For those of you that are new around here, I’m a big fan of gifts that aren’t the norm. I love having local creatives create gifts for me to share with friends and family so it’s that little bit more personal. Sometimes I do find it a little tough to find something I want as there are only so many hand-drawn prints you can give out, so that’s when I turn to UncommonGoods. They have an insanely good range of odd bits and bobs that are right up my street.
UncommonGoods were founded in 1999 and their headquarters are in the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York. They have some really great ways of working that really makes me proud to shop with them, such as the way the lowest-paid seasonal worker starts at 50% above the minimum wage and half of what they sell on their website is made by hand. Most of the jewelry products, home decor, and tabletop products are created in the USA. UncommonGoods also states that about one-third of their entire collection incorporates recycled and/or upcycled materials which is something else I can totally get behind!
Something else they do that I bloody love is that as they are an independently owned business they have the freedom to support causes they believe in so with every purchase you make, they’re super proud to donate $1 to the non-profit charity of your choice. Since they started the Better to Give program 12 years ago, they’ve donated over $1 million to charities around the world which is something I really admire!
But on to the reason of the post, I’ve picked a few super quirky alternative gifts that you might be tempted by it you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this year and are a little stumped for ideas of what to get the lady or lad in your life…
If the love in your life is anything like mine when it comes to music then they will love these awesome Recycled Record Bookends! Music-loving artist Jeff Davis makes them by hand in Philadelphia, using two, real 7″ 45rpm records which have been bonded to a thick inner core and supported by a steel tongue that will keep your books from rocking and rolling right off the shelf! I love them and think they’d fit right in with any music lovers home.
This is a bit of a cheeky one as it means you can get yourself a little gift whilst looking super giving! For us, as a couple, these are so on point, as I’m a cider or craft beer drinker and he’s quite partial to a glass of wine or two! We love anything with our initials on as it just makes gifts that little bit more personal.
Can you tell we really love music in our household?!
After recently being to Tennessee this really caught my eye, even after I said no more prints!! It just really stood out as when we were in Tennesse we did so many music-related tours such as the Gibson Guitar Factory, Sun Studios and Graceland that I think we may have seen all the guitars in Tennesse!
What kind of gifts do you buy the loves in your life?
I'm Squibb Vicious, better known as Haydy!
Happiest with a craft beer in hand, eating til my heart is content or exploring somewhere new.
Here you can read about my adventures!