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If You’re Looking For A Unique Birthday Gift, Here Are 28 Options From Uncommon Goods

Turning to a purveyor that literally has “uncommon” in its name seems like a no-brainer.

Posted 16 hours ago

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by Colin Gorenstein BuzzFeed Contributor

I am a contributing writer based in Brooklyn who previously held roles at BuzzFeed including Commerce Writer, Senior Entertainment Partnership Manager (Streaming Lead), and Streaming Editor.

1. A custom leatherette-bound Wall Street Journalbirthday bookfilled with front pages from each year since their birth, for the avid media consumer in your life. Ah, to be young and free and not paywalled...

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "What do you get a 70-year-old golf professional who already has everything? This was the perfect answer. The moment he opened it, he was genuinely blown away. He loved it so much he immediately told his three sisters about it — and I ended up sharing [Uncommon Goods] with all of them. Even better, his son (late 30s) picked it up and started flipping through it right away. The quality is absolutely fabulous — beautiful, substantial, and truly special. This isn't just a gift, it's something that spans generations." —Geena 

Price: $125+ (available in two styles)

2. An "unlock the wine" Escape Room game that'll keep your trivia- (or vino-) obsessed friend busy as they put their wits to the test with an immersive card game. Dare I say, I kind of want to toss my phone in this cage with the wine? 

Uncommon Goods

Includes: a metal wine cage, a four-digit combination lock, 54 escape room cards, and a score sheet.

Promising review: "I bought this as a birthday gift for a friend who loves playing games as a family. We had so much fun. This was not easy to solve, so we had a few hours of fun. I will buy it again." —Sandy b

Price: $30

3. Speaking of phones: This acoustic frog amplifying phone speaker— yes, that's a ceramic vessel that boosts your smartphone's volume — that will get the "frog person" in your life (we all have one) leaping for joy. Adorable enough that I wouldn't even be mad if I saw someone using it on the subway (but don't test me).

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "I read a review that said it actually worked. My mother was having a terrible time hearing on the phone, so I bought it and gave it to her as a gift. It's fun, nicely made pottery with glaze. It works really well. While I was there, we also played music on the phone, taking it outside. I'm so surprised but very glad I got it." —Fb

Price: $55

4. A create-your-own reel viewer you can load up with some fun memories shared together. Or, opt for something less sappy and throw in some inside-joke visual gags to make them laugh. 

Uncommon Goods

Includes: One viewer andcode in the package to redeem one reel of seven images directly from the vendor.

Promising review: "This item was even better than I expected; it truly brought me back to the past. The manufacturer had a really helpful website to create the reels, which turned out awesome. Also, the shipping was extremely fast. I will be buying reels for years to come as my family and I make more memories." —Carson the Ninja

Price: $34.95 (available in three colors)

5. Handmade "dumpling" booties for the tiny tot, because if we're being honest with ourselves, baby gifts are mostly about winning over the parents. (And what parent is going to be able to resist these stupidly cute wool creations in a felt steamer basket?)

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "In today's world, where mass-produced goods of such little quality can be purchased with a click of a button, these Dumpling Booties are a true find. You can feel the human touch in the little booties as soon as you lift the lid of the special dumpling container (quality in itself). Truly adorable, I bought a pair for each of my nieces." —Sister

Price: $29 

6. A create-your-own "photo flashlight" to give them a piece of Y2K nostalgia (think: slide projectors) with a customized selection of their favorite images.

Uncommon Goods

Includes: a photo flashlight (with two AA batteries), three starter reels (dinosaurs, space, safari), and a code to create a custom reel with eight personal images.

Promising review: "This product is unique and reliable. I've bought it for my nieces and nephews, and it's become a consistent favorite toy of theirs, especially before bedtime. The 'create your own' feel is a fantastic feature. My nieces and nephews like to project that reel when they miss their family." —Proud Auntie

Price: $32

7. "Fart Bingo" — a gaseous spin on the classic board game, featuring 48 animal fart varieties —  because, at least when it comes to kid gifts, you really can't go wrong with bathroom humor. Much like an SBD, they won't know what hit 'em with this discreetly obscene gift. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "I sat in an adjoining room after I presented this game to my nieces and nephews  — all I heard was laughter [...] — [and] they had the best time playing the game. Best gift ever, will be purchasing again." —The Aunt

Price: $25

8. In the same spirit, an animal memory game called "Find My Behind." It'll keep their recall sharp — no, ifs, ands, or butts about it. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "This is a well-designed game for a young child just getting to a point where matching games are starting to make sense. Loved it!" —Auntie

Price: $16

9. A build-your-own squirrel playground and feeder that'll give them permission to play, create, and get curious about local wildlife.

