So, if you haven’t made cards, and you haven’t picked out any to buy, you are seriously running out of time folks. There aren’t that many wacky Valentine’s Day cards out there – and even less architect based valentines, however, you can still score some unique cards vs. the typical blah hearts blah love deal.

The card above is actually part of a postcard set; oh! my god! i miss you by yoshitomo nara. BUT I love the title card; it’s one of my fave postcards. Nara’s art is all fun, but the OMG postcard is such a nice way to say I love you that I had to share. Especially good if your Valentine is far, far away.

Be the person who sends the world’s longest card ever with Fairy Tail greeting cards by Tord Boontje and Artecnica. Genius.

Nothing says a unique I love you like shooting someone’s brains out. Only if they’re already a zombie though. Guns + real humans = not cool. See more at Tina Seamonster.

This card is unique as in you’ll be spending a unique Valentine’s Day alone if you send it. Actually, I think it’s funny, but I’ve had mates who might disagree – send carefully to the right person. See more fun at Be My Anti Valentine.

Pick up a single love note made of eco-friendly sustainably-harvested yellow birch from Night Owl Paper Goods. These are semi-traditional, and not so offbeat in text, but a card made of wood is too cool to pass up. Plus, right now if you spend $40 you get a free reusable tote too! Cards shown above include:

• love scribble
• owl love you forever
• be my honey
• folksy floral hearts

If you’re looking for more traditional cards (that are eco-friendly) see: Green Valentine’s Day Cards.

Need gifts? Check out the Offbeat Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas OR you can always choose a great house book. Nothing says I LOVE YOU like eye candy architecture – am I right?

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Offbeat Valentine’s Day Cards – Hurry Up Already

Not much says a weird I love you like one of The String Doll Gang from Kamibashi. Some good choices for a super lovable heart day…

Lover Boy

Little Frank

Queen of Hearts

Love shaped rubberbands – maybe for your office mate? The one you know you shouldn’t flirt with? Hmmm.

Dream Wedding Tin Bank – SO tacky that I sort of like it.

How overrated are cute little stuffed bears? Very. Monster Colin is way more lovable, in a zoned out sort of way.

Magic Frog to Prince – At this point I might keep it in frog form.

Bonus links:

• See the weirdest (and sort of disturbing) vintage Valentine EVER. I have no words.
• And dysfunctional candy hearts – why, because the real ones have always annoyed me.

Later an Offbeat Valentine card round up AND if I can manage it, some actual structural valentine ideas.

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Offbeat Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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Inhabitat Green Gift Guide

The books:

Both by Lori Ryker; both delightful; both major eye candy for home lovers. Check out the full reviews:

• Off the Grid
• Off the Grid Homes

[images via Amazon]

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Off Grid Books

Here’s what happens – you pick these up for a kid you know, and all the adults in the house steal these cool irregular blocks away and build neat structures. I know I’d take them. This set comes with 20 blocks in various colors.

$37.95 – Selecta Arcadia Building Blocks

+ The Silly Wagon

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Irregular Building Blocks

The perfect springy chair for your perfectly kooky kid.

Kid’s Spring Chair

+ Cambium Studio – totally innovative furniture design BTW. Check them out!

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Bouncy Kid Gift

How To See

This book is a gem. It looks like something only a select few might enjoy; but really Nelson’s, ‘there you go’ speaking manner and his insight into the designs that swirl in the world all around us make this a book to hunt out and love.

Mint Hug Salt and Pepper Set

A nice stocking stuffer. Great design and it’s functional. Plus come on; how adorable. You don’t get common kitchen items better than this.

Vitra Chair Poster

Ah lovely Vitra. Framed nicely the perfect addition to any office. Get those offbeat juices flowing. Visit the above link to see a better close-up.

Alberto Clotheshorse

In green gift idea I have this…

What the heck…

Artecnica Midsummer Light

This little offbeat ditty is a play on light, a lamp shade of sorts; double layer paper pendant light in tyvek from designer Tord Boontje. To give you idea, here it is in full view in green and yellow. But I’d get this in the white (next to green). It also comes in a fairly obscene fuchsia.

Frank Lloyd Wright: A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick DVD

One of those classic, easy, offbeat gifts. Not so offbeat from the offset but a great use of 160 minutes.

I Heart Guts

What every offbeat kiddo needs under the tree this year.

Guts too scary for your little?

How about this amazing tree puzzle. Not sure how on earth to get it; being that it’s seemingly only on display at the Toy Museum in Nakano but I WANT it.

Alessi Lieto Angel Statuette

I thought for my last idea I’d offer something non typical of me. I’m not into little figurines. Or angel items. Not because I frown on angels, but more because I never see anything truly unique in angels. This little angel is part of the Alessi Figurines Project and I really like it. It’s such a fresh take on the typical angel figurine and I think it would make the perfect gift for a collector.

Happy holiday shopping! 

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Nine Last-Minute Offbeat Worthy Holiday Gifts

Kidsonroof Mobile Home

Kids can take this home everywhere — not true of the typical doll house. Also, not to get sexist but my son who is all boy in the most boy way one can be even likes this house. He told me it looks cool and most doll homes he passes off as, “Girly.” Yes we are working on him never calling things “Girly.” It’s the only thing he does that really frustrates me.
Kids can play with this 360 degrees, pick it up, carry it around, take it in the car, and even sit it on their lap. The home has 8 rooms along with various stair openings and spyholes plus an attic space.

Other perks:

• Made of strong, stable 100% recycled cardboard.
• 100% biodegradable.
• Thoroughly tested: CE approved.
• Easy to assemble and folds down flat for storage.
• No sharp corners and opens on all sides.
• Kids on the Roof donates 5% of purchase to UNICEF.

My perk for you is that it encourages imagination better than a typical doll house. Don’t get me wrong I love some doll houses. However, with the Mobile Home, kids can perceive their own rooms and how they’d like the spaces to be arranged. They can decorate how they choose and simply swim in the simplicity of design that is the blue cardboard house.

Available at Spunky Sprout.

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Home for the Kiddos

Still, an offbeat table will make a delightful gift for an offbeat someone special.

How The Concrete Studio works is they design specifically for a client. During the design process materials are chosen such as copper, glass, concrete, etc. Supposedly they’re noted for their experience with mixing mediums such as concrete and stainless steel, copper and glass to create one of a kind pieces. Seeing the table above I believe it. They also offer neat architectural metalwork, counter tops, and more — but all with flare. Personalized flare in fact, which makes them an Offbeat holiday gift pick.

Visit The Concrete Studio to learn more.  

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: Functional Art

The King of Siam Shelf is made by mOEbler. I like it as far as offbeat goes but do not like the color (good thing there’s paint) and can’t imagine what I’d do with those tiny extra spaces. How about you?

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Offbeat Holiday Gift Guide: King of Siam