REAGAN LIBRARY HAS A PRESENT FOR EVERY SHOPPER AND BUDGET.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - If all you want for Christmas is a Stetson cowboy hat like the one Ronald Reagan wore or a video compilation of the Great Communicator's great wit, the gift shop at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and Library has what you need.

From replicas of the fine china the first couple dined on to collectible teaspoons bearing the former president's image, the gift shop features possible presents for everyone from presidential history buffs to Reagan fans who wear their passion on their lapels.

Shopper Nelia Morgan of Newbury Park visited last week to buy three patriotic pins.

``I wear a flag pin every day. These three have the American flag, the California flag and the presidential seal. This is the only place you can get them.''

The gift shop buzzes with activity during the holiday shopping period, selling bags of Reagan jelly beans for $14.95 and a miniature patriotic tea set for $16.95.

Some of the more expensive items include a $5,990 reproduction of a mahogany desk presented to the White House by Queen Victoria in 1879, and a $430 place setting of the Mottahedeh ``Golden Butterfly'' chosen by the Reagans for their personal china.

It's also possible to shop at the store on the Internet at www.reaganfoundation.org/store/.

``I bought 20 Christmas ornaments for people I work with. It's a tradition. I've been doing this for the last five years,'' said David Dalton, a retired Los Angeles Police Department sergeant and executive director of the Los Angeles Police Historical Society.

``I've admired and respected Ronald Reagan as long as I can remember. He had a tremendous relationship with the LAPD and wanted the department to be represented here,'' said Dalton, who has been working with the library in connection with LAPD aspects of the Air Force One exhibit.

There are dozens of books in the gift shop, not only about Reagan but about American and world history in general, some written for adults and some to help children learn about their nation's history.

``I'm a nurse and I've cared for Alzheimer patients for about 24 years,'' said Annis Cook, who was visiting the library from Austin, Texas, and bought a copy of Patti Davis book ``The Long Goodbye'' describing the loss of her father to Alzheimer's disease.

Cook also bought an elaborate Christmas ornament and a photograph of Ronald Reagan she planned to frame for a room she devotes to military memorabilia.

``I was in the Army Reserve and he (Reagan) was my commander in chief,'' she said.

With Ronald Reagan's death June 5 and the funeral services that followed, the library has had a record number of visitors this year, including many like Cook who express a special attachment to the former president.

Melissa Giller, a spokeswoman for the library, said the guests who visit range from young students to senior citizens, so the gift shop caters to a wide range of ages.

``On average, the Reagan Library has around 200,000 visitors a year. This year we will surpass the 500,000 mark,'' Giller said. ``The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. It's a really good place for people to come to buy something patriotic, something seasonal or something for the Ronald Reagan fan.''

Betty and Norm Oppliger of Oxnard came to the museum to view its display of decorated Christmas trees from all over the world.

``This gift shop is wonderful. It has truly lovely things,'' Betty Oppliger said.

There are scores of books, CDs, DVDs and video tapes for sale, including one titled ``Stand-Up Reagan'' which keeps visitors laughing at the former president's fun-loving sense of humor.

There are the books written by his children, and the special CD and DVD titled ``Mourning in America,'' which offer words, music and images from Ronald Reagan's funeral.

Alan Waskul of Simi Valley bought an 8-by-10 glossy photograph of the former president and two caps bearing images of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.

One cap was for himself and the other for his 78-year-old brother Greg in Canada. ``I'm going to frame this photograph and put it on my wall with a picture of George W. Bush. I also have autographed pictures of about 30 celebrities I got when I worked at ABC television,'' Waskul said.

Patty and Tom Dunbar of Carmichael, Calif., bought a large red, white and blue Christmas tree ornament. ``We got it as an exchange gift for a Christmas party. It should really be fun,'' Patty said.

John and Linda Addeo from Long Island found a pewter teaspoon with Reagan's image at the top to add to Linda's collection.

``I've been all over the world and have spoons from 20 countries,'' said Linda Addeo. ``It was the last spoon they had. I was really glad.''

``I found some cute little ornaments,'' said Judy Edgcomb of Hampton, N.H. ``This store's got a little bit of everything for everybody.''

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Norm and Betty Oppliger of Oxnard enjoy a morning of shopping at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library gift shop.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer