Latest news with #BookNook
The Courier
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Stirling Book Nook closed as major renovation gets underway
The Book Nook, a popular cafe and book shop on Stirling's Upper Craigs, has closed temporarily for renovations. The existing shopfront is being upgraded, with wooden doors and windows replacing the original metal ones. Work began on Monday, May 5, and is expected to continue throughout the week. It is hoped The Book Nook will reopen as normal on Saturday, May 10. The shop's update is an effort to increase the cafe's accessibility, while also 'making it look a bit more traditional', according to its co-owners. Leanne Brown and Jasmine Stenhouse opened The Book Nook together in 2020 after graduating from the University of Stirling, blending their love of books and coffee into a business. Leanne told The Courier: 'I've never really liked the shopfront the way that it was. 'Book shops tend to be a bit traditional and our frontage was just all single-glazed glass and heavy security doors. 'So, I'm very excited for it to get finished.' The new shopfront will be painted in a light green colour to match the bookshelves that line the interior of the building. 'In the past, it got really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter because of the single glazing and that then was contributing to a horrible condensation and mould problem,' explained Leanne. 'Now I'm hoping to plant a lot of wildflowers outside that will bloom in the summer and look lovely. 'I have a lovely vision in my head and I think it's going to be beautiful, so I really hope it comes to fruition.' The Book Nook is a popular study spot for students and members of the public, who can select from the cafe's wide range of new and second-hand books. Its renovations are being funded through the Supercharged Shopfront Improvement Scheme, provided by Go Forth Stirling, and the Premises Improvement Grant from Stirling Council. The grants are intended to support the growth of local businesses, while also improving aspects like energy efficiency and the appeal of the building.
BBC News
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Quentin Blake to draw L.S. Lowry for new exhibition in Salford
A free family exhibition celebrating the work of one of the country's most popular writers and illustrators, Quentin Blake, is to open in Greater Blake and Me, which will feature his famous drawings including the BFG and Matilda, will take place at the Lowry at The Quays in Salford from 19 July until 4 January next is part of the Lowry's 25th anniversary season and will also feature the artist's special drawing of Salford artist L.S. Lowry. Blake said an exhibition at such a special site was "wonderful", adding that it was "an extra pleasure" to be invited to make drawings of Lowry himself. 'Magic and adventure' The exhibition, which will also feature interactive games and opportunities for visitors to write and draw their own stories, will be curated by the Lowry in collaboration with the artist and his for his distinctive and humorous style, Blake has written or illustrated more than 500 books, including working with authors including Roald Dahl, Michael Rosen and David Walliams. His illustrations have brought to life some of the most beloved characters in children's fiction from The BFG to Mr said the "magic and adventure" of Quentin Blake would not be confined to the exhibition space. There will be free activities taking place across the will include storytelling sessions with Angelica Sprocket and her never-ending pockets, portrait sessions with local artists and creative activities in family space The will also get chance to delve into some of Blake's best-loved works in the Book Nook. Blake said: "It's wonderful to be given such a generous and imaginative exhibition in such a special site."It was an extra pleasure to be invited to make drawings of Lowry himself. "It's also very good that visitors to the show are invited to draw and I look forward to seeing some of the results."Michael Simpson, director of visual arts at Lowry, said: "We are delighted Quentin has been so supportive and generous and, like us, he wants children and their families to come and have a great time and do plenty of drawing and writing themselves." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Buzz Feed
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
27 Gifts From Uncommon Goods If You Want To Be Remembered As A Great Gift-Giver By Your Family
