UncommonGoods, the best find since sliced cheese!!!!

Christmas is but 3 months away and with that comes the starting of Wish Lists and letters to Santa. This year, I found some awesome gifts on UncommonGoods.

We LOVE different and unique goodies. UncommonGoods is full of intriguing, mostly handmade, items that I think are great for gifts. These have made it to our wishlist for Christmas 2017.

Wittling these down to just a few was incredibly hard. Here are my top 3 items per category.

Boys

Stop Motion Animation Kit
Build Your Own Movie

Learn some of the magic behind stop-motion animation with this comprehensive construction / production kit. Stop-motion animation utilizes the principle of “persistence of vision” to create the illusion that inanimate objects are moving through a series of still photos displayed continuously like frames of a movie. A collaboration between a popular toy company and a UK animation studio, this kit pairs the imagination-fueling fun of a building toy with an easy-to-use stop-motion camera and software to edit individual frames together and share your results. The figures you can create lend themselves to the incremental posing of the stop-motion process, while the camera and software will have you shooting and sharing the antics of your own unique characters in no time. 101 pieces. Made in China.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Set
Through The Looking Glass

Encourage your kids to see stars through their own handiwork with a buildable kaleidoscope that shines mesmerizing webs of color at the turn of its scope. Part art project, part construction task, the Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Set offers an engaging way for young minds to cultivate composition skills while building a timeless keepsake. Like a personal treasure spinning geometric swirls, each one-of-a-kind craft will have your child marveling at their work and imagination. Set comes with everything needed–from glitter to glue–and easy-to-follow instructions to build your very own kaleidoscope. Includes cardboard tube, plastic mirror pieces, assorted beads and rhinestones, adhesive paper, foil confetti, craft glue and instructions. Made in New Zealand.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

My Comic Book Kit
Pow! Zap! Draw!

Whether you have a child who lives to draw or you’re an adult who hasn’t lost a love for illustrated adventures, this DIY comic book set might just be your action-packed dream come true. It comes with pre-formatted blank pages for you to create your story, along with a booklet of instructions, inspiration and helpful tips. Once your illustrated story is complete, simply seal it in the pre-paid envelope and slip it into the mail. Soon you will receive your very own, professionally-bound copy of your original comic book, complete with an “About the Author” page all about you! A great opportunity for your child to explore their imagination, the possibilities are truly epic. Books are made in the USA. Markers made in China.

Girls

Wishing Kit
Genie Not Included

What kid isn’t excited by the promise that comes with blowing out birthday candles? With this kit, they can create more opportunities for wishing—and granting wishes—on any occasion they like. It also offers a playful way to talk to your children about some big topics. What is a wish? What’s the power of a wish? Is wishing about giving, or getting? How are wishes, luck, and magic related?

With the included materials, they can create eight cute crafts, including a wish in a bottle, a magic wand, a good luck charm, and a dreamy wish pillow in the shape of a heart. Depending on their mood or personality, they can make secret wishes for themselves or others, or share their wish-craft as a group activity.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Fairy Kit
Pixie Play

Bring a DIY dimension to a miniature universe of magical beings. Kids will love making everything from tiny fairy doors, to fairy beds, to a welcoming garland, a “fairy dust” necklace and of course, the pretty fairies themselves. Girls and boys with their own fairy gardens will happily spend a rainy day or two indoors with this kit, which contains all the materials for eight cute projects.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Design Your Own Doll Kit
A Doll for All

Delight your little one while providing a less fortunate child a little something to lift their spirits. With some imagination and a touch of magic, your child can create their own plush pal with this kit. Inside an adorable kraft suitcase your creative kid will find an organic cotton doll and all the fabrics and accessories he or she will need to create a darling toy with three changes of clothing. For every doll your child creates, one is sent to an orphan or vulnerable child in need, allowing them to make it their own through an art workshop. A constructive activity to help children overcome tough circumstances, the process of creation gives underprivileged kids an opportunity to process what they have been through, reflect, and control at least one piece of their world. The doll is handmade made by a women’s collective group in India. Kit assembled in the United Arab Emirates.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Unisex

Financial Learning Ledger for Kids
Dollars and Sense

Even before she leaned how to write, designer Stephanie Johnson understood the value of a dollar. Her parents set her up with a ledger early on to keep track of her $1 a week allowance, a tool that helped her develop accountability and good money habits that she’s carried with her ever since. Inspired by her own junior bank book, she developed this kid-friendly financial log as practical (even fun!) way to help your mini magnate allocate their earnings and see how their allowance adds up over time. Made in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Storymatic Kids Game
Telling Tales

Have you heard the story about the princess whose dragon wore funny clothes? Or the sumo wrestler whose sneeze changed everything? Then you just haven’t told it yet! This special edition of the Storymatic storytelling game was created for kids ages five and up, and is full of zany story prompts that will get their imaginations spinning.

Creating a story with the Storymatic couldn’t be easier. Simply draw two yellow cards to reveal who your tale’s characters will be. Maybe she’s a couch potato who can talk to cows, or he’s a sea captain who only knows three words. Then the blue cards provide the situations that put your tale into motion.

The included booklet contains instructions, games and prompts, and soon you’ll be off exploring the reaches of your imagination. Makes a great tool for bedtime stories, family car trips, and creative writing activities. And while it was made with kids in mind, adults will have just as much fun joining in. Made in the USA.

American Sign Language Blocks
Show of Hands

Grasping the ABCs of American Sign Language is child’s play when your little learner gets a hold of these educational blocks. Character-filled cubes are printed with easy-to-follow diagrams of alphabetic hand signs and embossed letter forms that can be traced by tiny fingers. Handcrafted in Michigan of basswood grown in the Great Lakes area and printed with non-toxic inks.

