Almost a quarter of a century ago  (we tend to round up numbers) we made the first of many visits to the National Building Museum — and its shop — in Washington, DC. Today we eat daily on flatware designed by Robert Venturi for Swid Powell that we acquired on a sale at the shop. A number of building block sets based on well-known structures still grace our grandchildren's playroom in our house.  

Presently, find a unique barbecue tool set that includes a Spatula/Wrench, Fork/Hammerand Brush/Tape Measure ($36). Above, the Bookrest lamp ($81) ; Harvard University Dexter Gate Bookend ($240) and finally, the bargain 'house' gift expressed in a tissue box cover for $6. Or could tht bargain be topped by the Arc d' Triomphe eraser for $5?

If you're a sock fan as we are, there are Ozone striped pairs with three different patterns and colors to choose from at $16 (or less, if you're a member). For the academic (teacher or student) there's the 2012-2013 August to August Calendar Organizer in six colors. Or perhaps during this election year,  the 1887 Map of Washington DC Journal would be appropriate ($18).  The historic map was prepared by Axel Silversparre under the direction of the Engineer Commissioner of the District and using records from the office of the Surveyor of the District. 

In the Toys and Games department, the Architecture Crossword Puzzle book ($3.95) is an ideal gift for architects, architecture aficionados and those who can't get enough of the classic puzzle form. 

And for the ultimate jigsaw puzzle, consider this, the Berlin 4D Cityscape Puzzle ($39.99) with which you can build  Berlin from 1292 through the present. You first build the base puzzle which consists of regular jigsaw pieces. Then you refer to the 4D Time Poster to identify and place each building on the map in sequence according to the year it was built. Experience and rebuild the past, present and future. You can find other 4D Citypuzzles here which include the cities of London, New York, Chicago, Paris and Washington. 

Finally, we must recommend the Kapla 280 piece Box and Book. We first encountered the Kapla experience at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkely which set aside a large room for space to create many structures for this 'toy'.

The 'blocks' introduce kids and parents to designing, stacking, building, engineering and cool construction. The lid of the box is a book with 24 pages of building suggestion. It's $125, not a cheap 'toy' but one that would be worth the investment for visitors and your own children and grandchildren. 

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