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. From your cat-loving cousin to your gardening grandparent, here's what to get every single person in your family. 1. A set of mistaken lyrics coasters perfect for the family member who cannot exist without having the radio on at all times and has a killer sense of humor. Each of these cork coasters is emblazoned with the lyrics of a well-known earworm…except... not quite. In the immortal words of TLC: Don't call Jason Waterfalls. I gave the classic rock set to my dad, to whom I owe basically my entire sense of musical taste, as a holiday gift several years ago. They were, in fact, a big, BIG hit. I dare you to look at these and not laugh. I DOUBLE dare you. Promising review: 'Perfect gift! These make gifting SO EASY! Repeat customer here...I went with Greatest Hits for a team gift and boy were they a hit! Unique, fun, and great quality. I've also purchased these previously for holiday gifts for family.' — Robin 2. A Book Nook reading valet that'll make sure your bookworm of a grandparent never loses their place again. Not only that, but this gorgeous acacia wood stand also has a cup holder for a favorite beverage, room to rest a pair of reading glasses, and even a spot to keep phones and other distractions out of sight. Shhhhh. They're just getting to the good part. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Didn't know I needed this, but I did! This is so much more than a book stand and page saver! It provides a single spot for all the things we tend to surround ourselves with while reading. No more do I search for my glasses or coffee cup and I always know where my phone is when I read. Perfect retirement 'gift to self.'' — Besserk 3. A create-your-own-video-game set, if you've got a gamer in your family who's also a bit of a tinkerer. This neat-o kit includes everything they'll need to build their own handheld console — and get them started programming their own games. (Or they can just download some beloved classics if they'd prefer. It works either way!) Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Great gift! Got way more than expected from this 'toy.' The recipient explained all the options and quality of it and jumped right into programming a maze game with a Pikachu character. They said the tutorial is super easy to follow, endless options, and fun! ' — Gifter 4. A Murder Most Puzzling jigsaw puzzle to give even the cleverest of puzzle-solvers a challenge. Not merely a put-the-pieces-together-and-voila puzzle, each of these picks — there are two to choose from — comes with a story and a ~mystery~. Then, after the 500-piece puzzle is fully assembled, your Poirot-esque parental unit will get to deduce precisely what happened from the completed image to crack the case. How diabolical! Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Must-have!! Fun, relaxing, with an unexpected surprise! This item was a gift for my wife! She loved it! The unique, decorative, mysterious packaging was what caught my eye. We spent quality time together on the first puzzle, was quiet, relaxing, and fun!! We spent about three evenings on the first puzzle. We didn't know what the image was going to be until the end. Why do I keep saying the first puzzle? I bought the second one as well!! (A month later.) I recommend buying both at once! The second purchase was part of Valentine's Day to spend more quality time with my wife! Wife loves the book look packaging and looks great on our shelf.' — Unique Gift Shopper 5. A 'roll to decide' adventure storybook, so you can on-ramp the littles in your fam to future DnD or TTRPG fun when they get a little older. This delightful storybook has them guiding Briar the elf through an exciting and perilous journey, with each step of the tale determined by a judicious roll of the dice. They'll be rolling for initiative in no time. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'This was a big HIT! Got this as a gift for my niece, and she absolutely adored it!!! The number of options for each dice roll will ensure that she can read it repeatedly! It's a game and a story-building tool all in one.' — Liz 6. A soothing mental health embroidery kit just right for your craftiest and/or most anxious cousin. (Hey, sometimes the Venn diagram between those two things is just, y'know, a circle!) This kit provides everything they'll need to make one of two beautiful designs — and they'll get a lovely message of support from you, as well. Awwww. Uncommon Goods Promising review: ' Easy, therapeutic, and beautiful! I loved everything about this gift! The fact that it was a present from my bestie living states away, the ease of the kit (including everything you need!), the beautiful design, and the therapeutic rhythm of embroidering. Thank you!' — Liz 7. An illuminated 'doodle pillowcase' that'll give your favorite young artist a never-ending canvas to exercise