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If you’re fond of puzzles, here’s one that will take a bit more time while you figure out what piece goes where.

“Who’s the best looking brainteaser of them all? 72-piece reflective acrylic mirror is stocking stuffer, conversation maker, mindblower.”

15″ sq.

I went to a Montessori school when I was growing up and I remember loving the pink tower and the way the wood sounded as the blocks clinked together on the shiny pink lacquer. I also remember how someone would always steal top block.

If you do have kids, the pink tower is used for introducing children to concepts of three dimensional size variance, weight differential and intricate stacking.

Whether you have kids or not, it’s a pretty cool looking sculptural object.

Instead of getting a kid an x-box, don’t you want to be the type of aunt or uncle that gives the brainy gifts that are also really fun to play with?

“As irresistible to adults as it is to children, MUJI’s New York in a Bag comes with nine wooden city structures and six wooden cars. Included are New York City icons such as the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Guggenheim Museum, and MoMA’s original 1939 building. The wood is from sustainable forests. Recommended for ages 4 and up.”

(This item’s link and price was updated 11/19/09.)

This is a great gift for one of those brainy types. It’s a puzzle with four identical pieces that can be assembled in a variety of ways.

I just love little puzzles. I think they’re a nice addition to any desktop and make for a great mental distraction when necessary. This particular one was designed by Charles O. Perry in 1967.

“Made entirely of Plexiglas, the manner in which light bounces off this three-dimensional desktop puzzle gives it a jewel-like appearance. A challenge to take apart and put back together, the puzzle comes in a felt gift bag. Perry is a renowned sculptor whose most prestigious work stands in front of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.”