An Uncommon Gift Guide for Valentine's Day

I had so much fun putting together my Cleveland-themed holiday gift guide in December that I'm back with one for Valentine's Day! Much as I love my city, though, this one's not CLE-themed; rather, it's focused on some of the goodies I'm currently loving from Uncommon Goods quirky selection of V-Day gifts.We're just two weeks out from the holiday, so now's the time to plan. Got dinner reservations yet?

Part of my beef with the holiday of love is that people just get so darn cheesy, which is why I like Uncommon Goods. They sell, well, uncommon goods - with a social justice twist. The company believes it's their responsibility to use their business to impact the world in a positive way. Even their lowest paid workers starts at 50% above the minimum wage; most of their jewelry & home items are made in the U.S., & 1/3 of their products incorporate recycled/upcycled materials. I love a company with a commitment to global good!

Here a few of my favorite of their 300+ Valentine's Day items to get you thinking about the holiday:

1. For the bookworm: Talk about getting wrapped up a good book! These silk-screened cotton literary scarves let your favorite reader wear their love of classic literature around their necks. Choose from Jane Eyre, Alice in Wonderland, Wuthering Heights, or Pride & Prejudice. ($48) 
2. For the nostalgia lover: The "My Life Story - So Far" journal provides prompts for recording your life's experiences, relationships, & hard-won wisdom. This would be a great gift for parents and grandparents, guiding them in creating a lasting family keepsake. ($30)
3. For the home chef: Roll these foodie dice to see what's cooking! Five dice offer protein options, cooking methods, grain/carb selections, herb choices, & bonus ingredients; four additional dice offer seasonal veggies. That's 186,000 different meal combinations! ($24) 
4. For the classy wino: You've heard of whiskey stones, but what about wine pearls? These innovative chillers bring a glass of wine to its ideal sipping temperature. Chill your drink without altering or diluting its delicate flavors, you insufferable snob. ($24.95) 
5. For the city dweller: I love these "neighborwoods" drink coasters & hate that they don't offer a Cleveland version. If you live someplace else, though, celebrate your city with cedar coasters etched with your urban grid. European versions are available, too. ($36)
6. For the busy bee: Can't spend a day at an actual spa? Bring the spa home! This spa-in-a-bag kit includes body butter, body scrub, Dead Sea salts, & lip balm all made with natural beeswax & honey harvested at a Maryland apiary. ($70)
7. For the boozy hipster: How pretty are these black walnut martini glasses? There's no glass in them at all, in fact. They'd look gorgeous on display on your bar... & in your hand as you sip a dirty one at the end of a long day. ($122)

These seven items barely scratch the service of what's available from Uncommon Goods, whose selection of Valentine's Day gifts for women span five pages - so skip the chocolates & go for something uncommon. Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks to one of my favorite online shops, Uncommon Goods, for collaborating with me on this post.