their creative muscles. The blank space in the middle of the pillowcase reacts to light; just drawing on it with the included light pen — or any other flashlight-like light source — will result in a luminescent doodle that will glow for around five minutes. Then, after it fades, they can start all over again! Promising review: 'Love this! Bought it for my 5-year-old daughter as a stocking stuffer — she LOVES it! She's taken to staying up a bit in her room at bedtime if she's not tired and this was the perfect thing for her to do quietly in the dark. And the best part is she's practicing her writing, drawing, even doing math problems. One of the best gifts this year! ' — Tara 8. A 'travel challenges' card deck, to spice up your globe-trotting brethren's travels. The 50 cards in this deck all hold one unique activity they can use to challenge themself in how they explore that day. It'll open up what traveling means for even the most experienced of trip-goers. Uncommon Goods 9. Or a personalized National Parks scratch-off poster, if your adventurous sibling has made it their life's goal to hike through every National Park in the United States. With each visit, they can scratch off the corresponding spot on the poster to reveal a beautiful miniature illustration of that park by artist Alyssa Kauanoe. 10. A set of cryptid construction magnets for your cuz who's just, uh, super into weird stuff. (Hi, hello, it's me, I am that relative!) Imagine a classic Magnetic Poetry kind of situation, except instead of odd sentences and unusual turns of phrases, these mix-and-match magnetic bodies, heads, wings, horns, and more let your favorite oddball create all kinds of odd monsters and unusual creatures. Hours of fun? Heck yes. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Heavy duty, bright, and high quality — I would buy this again! My son-in-law (who has everything) absolutely loved this gift. He is a fun and quirky guy and plans to use it daily with his 21-year-old nephew who lives with him and his 8-year-old son. They all have a great sense of humor and couldn't wait to get it home and on their refrigerator.' — Andi 11. A 'Find My Behind' memory-matching game that'll have your niblings and their parents rolling with laughter. Because I mean… butts. Butts are always funny, no matter how old you get. And they're even funnier when you're trying to match, say, the front end of a squid with the back end of a baboon. A gag gift, perhaps, but one that will undoubtedly be appreciated by recipients of all ages nonetheless. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'So funny and cute! I bought this matching game for my two nephews (5 and 4 years old). They love being silly and playing games together, so I thought a matching game would be perfect since they could play it independently. The fact that it was animals and it came with a built-in joke (butts) made it even better! When my sister got it in the mail, she said that she couldn't think of a better present for them! ' — Auntie Aubrie 12. A draw-your-own-comic-book kit sure to thrill the budding graphic novel fan in your family. Not only will they get to write and illustrate their very own comic book, but they'll also get to hold it, published and bound, in their own little hands when it's done. Bam! Pow! Amazing! Promising review: 'My 13-year old daughter loves it!! I thought this was great idea when I saw it on your website, and I bought it as a Valentine's gift for my 13-year old daughter, who is a budding artist. She loves it, and can't wait to see her comic book in print!! ' — Lauren 13. A seed-saving kit, so your gardening grandparent will have the tidiest, most organized way to keep track of their gathered seeds. Whether they're a windowsill gardener or someone who's got loads of raised beds out back, they'll get tons of use out of this kit — and they'll also think of you each time their garden sprouts a new bloom! Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Perfect gift for the avid gardener! I purchased this for a dear friend recovering from shoulder surgery, who also is a master gardener. Currently unable to garden, she uses her kit to organize previously gathered seeds in order to prepare for and plan her fall garden. She raves about how using the kit is improving her mood while healing, helping her dream of her future gardening endeavors, and staving off boredom in the meantime! Thank you!!' — Violet 14. A 'Mercury retrograde protection' candle because your astrology enthusiast auntie could definitely use something like this when everything feels a little…off. Soothing lavender, chamomile, and crystals (including blue kyanite and quartz stud) sit at the top of this beautiful candle, providing lots of calming vibes over its considerable burn time (60–80 hours). Breathe in…breathe out…There. Much better. