As the years go by, I find buying gifts for the people I am closest to gets harder. I don’t know why because I tend to know what they like. But I want to ensure that I am always coming up with great ideas as well as unusual gifts which I know they will also use! There is nothing worse than giving a gift which might gather dust on the shelf. 

Step up Uncommon Goods. They work collaboratively with emerging designers, artisans from low-income countries and established artists to showcase their items on an online marketplace. This means they are able to connect makers and their creations with individuals looking for truly special goods, regardless of the physical distance between the maker and the shopper.

They recently gave me the opportunity to choose some items for my family. These are the goods I came up with.

Press and Measure Herb Infuser

My stepdad is a great cook. I have spent many mealtimes at my mums house where Ian has been in charge of the kitchen as my mum and I chat. He likes spicy food and enjoys making sure what he puts together has flavour. This glass bottle infuses the flavour of herbs into your oils. This makes it easier for even the most seasoned of chefs (see what I did there?!). Once the flavours are blended, you simply press the button and measure the proper amount for your food down to the teaspoon.

Whiskey Pen

Ross is probably the trickiest to buy for. He hates clutter and doesn’t like things he won’t use. I thought that this pen would suit him perfectly. He likes a tipple or two of whiskey and this clever pen is perfect for a connoisseur of a wee dram or two.  Merrie Buchsbaum’s caramel-hued pen is handmade with resin tinted and textured with hand-ground malted barley from a Tennessee distillery. It is infused with actual ingredients from the Bourbon belt. Each pen is individual and one-of-a-kind and comes in a beautiful maple wood gift box. 

Set of 4 Kebab Grilling Baskets 

Ross’ brother in law is the biggest barbecue enthusiast I know! We are always trying to come up with original ideas related to this for gifts. I think this has to be my favourite yet. These kebab grilling baskets are made from steel wire and have a rosewood handle. Each basket means that you can prepare separate dishes for everyone so you can cater to each individual taste. There’s no need to use a skewer, and the basket design means it is easy to turn them over.

Bike Six Pack Holder

Ross’ parents have a house in Spain but they have no car. This means that, when they are there, they cycle to the shops each day for their groceries. This means that this bike six pack holder is perfect for them. This bottle transporter attaches to the frame of your bike. Davidson Lewis was inspired by his high school job in a bike shop. Ever since he has been incorporating bicycle inner tubes back into distinctive cycling designs. The insulating carrier accommodates six bottles and includes a handle so you can also transport your refreshments on foot.

Microwave Popcorn Popper

My mum is Granny to 8 children so you can probably imagine that she regularly has each of them over to her house and is always having to cater to them. This Microwave popcorn popper is just the trick and very convenient. It is made from temperature safe borosilicate glass. The main container can be filled with whole kernel corn and then microwaved without the use of oil. To make things even more convenient, the silicone lid not only a kernel measurer  but also somewhere to melt your butter, ready to pour over the popped corn.

Avocado Tree Starter Kit – Set of 3

As I stated earlier in this post, my stepdad is a keen chef. He also is very good at making things and so, I thought that he would love the idea of growing his own avocados. All you need to do is insert the seed from your last avocado into the pod, float it in a water bath, and place it on your windowsill. Then wait until it starts to sprout. This expertly designed floating planter easily holds a toothpick flag to mark your progress from day one.

Avocado Huggers – Set of 2

If my stepdad is going to grow avocados, then my mum will need something to keep them fresh when he takes them round to her. In order to keep the other half fresh and intact the avocado hugger has two sizes to ensure that it caters for both large and small avocados. To make it easier, the pit pocket can be pushed in or out for the tightest possible seal. Made of BPA- and phthalate-free silicone.

Collar Perfect-Compact Travel and Touch-up Iron

One of the biggest issues Ross had when he went away on business this year was trying to get hold of an iron. Many of the hotels he stayed in stated that they had them on reception. However, he regularly had a problem when he requested one. With this compact travel iron, the problem is solved! It has 5 temperature settings and international power support. It’s unique, winged design means you can smooth creases in smaller areas and it rotates to offer a more traditional shape for when you want to cover a larger area. It also has a rotating power cord.

These gifts from Uncommon Goods all range in price from £6 – £30. You can find more of what they have to offer over on their website.

Disclosure: Thank you so much to Uncommon Goods for sending us these items. Please note that all words and opinions have been formed by the owner of this blog. They have not been influenced in any way. Please do not reproduce any of the content or images on this post without prior agreement from Verily Victoria Vocalises.