In preparation for Valentine’s Day, we asked you to share your uncommon date stories. We expected to hear some tales of romance and a few funny anecdotes about dates gone wrong, but we had no idea we’d get so many great entries–making it pretty hard to pick just two winners.
In the end, after many “Aw, that’s SO sweet”s and plenty of chuckles, we decided on one date that we wished we could replicate and one we’d rather not.
So romantic. Welcome to the Valentine’s Day edition of Uncommon Knowledge—a place where we can talk about all the romantic things animals do for each other. For one, sea otters hold hands when they sleep. They do this mostly so they don’t drift away from their pals while they snooze on their backs in the water, but the result is true intimacy.
Another romantic gesture? Penguins will propose to new mates with a pebble. Many penguins assemble their nests out of pebbles, so really, it’s a way of offering their beloved a promise to build a home with them. Maybe we can follow suit and start replacing engagement rings with a nice adjustable rate mortgage?
Brolgas cranes, like most cranes, are monogamous and will mate with the same partner every year, typically at the same nesting spot. However, the brolgas know a thing or two about keeping the romance alive—no matter how many years they’ve been together, the brolgas will still court their mate with an intricate mating dance. Ooh la la!
Okay, let’s do some rapid-fire romance: Ready for a puppy fact? Male puppies will intentionally let female puppies win when they play-fight so they can get to know them better. Like seahorses? They’re monogamous and will hold each other’s tails when traveling.
Ain’t love grand?
The Happy Elephant | $68.00 – 150.00
Dinner and a movie is nice, but it’s not exactly the most original romantic outing. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, the same old date just doesn’t cut it–so we put together a collection of Uncommon Gifts for the Perfect Date Night. This got us thinking about some of the truly unusual date stories we’ve heard in the past and a social media contest was born!
Maybe your own most bizarre date ended up being a total disaster, but left you with a hilarious story. Maybe the tale of your most interesting date was just the start of a great love story. We want to know about the good, the bad, and totally off-the-wall. Tell us about your most #UncommonDate in the comments below or use the #UncommonDate hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for your chance to win one of the uncommon date packages featured in our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide.
Since teaming up with our friends at Mental_Floss last year to produce printable, trivia-packed party kits, we have had lots of fun introducing download-it-yourself gift tags, cheese tags, and holiday cards, available to you for FREE! For Valentine’s Day, we took this DIY assortment to the next level with Printable Valentine’s Day Fortune Cookies.
The concept is sweet and simple: You print the cookie shapes and fortune strips, follow the included instructions for origami-style folding and filling, and add a dab of glue to finish. The download is complete with four pre-written fortunes that range from romantic to racy, and four blank strips for you to fill in a message for your Valentine.
Given that I generally view the world through my stomach, it didn’t take long before I decided that homemade fortune cookies would be part of my immediate future.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and love is in the air. Speaking of mushy cliches, your Valentine’s plans don’t have to be full of them. Show your special someone that you’re up for anything with these gift picks for the perfect uncommon date.
Perfect Picnic
A romantic picnic in the park (or on the living room floor, if February doesn’t quite provide park weather in your neck of the woods) is a great way to avoid crowded restaurants and get in a little one-on-one time.
The next Instagram Challenge theme is Valentine’s Day! Here at UncommonGoods, we love celebrating holidays, especially holidays that give us a chance to sweeten up the gray winter grind. Whether your Valentine is your best friend, your spouse, new boyfriend or girlfriend, or your trusted furry companion, we hope that you spend the day showing extra gratitude for the love in your life. In the spirit of spreading extra love, we want to see how you’re celebrating February 14. While sharing your loving moments, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see the creative entries we’ve received so far. If you’re still searching for a perfect gift, don’t forget to check our non-traditional (but totally adorable) gifts for your special someone!
From all of us at UncommonGoods, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Congratulations to @alexiswinston for winning our Comfort Food Instagram Challenge with this delicious shot! Her accompanying caption matches our thoughts exactly: “Comfort food is the result of an experience. For Kate, the experience that gives the comforting feeling to her food is a full day of baking; Kneading the dough with her own hands only to taste and share that process later.”