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'I've already bought a second one! I got one of these candles as a gift two years ago and burned the whole thing (lasted way longer than I expected). I liked it so much I ordered another one for myself, AND tracked down the artisan and ordered several other candles from her personal shop. It has a lovely earthy smell that will make any space feel cozy without being overpowering, and it seems to create some good vibes as well.' — Jill 15. A treasure-hunt-in-a-box tabletop game that will utterly transform family game night. Part role-playing game and part home scavenger hunt, Madok's Interactive Treasure Hunt will allow up to four players to take on the roles of a team of swashbucklers set on unearthing a priceless pirate treasure. Yo ho ho and all that! Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Great idea for a group! I bought this mystery game for us to do with the family over Christmas. My grown kids don't have much to do in our very small town, and it's not like I can arrange play dates anymore!! Everyone really got into the story, and it really needed all of us to solve. I'll absolutely purchase another for our holiday next year.' — Mom 16. A clever tea mug, because we all have at least one family member who always, without fail, answers the door with a soothing 'I'll put the kettle on, dear,' right? More than just a beautiful piece of handmade stoneware, it's also got a cute little pocket perfect for stashing used tea bags in. Just, y'know, in case they can't get to a bin immediately. Or if they just can't bear to throw a bag away without having gotten at least three cups of gradually weakening tea out of it. We all have our foibles. Uncommon Goods 17. A color-in snuggle buddy for the creative kiddo who also loves to cuddle. This soft, stuffed bear comes with 10 double-sided fabric markers for them to unleash their most colorful impulses — and even better, both the bear and the markers are washable, so after a trip through the washer, it'll be all ready to color in again. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Great for any kid that loves to color! This item was so cute. I bought it for two of my nieces and they both instantly went to work coloring them in and loved them. ' — Aunt Lauren 18. An 'Is Your Cat Trying To Kill You?' card game, because even the most ardent of cat people know that their cats are, in fact, always — always — secretly plotting their demise. Your cat-loving cousin absolutely needs a card-based checklist aimed at helping them figure out precisely how fiendish their own fuzzy friend is. Trust me. (Source: Me; my cat is a maniac.) Uncommon Goods 19. Or, a deck of 'How To Speak Dog' cards, if your family's resident animal lover is more of a dachshund devotee than a calico enthusiast. Packed with 100 cards full of tidbits about behaviors and breeds, this fun little deck will help them decode and read their furry companion's every mood. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Such a great gift! Friend recently got a new puppy (her first dog!) and loved this as a pupwarming gift. She said it was 'perfect.' Very fun idea for a new dog parent.' — Anna 20. A recycled wine bottle serving platter for the relative who always hosts ALL the big family gatherings. There's even an included cheese knife made out of the bottle's cork! Family reunion weekend is going to have one heck of a charcuterie board this year. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'It's a unique and well-made item. Very cute too! This is a great gift idea for a family wine lover! He loved it and looks forward to serving cheese on it at our next wine get-together. ' — Betschind Price: $24 (available in two colors) 21. An 'instant spa' set to soothe your stressed-out sibling and remind them that it's okay to take some time for themself! This ultra-relaxing box is packed with lavender-infused self-care treats ranging from shower steamers to body butter that'll treat them to a calming day of chill. The gift of relaxation is truly one for the books. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Great gift for her! Bought this as a gift for someone special, the scent alone after opening let me know it was worth it. Rave reviews on everything included in the set, perfect gift idea! ' — KR Price: $55 22. A set of pickleball paddle earrings that'll make the day of your loved one who has recently discovered they live, breathe, and bleed pickleball. These super cute earrings let them wear their love for the sport right on their ears — and who knows? Maybe they'll even help them connect with other pickleball players! Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Absolutely adorable! These earrings are a winner!! As a pickleball fanatic, I knew I had to have these. I loved them so much, I purchased a pair for a pickleball friend as a gift, and she loved them, too! ' — Mander Price: $34+ (available in gold or silver) 23. A homemade limoncello-making kit for your sib who studied abroad in Italy and still talks about it to this very day. (Yes, years later. It was a formative experience, after all!) This kit includes all the equipment needed to brew up a batch of the bright, lemony liqueur — just add the ingredients — and in no time, they'll be sipping their favorite digestivo and reminiscing about those beautiful Tuscan sunsets. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Awesome gift and homemade limoncello! This limoncello kit was a gift for my dad for Father's Day. He had been wanting to try making limoncello for a while, and this was perfect to start, since it includes everything necessary to make it! The packaging has the instructions printed right on it and really simple — perfect for anyone to give it a try. The supplies included are wonderful and will definitely hold up to plenty of use. I highly recommend this kit!' — Shannon Price: $55 24. Or, a Killer Cocktails recipe book to spice up your true crime podcast-obsessed grandparent's next happy hour. From the hosts of the Criminalia podcast, Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi, this clever little book packs tons of knowledge along with recipes for loads of delicious cocktails and mocktails. You're never too old for a good sip 'n' learn! Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Excellent mocktails, too! Great and fascinating book and recipes, but also 10/10 for providing so many mocktail options throughout! Got this as a present for a friend who's hoping to have a child in the next year and that made it an extra perfect present.' — Gracie Price: $29 25. A pair of personalized hometown map glasses for your geographically-minded cousin who has deep, deep ties to their hometown — whether it's the one they grew up in or the one they adopted later in life. If where they're from is a huge part of their personality, they'll definitely get a kick out of being able to enjoy their favorite beverages out of a glass etched with a map depicting it — right down to their very own street. Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Fun gift! I bought a set of the wine glasses for my brother and sister-in-law who live in Aiken, SC. First, I was thrilled I could select Aiken, because it isn't a huge city. They loved them — were even able to find the street where they live on the glasses. This is such a fun, personal gift. I'm thinking of doing more of these next year.' — Great Sister Price: $54 (available in three glass types) 26. A history-by-mail subscription that'll bring your history buff uncle's obsession to life — literally. Every month for a set period of time, they'll receive a letter— in the actual! mail! — with a reproduction of an actual primary document along with tons of contextual info about an event of historical and/or cultural significance. Who doesn't want to receive, say, letters from Albert Einstein's personal correspondence in the mail? Uncommon Goods Fun fact: If you know and love someone who's kind of a perpetual student even if they've been out of school for years, these by-mail subscription services are also available for some highly specific interests, such as National Parks history, sports history, and — my personal favorite — urban legends. Promising review: 'Excellent gift! I'm always looking for something different, especially for our adult family members. We got this subscription for our nephew, who is just starting his career as a history teacher. He was really excited about it and shared it with another teacher already. ' — The lover of history Price: $42+ (available in 6-, 12-, or 24-month subscriptions and four volumes) 27. And finally, a hilarious tea towel or two your favorite birding enthusiast relative will not be able to stop laughing over. What? They're just birds. Y'know. Long-tailed tits. Blue-footed boobies. Get your mind out of the gutter, Aunt Mabel. (*wink wink nod nod*) Uncommon Goods Promising review: 'Incredible! Well-loved, hilarious gift. Purchased as a gift for my mother for Christmas — was a hit with her and the entire family. Will be coming back to purchase more for future presents. Great size, quality, and texture!' — Fowl Lover Price: $16 per tea towel (available in two designs) Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
