AAM’s 2015 Made in America Gift Guide
Public Policy Intern, Alliance for American Manufacturing
There's something American-made for everyone on your list this season.
We know American-made options aren’t always available and sometimes take effort to find. That's why, with your help, we put together this helpful Made in America holiday gift guide.
By making sure there are at least a few American-made items on your gift list you’ll be supporting American workers.
Alabama: Make a Statement! Night Owl Paper Goods creates cards, calendars, invitations, and other paper goods that stand out as both creatively thoughtful and environmentally friendly. This Birmingham, “owl”-abama company creates everything by hand from sustainably harvested birch wood or reclaimed textiles.
Alaska: For the aspiring chef in your life, this Alaskan Made Ulu knife based on the original Eskimo design, is an excellent addition to any kitchen. Particularly adept at fileting fish and chopping vegtables, the Ulu knife makes cutting and chopping a breeze.
Arizona: If you ever find yourself in Arizona, at the beach, or outside on a sunny day, Liquid Eyewear is worth a look. The Yuma-based company produces several unique types of shades like the Titan hingeless model, which is great for any active lifestyle. The company also customizable features with over 300 different combinations to choose from.
Arkansas: All gardeners should have a healthy collection of utility baskets at their disposal and Crate & Basket Co. is here to help. Approaching their 100th anniversary, this company knows their baskets and has everything from a full bushel squat basket to a ¼ peck handled basket. They also sell crates.
California: Have you ever wondered who makes the greatest hoodie ever made? According to Slate, it’s American Giant who, with their innovative business model, has broken into the domestic textile industry and can lay claim to a 100-percent Made in America product. The company is focused on online sales and word of mouth marketing to keep overhead low and investment into the quality of their product high. I can attest to the fact that it is an excellent hoodie; after reading the Slate article, I had to have one for myself and it does not disappoint. California also boasts many other notable clothing and apparel companies such as Large Leather, Bear Wallow Glove Company, and Sloggers.
Colorado: If mountains are your thing, Fulsus USA has the jacket for you. Creating their products at 10,000 feet above sea level and testing them in the Rockies, this company creates tried and true jackets that hold up to rigorous standards in extreme conditions so that they may perform for customers anywhere.
Connecticut: Need a table? Or maybe a dresser? Perhaps a rocking chair? The Hitchcock Chair Co. is the perfect place to shop for traditional wooden furniture for any home.
Delaware: When think about what to make for the holidays, consider an American icon: JELL-O. The mix for JELL-O is made at a Kraft facility in Dover. It should be noted that the pre-made JELL-O is made in Mason City, Iowa at a different Kraft Facility.
District of Columbia: For the drink aficionado on your list, “Don Ciccio's artisanal liqueurs offer a refreshing glimpse of the past with a nod to the future.” Don Ciccio & Figli creates Italian liqueurs from historic recipes.
Florida: All fisherman should have a fly reel from Tibor Reel Corp. The family-owned company designs and manufactures its reels in house in order to create a truly world class reel. The reels are so good, in fact, they hold the International Game Fish Association World Record for setting the Most World Records for fish caught with the reel. Designed to be maintenance-free, salt-water fly reels, Tibor creates a product that is a must for any fisherman.
Georgia: Know someone that’s headed to the beach? Give the gift of a nice pair of flip-flops. Okabashi makes environmentally friendly footwear from partially recycled materials.
Hawaii: There is only one place on earth you should be buying Hawaiian shirts from: Hawaii. Sig Zane Designs offers a wide selections of shirts and dresses made to “honor the land and the native culture.” This family-owned business “celebrate[s] excellence and beauty” through their commitment to sharing culture and staying true to their values by making their clothing in Hawaii.
Soy candle from Lit & Co.
Idaho: Try giving a gift that fills a room and tells a story. Custom fragrances and small-batch candles, room sprays, reed diffusers, and more are the specialty of Lit & Co. Candles. Their soy candles also offer a longer lasting and cleaner option that is sourced from American-grown soybeans.
Illinois: Don’t forget the handyman in the family! Check out LoggerHead Tools for some unique tools that promise “a gripping experience.” Also, can’t leave out the dog owner on your list who will love what the aptly named PoopBags has to offer.
Indiana: There’s another aptly named company for those cat lovers on your list. PurrfectPlay offers a wide variety of organic and pet-friendly toys and other products. They also have stuff for dogs.