Valentine’s Day is a chance to show your someone special that they’re always on your mind. A card with a big, red heart smack-dab in the middle is a nice place to start, but these less-conventional gifts are perfect for taking it to the next level, at any stage in your love story.
A Twist on the Traditional
We’re not saying you should skip the chocolate, because chocolate is delicious, but adding one of these more unexpected Valentine’s Day gifts is sweet AND original!
You’re in love. You want to shout from the rooftops and immortalize this epic romance by carving your initials into everything. Show your affection without excessive noise or vandalism with a stunning Personalized Love Birch Cuff instead.
Flowers are a safe bet for Valentine’s Day. But, as the old saying goes, presentation is everything! | Hanging Heart Vase
Show your partner that when it comes to love, you’re game. | Joystick Future Fossil
If you’re going to give her your heart, make sure it’s anatomically correct. | Anatomical Heart Pendant
You already tell her she’s beautiful every day, but this little message is a nice added reminder. | You Are Beautiful Earring Bowl
Send the Message
From “Hey, I think you’re cute,” to flirtatious first date banter, to deep “You complete me” conversations, relationships are all about communication. Here are a few ways to say “Be my Valentine” that blow conversation hearts right out of the candy dish.
“I love you” and “Happy Valentine’s Day” will get even bigger smiles when they come from Lil’ Mib.
Saucy texts are fun and all, but a handwritten love letter is really something special. This Love Letter Kit even comes with calligraphy instructions for those with less-than-fabulous handwriting.
And if you don’t find the right words on the first try, Crumple The Make-It-Yourself Bear is the perfect place to stuff your less-than-perfect drafts.
What better way to say “let’s get cozy together” than a little knitting? | Love Yarn Bowl
Our Love Story-A Journal, because your romance is one for the books.
Speaking of books, sometimes what’s in the pages can surprise you. Stash a little treasure in the Heart Book Box to let your Valentine in on the secret.
Pre-Date Primping
We know that you love each other no matter what, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a little extra sparkle on your big date night. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Clean up while you man up with this no-nonsense, vegan grooming collection. | Men’s Military Field Grooming Kit
If you’re planning a destination Valentine’s Day (lucky!), or looking to recreate your favorite spa experience, this portable set is a must-have to achieve that head-turning glow. | Spa in a Bag
Look sharp without rushing around trying to find those pesky collar stays! | Collar Stay Punch
Let your accessories speak for themselves. | My Heart is Always Yours Necklace
Romantic Evening In
Whether you’re cooking a candlelit dinner together, or ordering in from your favorite spot, these goods will set the mood for a delicious, cozy evening with your favorite person.
Because this special night is all about savoring “you & me” quality time. | Cheese & Crackers Serving Board
Take another little pizza my heart now, baby. | PI(Z*Z)A Stone
You might not be able to explain your bond, but you know it’s strong. Cheers to finding that allusive chemistry! | Molecular Flutes
You share everything else, so why not cozy up to your favorite snacks together? | Ooma Bowl
For all of the hopeless romantics who are guilty of being drunk on crazy, beautiful, intoxicating love. | “You’re Intoxicating” Heart Bottle Opener
Get Steamy
You know how all that romance makes you feel sort of…sexy? Go with it.
Set the mood by getting crafty together, and then ignite the flames. | DIY Soy Candle Kit
Incorporating cuisine into an intimate evening doesn’t have to be cheesy. Throw some chocolate in the Fondue for Two pot for an extra-enjoyable dessert.
Tease the taste buds with the AromaFork kit and let your senses of taste and smell have a little rendezvous their own.
Love can be a little messy, but in this case, that’s a good thing. Get a little dirty, make sweet art, and have almost as much fun cleaning up afterward. | Love is Art Kit
Wake Up Together
The stars have aligned, and Valentine’s Day is finally falling on a Saturday this year! Here are some essentials to enjoy a sweet, relaxing morning with your special someone.
Two soy lovebirds with an extra shot of espresso, coming right up! | Love Bird Coffee and Tea Cup Set
Your Valentine might not love mushy songs first thing in the morning. Here’s a more subtle way to say “you’re the wind beneath my wings.” | First Light
At the end of the day–and the beginning of the day–it’s the thoughts that count. | What I Love About You By Me Book
Happily Ever After
Whether you’re newlyweds or a self-proclaimed “old married couple,” Valentine’s Day is another chance to show that the spark is still there. (And it’s stronger than ever!)