29 Uncommon Goods Gifts That'll Make Them Say 'Whoa, Where Did You Find That?"
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Because shopping for gifts should be uncommonly fun, not uncommonly stressful. 1. An adorable, weighted emotional support sloth because whether they're 5 or 105, they're gonna love the feeling of snuggling up with this comforting, hefty little guy. Plus, his 4.5 pounds of inner nontoxic glass beads are removable, so he can be machine washed! Promising reviews:"Got this for a family member who now uses it every night. People in my family now think higher of me because of this purchase." — Jack "My daughter and I both love our sloth Hugimal. She uses it for comfort during bedtime and I use it while relaxing on the couch. It's great that our Hugimal is soothing for all ages, adults and kids, and everyone in our family uses and benefits from it. The quality of the plush and the fact that it is machine washable make it worth every penny." — Lauren 2. A Book Nook reading valet to hold their spot in their latest read along with their mug of tea, glasses, and phone. Everyone needs a book butler, and they'll love you forever for bringing one into their life! Promising review:" This was a holiday gift to myself and I love it. It's so pretty, and the details are cute, like the words inscribed on the front and back. It has been occupied by my book and tea basically since it arrived. I always know where my book is sitting and I don't have to go hunt for a bookmark anymore. I'm not sure if being pressed open constantly is good for the book, but I didn't notice any issues with my very large, very heavy fantasy novel that spent a few weeks there. Highly recommend it!" — The Avid Reader 3. A soapstone animal carving kit for the aspiring Ron Swansons in your life who want to try their hand at some truly cool (and uncommon!) DIY. Perfect for crafters of all ages, so long as they can hold up at least eight fingers when you ask their age. Tap to play GIF Uncommon Goods Each kit comes with everything needed to create a soapstone sculpture, including a precut stone, kid-safe carving file, sandpaper, polishing wax, and buffing cloth. Features a simple five-step guide to make carving fun and accessible for beginners. 4. A tiny tarot deck necklace that you don't need the gift of divination to know they'll love. If they have Polly Pocket in their childhood lore and/or are tarot curious, this gift will work like a charm. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"This is such a beautiful little treasure! It's much smaller than expected, like maybe an inch tall, but its details are fine, beautiful, and quality-crafted. The Tarot Cards are an exact replica of the original, traditional set and are so special. It's truly the perfect gift for anyone who loves a unique, beautiful jewelry piece." — Buddha Bliss 5. A personalized mixtape pillow so you can remind them of times gone by and the bright, musical future ahead with a gift that is as sentimental as it is comfy. Uncommon Goods 6. A couch caddy if they're constantly searching in the couch cushions for the remote or spilling their beverage. Who needs a side table when you can give them the gift of everything right beside their elbow? Uncommon Goods Promising review:" I love the design of this. It looks great, seems to be made well, and it works perfectly. When I first ordered this, I wasn't sure how well it would stay on the arm of the couch, but t he nonslip material is so good, you can't just slide it on the armrest, you actually need to lift it to move it. Works great, looks great, and I would highly recommend to anyone that (like me) doesn't have room for a side table." — NC 7. A girl's-girl tote bag all about women supporting women and making GREAT THINGS happen. Help the feminist in your life lighten the load with this hardy cotton canvas tote that will truly be the gift that keeps on giving. 8. A pack of eight Sesame Street glowing bath time cubes for the littles in your life who have a healthy obsession with the street where air is sweet and bath toys to match! Uncommon Goods Promising reviews:"Perfect for a lovely bath time with my grandbaby. She just loves the lights!:)" — Nanny "I loved that these are Sesame Street. I have bought these for other family and friends. Always a hit." — Julie the Giftologist 9. A handmade acoustic frog amplifying phone speaker as quirky as it is useful. They'll adore having a little friend to hang out with on the shelf who can do them a solid by helping blast their fave good vibes playlist. Uncommon Goods 10. A cast-iron garlic roaster I'm literally salivating just looking at because I can smell how much the foodie in your life will love this gift. BRB, putting it directly in my cart for my grill-obsessed dad. Uncommon Goods 11. A set of guide birds so the lover of whimsy can get the most bird for your gift-giving buck. With a hand-painted bird for each day of the week and an accompanying key to explain their meanings, this is another crowd-pleasing gift you'll want on hand for a myriad of humans in your life. Uncommon Goods Each colorful bird corresponds to an inspirational word, like joy, courage, and generosity, and is meant to provide positive guidance for your days. Promising reviews:"These are adorable! My wife loves them. They're well-made and meaningful. I'm really pleased with them. Thank you." — smith1510 "Exactly what I was hoping — gave to my mom for Mother's Day. She loves them so much that she even travels with them. Very cute and colorful. Seemed sturdy when I held them out of the box, too. Great gift for the person who has everything!" — Michelle in MI 12. A weighted relaxation hoodie if they are always trying to improve their relaxation and nap games, and you want to lend them a solid, cozy assist. