Looking to start your holiday shopping early this year? Check out part one of MAF’s 2025 Gifting Guide to spread holiday cheer with architecture lovers of all ages. Whether you are looking for building models, architecture books, or toys for young creatives, this guide has gifts that will help brighten the holidays.
lego.com New York City Architecture Collection
Lego offers a range of options in their Architecture Collection, from an extremely detailed model of the Neuschwanstein Castle, to a simpler model of the New York Skyline.
There are various options that would make greats gifts for architecture students and adults.
Giving an experience as a gift can make for great memories. There are many different types of tours available all over the state.
Preservation Detroit offers various walking tours (including private tours) and historic building tours, they also have custom tour gift certificates available.
Alden B. Dow Home and Studio offers both public and private tours displaying the beauty of mid-century modern architecture in Midland. They also have various exclusive tours throughout the year, including holiday tours.
store.moma.org Architect’s Cubes
The Meyer May House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, located in Grand Rapids, offers free tours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. This tour would make a great addition for those interested in the gift of exploring Grand Rapids and Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.
The MoMA Design Store offers a diverse selection of home decor, books, furniture pieces, and more. Each purchase supports the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, which had the world’s first curatorial department devoted to architecture and design.
Their book selection includes children’s book Young Frank Architect by Frank Viva and AIA’s 1996 Classic Book Award Winner, Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture by Robert Venturi.
mindware.com Mindware Art-chitect Kit
The Architect’s Cubes, designed by architects John Bennett and Gustavo Bonevardi, offer a unique perspective on sculptural building blocks. They are made out of maple wood, bakelite, cork, granite, EVA, silicone, acrylic, and aluminum.
Looking for gifts to inspire children? MindWare offers a variety of STEM related toys for all ages. Magna-Tiles can help to support curiosity in architecture for those ages 3 and up. The Art-chitect Architecture Set combines creativity and critical thinking to introduce young designers to drafting.