- We highly recommend shopping Uncommon Goods for any gifting occasion.
- Its unique products are made by independent makers from around the world, saving you from generic and unmemorable gifts.
- Uncommon Goods is one of the few places we know we'll always find something cool for our loved ones.
Shopping is time-consuming and stressful, so it's no wonder many of us often default to buying generic, unmemorable gifts just to get the whole process over with. We've all been guilty of it, and part of the reason is the lack of unique options that live in one, easily shoppable place.
Uncommon Goods, an online shop inspired by the founder's experiences roaming craft fairs and trade shows, highlights the best of independent makers from around the world. Selling thousands of unique products, it's one of the few places we know we'll always find something cool for our loved ones, whether they're hungry home cooks, die-hard sports fans, or classic old souls.
If you see a lot of gifts from the site that you like, or you think you'll shop Uncommon Goods for other gifting occasions, sign up for its Uncommon Perks shipping program. Shipping prices ordinarily start at $4.95 and depend on your order value and desired shipping speed, but this $14.90 annual membership will get you free standard shipping on all US orders, regardless of order value. You'll also get two $5 credits every year and first access to new products and sales.
If your desired gift is backordered or might not make it to your recipient on time, you can send a "Thinking of you" card, email, or text to let them know it's on its way.
Before you dive into the treasure trove that is Uncommon Goods, check out our 23 top gift ideas from the site:
A cocktail grow kit
Cocktail Grow Kit, $12
If they enjoy making cocktails, this grow kit will allow them to grow ingredients for their cocktails from scratch. This kit comes with everything they'll need for growing including starter soil, growing instructions, and of course seeds. With fun ingredients like thyme, lavender, and Thai basil, they'll be able to whip up innovative and fun cocktails.
A tea sampler for the tea lover in your life
Tea from Around the World Set, $55
Perfect for any tea enthusiast, this set comes with ten tubes of tea leaves from around the world. Accompanying the set is a guide book that shares information about each tea and gives tips on how to best brew each one.
A flannel to keep their beverages cold
Chill Beer Flannel, $14
Help them keep their beverages cold with these adorable can flannels. Each flannel contains two layers of waterproof insulation, ensuring that they'll be able to enjoy cold beverages for hours to come.
A pair of kissing mugs
The Kissing Mugs, $65
These mugs fit together effortlessly and provide a sweet start to the morning.
A cooking gadget that brings their waffles to the next level
Stuffed Waffle Iron, $69
Whether they're a savory or sweet breakfast person, they'll be able to customize their waffles with different types of filling. To use, fill the bottom with batter and the middle with any filling, then flip and cook.
A pair of lamps made for long-distance relationships
Long Distance Friendship Lamp, $85-$170
Everyone is busy these days, and it's not as easy to keep up with loved ones as we all wish. With the ongoing pandemic, meeting them in person may also be impossible.
A set of paired lamps, one of which lights up when the other is touched, lets them know you're still thinking of them even when you don't have time to talk or can't physically visit them. One of our editors uses them to keep in touch with her parents.
A beautiful and unconventional puzzle
Geode Puzzle, $65
If regular puzzles just aren't challenging enough for them, these nature-inspired ones exercise their brain in new and exciting ways.
A cheeseboard shaped like their home state
USA and State Serving Board, $48
State pride and an excellent cheese and charcuterie spread go hand in hand with these beautiful bamboo boards.
A portable microphone that lets them sing their heart out wherever they are
Karaoke Microphone Speaker, $50
For better or for worse, everyone in the vicinity is going to hear your recipient's voice, thanks to this fun and easy-to-use microphone.
Soap that looks like gemstones
Birthstone Mineral Soaps, $20
They almost won't want to use these pretty soaps that look like birthstones. The handcrafted soaps are made with safe vegetable-based dyes and vitamin E oil.
A personalized print to commemorate a couple's first dance
Wedding Waltz Personalized Art, $300-$500
Aside from playing the song over and over, another way to remember their first dance is with a sophisticated, classic print that incorporates personal details like location and dates.
A poster fit for movie buffs
100 Movies Scratch Off Poster, $15
Cinephiles will rejoice at the opportunity to document their knowledge with this creative poster. A hundred classics like "Casablanca" and "Jaws" have made the cut.
An embroidered mask made by local artists
Embroidered Hummingbird Face Mask, $20
These days, there are fewer gifts more practical than PPE. These cotton masks are also beautifully embroidered with colorful hummingbirds and flowers.
A jar that looks deceivingly similar to a plastic bag
Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag, $17
Only upon closer inspection do they realize that this ordinary bag is in fact made from glass, not plastic.
A chess set for anyone who loves New York
NYC Skyline Chess, $120
All the NYC buildings they love, from the instantly recognizable ones like One World Trade and the Empire State Building to the brownstones they walk by every day, make up this novelty chess set.
A case that sanitizes dirty phones
PhoneSoap Smartphone Sanitizer, $80
Most of us carry our phones with us everywhere — and we mean, everywhere. PhoneSoap kills 99.9% of common household germs, including bacteria that can lead to e. coli, salmonella, staph, flu, and the common cold.
A Pantone chip ottoman for artists and designers
Pantone Storage Stool, $80
This storage stool lets them appreciate the iconic Pantone system and adds a pop of color to their living room or bedroom.
Soothing eye stones made from Finnish bedrock
Orbits Eye Stones, $20
Help them bring the spa day experience to their home with these cooling stones. When they're feeling stressed or suffering from puffy eyes, they can use this gift to decompress and relax.
A build-it-yourself light sculpture
Sound-Activated Light Blocks, from $30
There are no guides to this set of light-up, sound-activated play blocks. Be prepared for the room to light up with creativity.
Guitar picks made out of quarters
Custom Repurposed Quarter Guitar Picks, $30
Coin guitar picks not only look cool but they also change the feel and sound of the music-playing experience. For this gift, you can choose one commemorative state quarter and one quarter minted during your choice of the year.
A DIY root beer kit
Root Beer Science Kit, $16
If they're a fan of the classic root beer, gift them a fun science experiment that will end with their favorite drink. If they'd prefer a cocktail, another soft drink, or a snack, Uncommon Goods has quite a few DIY food and drink kits to choose from.
A watch that runs on regular tap water
Revolutionary H2O Powered Watches, $40
Fill the backs of these watches with water and they become fully functioning time tellers.
Delicious lollipops that can then be grown into herbs or flowers
Blooming Lollipops, $20
After consuming one of these eight delicious lollipops (flavors include lavender-lemongrass, strawberry-basil, and peach-marigold), you can plant the stick to grow the lollipop's ingredients.