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"I bought this for my partner, who has loved weighted blankets in the past. This hoodie was a HUGE hit. He thinks it's cozy and relaxing; I've even caught him sleeping in it. No notes, just makes me want one of my own!" — MLT 13. A set of eight hanging appetizer boards for their famous get-togethers and charcuterie boards. (A PERFECT gift for the always-host of your friend group or fam!) 14. A glass encased orchid that's maintenance free, ideal for the friend who always manages to unintentionally unalive their house plants. Kept at a stable temp, this little beauty will thrive all on its own and give them the gift of greenery in their home without the stress of caring for it. It is an actual living, self-growing orchid that thrives without watering or feeding, thanks to its unique "plant tissue culture technology." The glass dome creates a stable environment, so never open it! All you have to do is make sure the orchid receives regular indirect light, avoids direct sunlight, and remains in an environment of 50–85 degrees. Promising reviews:"This is truly a stunning product! I love that it's a living plant that requires no watering. I'm excited to watch it grow over time." — Paige "I'm very impressed with my order and thrilled with my orchid purchase. The item matched the description perfectly and was well-packaged for shipping. I will definitely order here again!" — Amanda 15. A delightfully colorful repurposed sari carryall bag capable of holding alllll their stuff, and looking good while doing it! Uncommon Goods Each bag is one of a kind and handwoven with upcycled sari fabric and jute. Promising review:" Gave this as a gift this Christmas, and they loved it! Great quality and beautifully made. Would definitely purchase another one!" — SF3 16. A wooden flower bouquet-building kit for craft enthusiasts and newbies alike who would appreciate a truly everlasting bouquet. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"I gave this to my mom as a gift. It is so sweet and enjoyable to put together: Harder to figure out than expected, but she got it. It was joyful to give a gift that was an activity and then put it in a small vase and she is enjoying seeing it daily. I love to find surprising, fun gifts at Uncommon Goods!" — CNF123 17. A digital camera FOR KIDS I personally endorse as my tornado of a child has had it for over a year now, and this thing looks as good and works as well as the day we bought it. It can be connected to your computer to upload photos, has ~adorable~ stickers and frames in the in-camera editing software, and is generally a delight. It's worth noting that some reviewers take issue with the photo quality (which I actually find to have a charming early 2000s digital camera vibe), but I'll take durability over photo quality any day where kids are concerned! Promising review:"My 5-year-old received this camera as a Christmas gift. Imagine my surprise when he told us he didn't want to play with his other Christmas gifts. Instead, he asked to learn how to use it and then walked around our house taking pictures and videos of everything and everyone. This camera is easy for him to hold and control, and he has used it every day since. My only criticism is that the quality of the images on the screen is blurry (although my son hasn't said a word about it). For a first camera, it's perfect." — Kate H 18. A pair of wooden long-distance friendship lamps for the fam and besties separated by miles but not by the desire to lovingly pester from afar. If you wish you could go into their rooms and flick the lights on and off just to show your love, this is the perfect gift for them and you. Uncommon Goods Keep one for yourself and give the other to your long-distance friend/family member/partner and every time one of you taps the lamp, the other one lights up, too! It can even be used with groups, as you can assign different colors so each person gets their own special hue! Promising reviews:"I purchased this as a gift for my therapist and his granddaughter, whom he loves above and beyond all people. I can't imagine a sweeter gift that enables each person to show the other person that they are in their thoughts and hearts." — Mel the Human " I have owned these for two years, shared with my best friend in another state. Beautiful look and never a connectivity issue. I have even moved twice with it, and it's always easy to set back up. Nothing