If you think about it, there are really only three types of gift-givers in this world:
- The ones who give gifts that are so practical, they’re boring. Think dress socks for your husband or underwear for your kids.
- The ones who give gifts that are so creative, they’re impractical. This linen matchbox sleeve is the perfect example.
- The ones who give gifts that are the perfect mix of practical and creative. Basically anything from UncommonGoods would fit the bill.
Have you ever given or received anything from UncommonGoods? The Brooklyn-based company specializes in unique gifts for men, women, and children that are mostly handmade, always innovative, and never contain leather, feathers, or fur. To see what I mean, check out personalized gifts here, baby gifts here, and gifts for kids here.
Keep reading to learn more and to enter to win the $50 UncommonGoods giveaway!
What I love about UncommonGoods is that it’s basically a cross between an indie craft show and an inventive trade show. They sell handcrafted products from local and international artisans, plus items produced by well-established and forward-thinking brands. UncommonGoods buyers scour the web for the latest and greatest in design, but the retailer also encourages artists to submit their work for consideration, too.
Take Judi Powers, for example. My former boss (yes, really!) left her gig in publishing almost 10 years ago to explore her passion for jewelry design. One of her big breaks came when she entered an UncommonGoods Jewelry Design Challenge a few years ago and ended up winning the grand prize. Since then, three of her nature-inspired pieces have been available online, including this handmade ear climber.
I also appreciate that UncommonGoods is an environmentally-friendly and socially-responsible company. They prioritize handmade, recycled, and organic products and even print their catalog on Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] certified and recycled paper. Plus, they offer health insurance to all of their full-time (and most part-time) employees and, with every purchase, will donate $1 to one of five non-profits chosen by the customer through their Better to Give program.
So what could you buy if you won the $50 UncommonGoods giveaway? Here are a few of my favorite things:
Slate Cheese Board with Soapstone Chalk
Ready to enter the giveaway? Simply follow the prompts in the widget below for 5 chances to win!
This UncommonGoods giveaway closes at 11:59pm EST on Sunday, May 15th, and the winner will be announced on Monday. One winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to UncommonGoods. Sorry, this giveaway is open to US residents only!
My husband just gave me a bunch of hard-to-source native wildflower seeds for mother’s day. I’m really excited to see what takes in our yard, and hopefully they will come back each year!
The best gift I have received was a handmade quilt that my grandmother made for me!
Ooh..tough question! A fun gift was my 30th birthday. My mom gave me Julia Child’s cookbook & a pearl necklace to wear while cooking!
In terms of “worst”, someone gave me a Bath & Body Works gift card that already had the pin code scratched off.
This will sound weird, but I’d buy their butter churn for my husband. We used to have one and the jar broke when we moved!
one of my best friends texted me a happy birthday from overseas….shortly after meeting with the dalai lama 😉
Those baby milestone cards would make an adorable gift for a new parent!
my engagement ring from my husband. i genuinely loved it and have always loved it, esp because of the memories attached to it.
I got a food tour from my hubby, wonderful gift!
I received a beautiful bouquet for Mothers Day.
Worst gifts when my husband buys me techie stuff that he really just wants. 😉
best gift- my husband surprised me with a very large gift certificate to one of my fav stores…
I got a Ulta gift card for Mother’s Day!
The best gift I received was a clip video my husband made in secret over the first year of our daughter’s life. He threw me a surprise party for my 30th and showed it on a big screen. So thoughtful ❤️
The most recent best gift I’ve received was a Kindle, from my parents. I have decided repeatedly for years that I don’t need one (I like reading actual books, I prefer the library for novels I’m only going to read once, I have a smartphone and a tablet that I can read ebooks on, etc.) but since I got it I’ve been reading so much more than before.
The best gift I received is a painting my boyfriend did for me (and he had never painted before!)
My husband totally nailed a surprise gift by giving me a training journal when I signed up for a half marathon. It’s super girly and inspirational, and best of all, totally analog! It was a moment when I realized that he does get me after all.
Oh this is tough! I always love the unexpected random gifts from the hubs!
The last best gift I received was a new shirt.
The worst gift I got was a tackle box
My last best gift was a trip to an amazing resort in Playa Muyeres, Mexico for my birthday. It was amazing thanks to my bf! <3
Weathertech floor mats! Hands down one of the best gifts I have ever received.
I received a beautiful arrangement of flowers from my husband and kids for Mother’s Day.
My husband got me the camera I’ve been wanting for years this Christmas.
the worst was a porcelain doll.. when i was in high school!
A most recent best gift was a double walled sharing pitcher for tea time.
Best gift is my blanket with my kids pics
I received a ruby and diamond ring for Mother’s Day. Such a beautiful ring! It’s my son’s birthstone.
I’ve gotten a paper weight as a gift :(.
A lucky bamboo plant
worst- a long and large fake gold chain necklace
Love Uncommon Goods! I think the worst gift I ever received was a microwave omelet maker from my Grandma when I was 12. We still don’t know what she was thinking.
I’ve been looking for cute blocks to get my 15 month old and those ABC blocks are awesome!
the worst was a porcelain doll. 🙁
Ha ha I sure hope I fall in the #3 category! But probably not…. I love uncommon goods, such cute stuff!
The best was fudge for Mother’s Day.
The best gift I received was a handmade card from my preschool students
Once my parents got me a beanbag chair, but they told me it was a big bag of coal.
My late grandfather willed me his camera collection- so many amazing old cameras and such a wonderful reminder of him!
My best gift was my grandmother’s china. It’s so beautiful and full of history. So excited to get it from my mom.
The worst gift we ever received was w glass chip and dip bowl so large that it took us 3 days to figure out that was even what it was and we didn’t have a table big enough to put it on. It was also from a store 400 miles away, so 10 years later it remains in our basement!
Best gift I received was a pair of Tieks from my husband 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
The last worst gift I received was on Mother’s Day. The only thing I received from my husband was a pair of earrings…that I bought for myself! I mean I know it’s not all about the gifts, but come on. And he didn’t spend any time with our daughter that day. It’s okay, I don’t need a day off or anything.
Love those baby blocks!