Uncommon Goods

Includes: Pre-cut wood pieces, paint and brushes, tools, hardware, and an unbreakable jar for feeding.

Price:$34

10. A bug hotel (that's a functional bug hotel to shelter pollinators and beneficial backyard insects) for the environmentally curious person in your life who loves a hands-on project. 

Uncommon Goods

Includes: FSC-certified cedarwood, zinc-plated screws, screwdriver, glue, water-based acrylic paints, brushes, and natural nesting materials.

Promising review: "Exceptional quality materials. Everything needed was included, and the instructions were very clear." —Grandma MJ

Price: $34

11. A make-your-own candy sushi kit because food trickery is a feat that should be enjoyed by all ages. 

Uncommon Goods

Includes: Fruit candy, rice treats, marshmallows, chopsticks, a bento box, and scissors.

Promising review: "Just the right balance of something whimsical and fun for anyone who has a fun and youthful spirit. Great quality and such a unique gift for anyone who has a sweet tooth!" —LB

Price: $50

12. A hand-carved bamboo and reclaimed teak wood garden duck for the green-fingered person in your life with a cheeky sensibility. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "We saw these on social media and ordered the large and medium ones for ourselves, and love them!! Since then, we have given three of the large ones as gifts, and the recipients raved on and on about how cute they are and how much they love them." —Mountain Mama

Price: $30+ (available in three styles)

13. A glow-in-the-dark cotton tee that has a luminescent ink panel, so any direct light source — including the mini light wand that comes with it — will create works of art across their chest. Fittingly, the reviews are glowing, too!

Uncommon Goods

Includes: Cotton tee (available in five sizes) and a rechargeable mini light wand, hung from a lanyard.

Promising review: "Awesome aunt of the year award for me. 9-year-old niece loved it and thought it was unique. Definitely recommend this purchase." —hoochie

Price: $25

14. A pasta art kitto give the colorful foodie in your life a playground for their wildest culinary creations. 

Uncommon Goods

Includes: Pasta wheel, dough cutter set, 00 flour, beet root powder, turmeric powder, spirulina powder, and purple powder.

Promising review: "Love this creative gift for my pasta-loving artist 8-year-old. A great gift that enabled us to have some fun together." —Tené A

Price: $50

15. An indoor/outdoor pickleball set, because pickleball is back in a big way, and it happens to be the perfect gift for the little one who is always buzzing with energy. They'll appreciate the easy-to-hold paddles, made for children 6+ years old.

Uncommon Goods

Includes: One net, two paddles, and two indoor pickleballs, all stored in a handheld zip-up bag.

Promising review: "Kids love it. Great way to get out extra energy. Easy to set up in a garage or basement on hot or rainy days." —A Mom 

Price: $100

16. A DIY plywood tableaulit by mini LED lights to rest on their bookshelf — a rewarding gift for anyone who loves puzzles, miniatures, or shelfmaxxing. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "I bought two different ones for adult gifts, and they both loved them!! Great Saturday project that adds to their home decor!" —Dojen

Price: $40+ (available in seven versions) 

17. A "hot sauces of America" kitso they can treat their senses to a cross-country tour of America's best hot sauces — without ever stepping foot in a car (or bothering you to accompany them, the person with very low heat tolerance).

Uncommon Goods

Includes: Chesapeake Bay Hot Sauce, Florida Hot Sauce, Georgia Hot Sauce, Texas Hot Sauce, and Virginia Hot Sauce.

Promising review: "When my daughter saw this, she had to buy it for her stepdad, who is a pretty special guy. He loves spicy stuff, and I do not, so this is a delicious way for him to add some heat to his food. I will not try these because I do not want to incinerate my taste buds. But, my spice-loving husband says they are incredibly delicious." —Jennifer native Idahoan

Price: $45 (for five sauces) 

18. A soapstone and cork foot massage set for the person with an achy foot and a discerning eye. You can be certain they won't come across a sole massager anywhere near as aesthetically pleasing as this one. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "My mom has plantar fasciitis and is in pain constantly. She was using a tennis ball to massage her feet, so I bought her the foot massager to ease her pain and improve her effectiveness in massaging. She absolutely loves it. She said it's been more effective than her previous home remedies, and it's helped her manage her pain. Would definitely recommend as an effective foot massage." —International Love

Price: $42

19. A mochi ice cream kitfor when store-bought simply won't cut it. (Or they simply want better dairy/lactose-free options.) The birthday royalty will appreciate being able to customize their recipe and experiment with various jams and food colorings.

Uncommon Goods

Includes: sweet rice flour, potato starch, matcha green tea powder, cocoa powder, dough cutter, silicone mochi mold, and step-by-step instructions. (Makes up to 32 pieces.)