brings me more joy than to see it on and think of my friend." — Jennibean 19. A little mushroom garden hedgehog"rumored to bring delight wherever it's found," and you know what? We'll take all the gosh darn delight we can get in 2025, especially when it comes to little gifts. Adding this to my cart and my heart. (Whether I can bear to part with it or it ends up as a self-gift remains to be seen.) Uncommon Goods 20. And a hedgehog watering can the gardener in your life will be thrilled to use because it's A) functional and B) cute as heck. Uncommon Goods Promising reviews:" I'm so excited to give this to my sister for Christmas. It will look great in her garden." — Chelebabe "This silly little guy is so cute that even if it barely worked as a watering can, I would still recommend it. Made me so happy when I unboxed it that I couldn't help laughing until I cried. Gave it to my mom for Christmas, and she also laughed so hard she cried. Worth it!!!" — terry town 21. A nitro cold brew coffee maker that caffeine snobs of all levels will rejoice to have in their kitchen. It's easy to use for coffee and to froth up teas, matcha, and even cocktails. Plus, it'll look great on their counter! Uncommon Goods Promising review:"This was the perfect gift for my coffee-loving husband. It was easy to set up and use with the instructions provided. The replacement parts to make more batches still keep our coffee costs well below budget and what we would pay going to a coffee shop." — Sam B 23. A roll-to-play forest adventure book if you're trying to get the tiny humans in your life prepped to join your D&D campaign when they get a little older. Similar to a choose-your-own-adventure book, each roll of the dice leads to a different story outcome. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"Got this as a gift for my niece, and she absolutely adored it!!! The amount of options for each roll of the dice will ensure that she can read it again and again! It's a game and a story-building tool all in one." — Liz 24. A pair of charming otter keychains because they *otta* know you're the best gift giver around, but if they don't, they will when you give them these friendship keychains. Uncommon Goods Promising reviews:"I bought these for my recently engaged friends. They are well made and super cute! My friends love animals and it made the perfect little gift! Would get them again for other couples based on the reaction they received." — Sue "This was adorable and expressed my sentiments perfectly after 19 years of marriage. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the perfect way to say I love you to a man who already has everything." — Whit 25. A two-pack of charming banana-saving hats because who doesn't wish their bananas would stay ~fresh~ longer? (While serving fresh looks, if you know what I mean.) Uncommon Goods Promising reviews:"I got these for my husband for Christmas. He loved them and got a kick out of them. He's using them and loves them." — AuntD "I'm giving these as a gift, but am seriously considering getting them for myself — they are so cute!" — LAGirl 26. A swiveling tea organizer so they can stop fumbling around with the 500 boxes of tea in their cabinet and instead twirl their way to some cozy organization. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"My tea shelf used to be full of small boxes piled on top of each other. Then I saw this item and hemmed and hawed about whether or not to purchase it. SO GLAD I DID! This is a lot roomier than I expected, and each face can hold upwards of 35 teabags. The little frame on the side where you can put a representative bag from what is in that stack is perfect. Plus, it swivels, so it doesn't take up a ton of space, but every flavor is right at hand. The top comes off for top-loading of teabags. Perfect!" — Bobzwyfe 27. A Le Sigh tee that the sass-filled person in your life will likely roll their eyes at when they open, but you know will become their fave part of their weekly shirt rotation. Uncommon Goods Promising review:" Got this as a gift for my husband as this is something he says regularly when exasperated with our children. 😆 Color and fit were just as described. Fabric is reasonably soft but not thin. 👍" — Kendra 28. A pop-up lemon tree greeting card too pretty to be *just* a card: It's a standing display that has reviewers properly wowed! If you're looking for the perfect card or a quirky little gift that can stand all on its own, look no further! Uncommon Goods 29. And finally, a secret message bracelet they can fill with their own meaningful message or you can fill with yours. Whether you want to write words of encouragement or the inside joke that always makes them snort, this gift is your oyster! Uncommon Goods Promising review:"This product met my expectations. It is boxed well and is a fun, unique gift." — KLSullivan "This is a great gift for oneself and others. It is a wonderful way to create clarity on what matters. The 'word' and intent aspect is beautiful and individualized." — Ray Price: $48 (available in five styles) The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
