tree.
When the pandemic started, many collectors began selling their sets. This was when Choi’s collection started growing, as she kept finding sets she couldn’t resist. She tracks them in a notebook, though she said she needs to transfer her list to a spreadsheet soon.
Building with Lego pieces is very therapeutic, she noted. Many of her fellow collectors discovered how building melts anxiety away. It was a great help during the lockdowns. Her expanding collection made her think about decorating her home with Christmas sets, with a tree as the holiday centerpiece. The only problem was that Lego only produces small Christmas tree sets.
This was indeed a setback, but not enough to stop her. She researched how to build her own. With the help of a local Lego store, she was able to source everything she needed. The bricks arrived in five clear boxes and they were like puzzle pieces waiting to be solved.
Helpful team
Building the tree takes two days each time. Thankfully, she has a team—her family—to help her out. Everyone has a specific task—her eldest son helps assemble the tree, her second son puts up the decorations, and the youngest builds the sets around it. Her husband, Bong Lualhati, provides the much needed love and support.
Choi said the main challenge is keeping the tree upright despite its weight. Somehow they manage to do it, even though she adds more ornaments every year. She gets new pieces annually, and one of the cutest ornaments is the mini figure versions of the family in the tree.
“Building a Lego set gives me a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. Plus, it makes for a great decor in the house, and others appreciate it,” she said.
Their tree stays up until after the Chinese New Year. Afterward, it is carefully cleaned with brushes and a vacuum before being returned to the clear boxes. The bricks are sorted by type and color, making them easier to build again.
“For us, the tree is a symbol of love—a reminder to cherish the people and things you love. It’s a reason to be together, a way to bond with family and friends,” she said.
It also reminds them to be patient and find fulfillment. “Things that matter the most takes time to build and nurture.”
Their Christmas tree is happiness built brick by brick.