Promising review: "This was so much fun! I gifted this to my husband, and he was so excited. It was so much easier to make than anticipated, required almost nothing additional to the recipe, and tasted SO SO GOOD!! Would absolutely order again! Mochi is now a staple in our house; we're experimenting with adding jams to the dough!" —Chrissy

Price: $37

20. A 15-piece gourmet oil dipping spice kit for the internationally-minded chef in your life who is always looking for an otherworldly kick.  

Uncommon Goods

Includes: minced garlic, basil, marjoram, air-dried tomatoes, savory, rosemary, sea salt, za'atar blend, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, chili pepper flakes, herbs de Provence blend, smoked paprika, and sesame seeds.

Promising review: "Beautifully packaged and it smells great. I am giving it as a gift, but I love it so much I ordered another." —JanJan

Price: $45

21. A "crafting for your cat" guide, filled with 25 excellent, feline-friendly projects for them to make — because the Venn diagram overlap of cat lovers and DIY simply cannot be ignored. 

Uncommon Goods

Price: $25

22. A Wi-Fi–enabled literary clockthat displays a new, handpicked book excerpt every minute — a sneakily ingenious way to get your well-read friend reading and appreciating literature even more without being fully conscious of it. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "It was a delight to see my friend open the box and explore the clock. Since he received it, he said he has had a hard time not watching it continually. It is such a clever idea. It looks great on a shelf and is just the right size. Very happy with this purchase. It was the perfect gift!" —Co

Price: $209+ (available in a standard or large size) 

23. Upcycled therapeutic heat pillows filled with cherry pits from Michigan orchards, resulting in efficient cold/hot therapy for your physically active friend who could use some whimsical relief from their aches and pains.

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "This heating pillow is comfortable, smells good, holds the heat well, and my husband just discovered how nice it is, so I am buying two more :)" —Maggie

Price: $32 (available in six styles)

24. A cozy cotton "word search" throw blanketyou can customize for them with up to 15 words that describe them or bring to mind shared inside jokes. The world is your oyster. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "I polled the family to come up with words that described the birthday girl. Those words I had put in the blanket. The company was so easy to work with and were able to circle all the words, making it easier for the retired birthday girl to see. I highly recommend this product. Great quality too." —jivy ivy

Price: $175 (available in three colors)

25. An "emotional support desk pet" crafted from reclaimed rubberwood because adults should be able to enjoy the charm of play sets too — especially adults afflicted with corporate stress. 

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "Great quality. Even though marked for [younger] ages, it's a lot of fun to have on anyone's desk or anywhere in one's house where one sits. It brings a smile [to my face] just looking at it, and it's a great distraction and calming activity. It begs one to pick the pieces up and rearrange them. Very fun." —Midwest Mom

Price: $17+ (available with five different animals) 

26. A set of handmade shower steamersso they can turn the humdrum of their weekday routine into an exciting aromatherapy adventure (with 12 different fizzing aromas to indulge in).

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "I didn't realize I was sending a spa experience! This gift is simple, fun, and universally loved. I sent it to my family, and it was a huge hit —they loved both the idea and the packaging. There's so much variety, and they said their morning showers felt like stepping into a steaming eucalyptus sauna, and morning coffee — It's the kind of gift that always feels special, and it's perfect for anyone." —Lorie

Price: $60 (for 12 individually wrapped cubes) 

27. A "dad-joke-a-day" coffee mug that includes a scannable QR code for them to unlock a new groan-worthy joke each day to torture their loved ones.

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "This is such a fun gift. Yes, we all have many mugs, but there's nothing like a mug that brings laughter to the kitchen every morning... well, sometimes there are groans and eye-rolls, but that is standard for dad jokes too! Great gift for the dad who 'doesn't need anything' and sends back most gifts. How can you refuse a joke a day?!" —Frannie

Price: $30

28. A personalized Oscars history book (featuring 250+ pages of original Oscars coverage from 1929 to the present), because "Christmas for cinephiles" is only a few months away, and it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate both occasions at once. 

Uncommon Goods

Price: $100

Still searching for the perfect gift? Check out:

* Little Gifts Under $20 To Let Someone Know You Thought About Them

* Interesting, Unique, And Straight-Up Bizarre Gifts To Bestow Upon Your Fellow Weirdos

* These 29 Fun Products Were Born To Be The Perfect Gifts

* Cheap Gifts You Can Have On Hand For Birthdays That Sneak Up On You

* If Your Kid’s Moving Into Their Very First Apartment, These 34 Gifts Are *Perfect* For The Occasion

Plus, cheese subscription boxes and finds from the Disney Store, Nordstrom and Uncommon Goods.

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