Marriage isn’t exactly a destination, but it is a pretty exciting point in your journey together. Celebrate the Intersection of Love with personalized art.
You’ll always have each other to hold. Consider these glasses to hold your wine. | Have & Hold Stemless Wine Glasses
Now you can literally earn points with your spouse. | Marital Bliss Game
A rolling stone gathers no moss, but a happy marriage just might. | Love Grows Here Terrarium
Love a Little (One)
Cupid might not be aiming for your fur babies or newborn babies, but how could you possibly resist? These tokens will be sure to show your adorable Valentines what you mean when you gush “I love you!”
Time for your baby’s first Valentine’s Day? Cover those cute little toes with x’s and o’s! | XO Booties
More meow-worthy than Meow Mix, this sweet dessert is sure to satisfy the sassiest of kittens! | Catnip Chocolate Covered Strawberries
As if your pups needs another reason to glaze you with kisses. | Squeaky Dog Donuts
Valentine’s Day is approaching and, as the old saying goes, love is in the air. We’re extra giddy about celebrating Saint Valentine’s holiday this year thanks to a special collection of fun new art created by our Product Development team. The Intersection of Love ™ is a way to show the world that your one-and-only has a special place in your heart.
On the other hand, Valentine’s Day can be a total bummer for those who are feeling unlucky not in love. And, since our blog team is made up of women at different points in the journey to the intersection of love, we decided to pool our experiences one night over a couple glasses of wine and share our best advice for those looking to arrive at the corner of commitment.
1. Make an itinerary for your journey. Know who you are and what you want.
Some travelers are just looking for friendship, others are looking for marriage, and some want something in between. Before hitting the road, evaluate what you really want. Look at the map of where you’ve already been to evaluate past relationships, then make a note of where you want to be, who you want to be there with you, and what you want to do to find that person.
2. Choose Your Mode of Transportation
Where will you feel comfortable meeting someone? Many people find love online these days. There’s nothing wrong with that, and although it can be scary setting up that online dating profile, once you make the decision to do it it’s a lot easier than you think!
It’s also okay to go the old-fashioned route. Get out there and attend events where you can meet people with similar interests, talk to your friends to see if they’re interested in setting you up, and don’t feel like you have to commit to the same mode of transportation for the whole ride.
3. Read the Road Signs
You’ll come across some important road signs along the way, so it’s important to be able to read those signals. Some things are easy to pick up on (your potential partner stops texting), but others are a bit more subtle. It’s impossible to tell what another person is thinking, so trust your intuition. Spending time with someone is sort of like taking driver’s ed. You’ll learn new things along the way.
4. Check Your Gas Gauge
You don’t want to run out of gas, but that can happen if you leave a lead foot on the accelerator. It’s okay to tap the brake, or even pull over for a bit if you think you’re going too fast. Keep your tank full by making conscious efforts to keep your relationship exciting. Also, take the time to really think about your relationship and if what you’re putting into it (and getting from it) is creating a mutual valuable experience. If your tank does start to get low, it’s time to evaluate whether it’s working or if it’s just time to move on.
5. Know When to Flip on Cruise Control
So, you have a full tank of gas and you’re feeling pretty comfortable? When your relationship is in a good place, you don’t always have to stress about what’s next. When you get to this point, make time to enjoy just hanging out together (even if you don’t have big plans), get to know each other’s friends and family, and learn little things about each other you didn’t know before. Sometimes it’s fine to relax and take in the scenery.
6. Knowing When You’ve Arrived at the Intersection of Love
When you reach the intersection, you can pretty much drive with your eyes closed (though we certainly don’t recommend doing that on any actual road trip). When you’re both in the same place emotionally and have the same idea of what it means to “arrive” then it’s almost as if your GPS has announced “Destination on left.”
Disclaimer: The blog team at UncommonGoods are not relationship experts. We don’t have degrees in interpersonal psychology, and the advice in this post probably shouldn’t be taken too seriously. However, we do sincerely hope you find your way to the intersection of love!
