IN THE SHOPS: APOLLO MISSION GIFT GUIDE

LEGO Lunar Lander

Cost: £89.99 / $99.99

From: LEGO

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LEGO has released a 1,087-piece building set that recreates NASA’s Apollo 11

Lunar Lander. The ‘Eagle’ has landed in stores around the world, and is also available online. Builders of all ages can now have a hands-on approach to lunar exploration and become inspired by the event that occurred almost 55 years ago. This collectible LEGO Creator Expert model comes equipped with all the pieces to construct the lander’s descent and ascent stage, including gold-coloured landing pads, an opening camera, laser hatches, a ladder and a very detailed interior to the Lunar Module that lifted Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin off the surface of the Moon. Speaking of the famous duo, their figures also come with the set, NASA-decorated as they plant the flag of the United States.

Case Astronaut Knife M-1

Cost: £258.95 / $285.99

From: Case Knives

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One instrument used by astronauts that has well and truly dipped under the radar has been the survival knife – Case’s Astronaut Knife M-1, which has been rereleased as a limited edition. But why would an astronaut need a 43-centimetre (17-inch), high-carbon, stainless-steel machete blade with a smooth, white synthetic handle? In the days of the Gemini and Apollo programs, NASA commissioned the production of a knife which would be stowed in the Command Module in case of emergencies and kept along with other items as part of a survival pack. NASA needed a knife that had a blunt base, an impressive ultra-lightweight and robust design and did not emit fumes to maintain the purity of the limited air supply.

Moon Dome Crown Coin

Cost: £9.95 (approx. $12.55)

From: The Bradford Exchange

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This is not your average coin: it’s a commemorative world-first edition of a solid-dome coin. On one side it features the face of Queen Elizabeth II, and on the reverse curves into the face of the Moon as seen from Earth. This incredible feat in coin-minting portrays the Moon’s surface in incredible detail, and you can even spot the Sea of Tranquillity where Armstrong and Aldrin laid their metaphorical hat for all of 21 hours. As this coin has been minted for such a special occasion, only 9,999 were made available to people around the world – so be sure not to miss out!