This post is sponsored by UncommonGoods. We (The Newlywed Chefs) were provided with the products in this blog post as compensation. As always, all opinions are our own.

This summer, Neil and I will have been married for SEVEN YEARS. What the what! I can’t believe that it’s already been that long. Usually, on anniversaries, we buy something for the two of us that is really… well… practical.

“That tree needs to come down in the back yard! Happy Anniversary!”

“I really need a new work bag! Happy Anniversary!”

“My computer died and I need a new one STAT. Happy Anniversary!”

However, we DO like to buy gifts year round that really make us think of each other. It doesn’t have to be Christmas, a birthday, or anniversary. Lucky for us, we have a great place to get some gift giving ideas year-round from a place that is open 24/7: UncommonGoods. On their site, you will find unique jewelry, designer decor, tabletop items, and handcrafted gifts created without harm to animals or people.

There are many things I love about this company, but here are a few highlights (information directly from the UncommonGoods one sheet):

• UncommonGoods is independently owned, which gives them the freedom to support causes they believe in and impact the world in a positive way. With every purchase you make, they donate $1 to the non-profit of YOUR choice. Since they’ve started this Better to Give program 12 years ago, they’ve donated over one million dollars to charities around the world. Awesome.
• They are a B Corporation. That means they use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. They meet a rigorous standard on a wide range of issues, including wage levels, environmental impact, and giving back to the community.
• UncommonGoods CEO Dave Bolotsky is passionate about the role of business in implementing a fair minimum wage. They run all operations out of the historic Brooklyn Army Terminal, where the lowest-paid seasonal worker starts at 50% above the minimum wage.

We ordered a few items from their anniversary gift line. You can check out gifts from that collection here. First, we ordered a beautiful Oval Oak Wine Carafe. Not only do we love using this to decant wine, but it also just makes for a great decoration around our kitchen when it’s not in use.

This carafe is also listed on their “Anniversary Gifts for Him” page which you can find here. (Is it just me, or is buying gifts for guys harder than buying gifts for girls? Glad they have some recommendations!)

Next, we ordered a Salts of the World Test Tube Set. Since we’re foodies we loved exploring the salts in this collection. I also really enjoy reading the bios of each gift maker. For example, these salts were made by “Brett,” who has a compelling background featured on the gift webpage.

Finally, this next gift is perfect for people that like to play with their food. It’s a Molecular Gastronomy Kit and cookbook featuring out of this world recipes and creative approaches to cuisine.

You can find these and other creative gifts all on the UncommonGoods webpage. They also have personalized gifts to add a unique individualized touch here.

Using the Molecular Gastronomy Kit, we made balsamic vinegar pearls and are planning on using them this week to top a plate of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. They were SO easy to make. We just froze oil for at least 30 minutes, boiled the balsamic vinegar with the provided agar agar, then piped the balsamic mixture into the oil.

Spoon out the pearls, rinse with water, and voila! Balsamic vinegar pearls!

Fancy!

No matter if it’s your birthday, anniversary, or just a Tuesday, you can find unique, creative, individualized gifts at UncommonGoods. We’ll be frequenting this site much more often and recommending it to friends who are stumped when it comes to finding the perfect gift.