There are so many great gift ideas for children on this site.

Teens

Buying things for teens can be tough! That’s an understatement, right? UncommonGoods has a great range dedicated to our awesome teens. Since our teen is heading out to boarding school next year, these are perfect for him. I just love the variety of items available for everyone. There is literally something for everyone.
Travel Cord Roll
Tangle-Free Travel

Luggage shifts, cords tangle, but you can keep your electronic companions organized in style with this travel roll. No more untangling a messy handful of cords just to charge your phone, rather, neatly tuck up to eight cords and two plugs into your stylish organizer. It’s also great for stowing small knick-knacks like watches, hair clips, or other on-the-go necessities. Designed in Los Angeles; made in China.

Video Games Collection Puzzle
The Big Picture

Photographer Jim Golden has an eye for striking imagery. His passion has been strategically funneled into this magnificent jigsaw puzzle. Comprised of 1,000 pieces, it features a large, vintage collection of video game consoles, controllers, and cartridges. Made from recycled chipboard in the USA. Photographed in Portland, Oregon.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Personal Shower Locker
Hands Off My Loofa!

Soap bar still wet from your shower 24 hours ago? Shampoo disappearing faster than you can say scrub-a-dub-dub? Tell roommates, little brothers, and house guests, “Hands off my loofa!” with this shower locker. Featuring a combination lock, anti-fog mirror, removable shelf with holes for a toothbrush and razor, and two commercial-grade suction cups capable of holding up to forty pounds, you’ll keep bathing essentials within reach and off limits. Made in China.

Papa

I have never found it difficult to buy for Papa, but UncommonGoods has definitely made it much easier with their great range of products.

Kinetic Gear Key Holder
Cult Classic

You’ll never forget to grab your keys before you suit up for a full day of tracking down replicants, traversing the galaxy, or just wrangling your inbox with this steampunk-inspired key holder. Lance Nybye Jr.’s laser-engraved plywood design lets you mod a blase set of keys into a kinetic expression of your retro-futuristic style. The individual gears move in unison, and the movement opens and closes with ease, allowing you to add additional keys when your next adventure calls. Made in San Diego, California.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, each is unique and will vary.

Great Moustaches Mug
The Manliest Mug

No longer will people be able to merely gaze upon you and say, “That is one impressive moustache you have.” Instead, as you stand sipping your coffee, onlookers will be dazzled by the sheer spectacle of the fourteen iconic and historical lip warmers that grace your mug. From push brooms to handlebars, you’ll find the facial hair sported by some of the great men of poetry, art, science and philosophy. Not sure which stache is which? A numbered answer key is printed on the bottom of the mug for your post-beverage convenience. Made in China.

The Gentleman Grooming Set
Gents’ Scents

Got a big date? A whiskey tasting? A meeting of the Well-Groomed Gentlemen’s Society? Get spiffed up with the classic clean and sophisticated scents of this grooming set. The Power Shower is a refreshing, efficient hair and body wash, while the solid cologne provides a finishing touch as crisp as an arrow collar. Both feature a portmanteau of masculine scents, with bright citrus anchored by woodsy mahogany and a touch of sweetness from sugar maple extract. The set also includes soothing citrus and musk hand “rescue” cream, citrus-mahogany pomade, and a solid hickory comb. Once you’re clean, dry (like your martinis and your wit), and coifed, you’ll be ready for any genteel endeavor. SLS, paraben, and dye-free. Made in the manly environs of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.

Momma

Birdie Yarn Bowl
Strings Attached

Your knitting circle just got a little sweeter. With a hand-sculpted sparrow perched along its edge, Aaron A. Harrison,’s stoneware bowl keeps skeins of yarn in place while you knit, crochet, or weave. A hooked opening allows the yarn to unfurl in a steady stream, and holes pierced in the bowl’s side offer a convenient resting spot for needles between knits and purls. A little bird told us that this is the perfect crafting companion for when you’re creating your own homespun creations for all your close-knits. Handmade in upstate New York.

Kitchen Utensil and Tablet Holder
Take a Stand

Heather and Myles Geyman’s modern cookbook stand puts your go-to gastronomical guide out of harm’s way while keeping your low-fi kitchen tools at an arm’s reach. With a convenient notch specially designed to fit your tablet, the holder keeps the screen in view and your counter clutter-free. The artist slip cast the dock/holder from white stoneware that is finished with a subtle speckled glaze. Handmade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, each is unique and will vary.

Himalayan Salt Foot Care Set
Salt of the Earth

Putting your best foot forward is easy when you treat your tootsies with this soothing kit. Elizabeth McElwain makes every component of this spa set on her West Virginia farm, even the canvas bag. Inspired by naturally beautiful powder-pink Himalayan salt, she infuses each element of her kit–the foot soap, foot scrub, and beeswax foot balm–with this luxurious ingredient plus more than 80 minerals and vitamins. Handmade in West Virginia.

The inspiration for UncommonGoods came in 1999, when the founder, Dave Bolotsky, visited a Smithsonian Museum craft show in Washington D.C. and was captivated by the variety of unique handmade goods and the talented people behind them. He saw there was a significant public demand for beautiful design. At the same time, he realized that the artists working to make those pieces were often traveling great distances in order to sell their wares at the show. Inspired by his experience, Dave had a vision to create something that had never existed before—an online marketplace to connect makers and their creations with individuals looking for truly special goods, regardless of the physical distance between the maker and the shopper. Dave turned this idea into UncommonGoods. He continued traveling to craft fairs and trade shows, meeting artists and finding stand-out merchandise, while running the business out of his home on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Before long, the company had outgrown Dave’s apartment, and moved through three successively larger offices in downtown Manhattan, eventually settling in our current location in Brooklyn, NY. [Source]