Iowa: Whether you’re shopping for a basic paring knife or a complete set of chef-grade products, Rada Cutlery and their huge selection of 100-percent American-made cutlery products is the only place you need to look. If you need something for a competitive cycler, check out Rüster Sports and their premium selection worthy of any cycler’s setup.
Kansas: Need to stock a whole workshop? Find a wrench and a screwdriver for the basics? Wilde Tool Co. can be found in many national retailers or order online. Driven by a strong Work ethic and with Integrity in mind, this company develops a Loyal customer base with their Dependable tools created in an Ethical workplace.
Kentucky: In-laws driving you up the wall this holiday season? Bridge the divide between you and your significant other’s oddball uncle by getting him a bottle of Buffalo Trace, made in Kentucky for centuries. It’s award-winning, and all of the ingredients come from local farms near the distillery.
Louisiana: You know how long they’ve been making Tabasco hot sauce in Louisiana? Since the 1860s. About half of the company’s 200 employees actually live right down the road from its factory on Avery Island. Only thing that’s changed about its recipe? A longer aging process and a bit more vinegar. You know you love that hot sauce.
Maine: Did you know? Every yo-yo that Tom Kuhn Yo-Yo makes is manufactured and hand-assembled at its factory in Maine. Then, every yo-yo is “tested for quality and tuned for performance by a World Yo-Yo Champion. Serious yo-yos here, made in America.
Maryland: If you’re looking for the goods necessary for adults to have a good time at the beach – like tote bags, bottle openers, beach chairs, shatterproof wine glasses and stylish key fobs – look no further. Skipper Bags, made in Maryland, has you covered.
Massachusetts: No need to ask if you want to look like Tom Cruise in Top Gun; we all do. But there’s an easier way to look like a fighter pilot than flight school: a pair of Randolph Aviator sunglasses. They meet rigid military-spec standards, and look ridiculously cool.
Michigan: Who cares if it’s the dead of winter? This is America, and that means it’s time to Grill Out. The Master Q, made in Detroit by Applewood Smokers, can smoke all of the meat you can throw at it. They also make a solid portable fire pit and a tasty barbecue rub. But really, check out that smoker.
Minnesota: What’s in Ely, Minnesota? A lot of moose, forests, and Steger Mukluks & Moccasins. Modeled after the style of footwear made by Native Americans, these boots are incredibly warm in the coldest of climates. Patti Steger started off making footwear from home – now, the company she founded cranks out more than 14,000 pairs every year, according to Steger’s website.
Mississippi: You never know: There might be someone on your holiday gift list who needs a new oven. Don’t worry: Viking Range has you covered. The vast majority of its product line is made in Greenwood, Mississippi. Stovetop ranges, dishwasher, ventilation hoods, wine cellars; You name it, Viking makes it.
Missouri: Have you ever found yourself out of place, wandering through the Victoria’s Secret at your local mall? Problem solved: Sassy Chassis, from Creve Coeur, Missouri, makes vintage lingerie, and all of the materials and labor that goes into making each undergarment is sourced from the States.
Montana: Where’d them boots come from, pardner? If you bought a pair of Schnee’s, Bozeman, Montana’s outdoor outfitter, they could have come from lots of places. But its signature line – its Pac Boots – are made right there in Big Sky Country. If you’re stalking elk way out in the sticks, you need a solid boot. Try a pair of Schnee’s.
Nebraska: Your one-stop shop for every grill and grill accessory you will ever need is from Beatrice, Nebraska. Blaz’n Grill Works makes its grills out of Nebraska steel, gets its powder coat paint from Colorado, stainless steel grates from Pennsylvania, and its temperature controls from Oregon. They’re all about an American-made product.
Nevada: You know what everybody likes around the holidays, besides eggnog and the Charlie Brown TV specials? Chocolate. Try Kimmie Candy. Owner Joe Dutra relocated himself from California and his previously offshored manufacturing operation to Reno, Nevada, where it employs more than 30 people. Its award-winning ChocoRocks line are surprisingly tasty.
New Hampshire: Stocking up on shoes is one thing, but maintaining them is another. Here’s how to do it: Buy a handful of red-cedar shoe and boot trees from the Rochester Shoe Tree Company, keeping your kicks good-looking since 1922. All of the Ashland, New Hampshire company’s cedar products are made in America.
New Jersey: Even your dog will appreciate a holiday gift. Every single product sold by New Jersey-based All Star Dogs is made in America. Fido needs a new leash, or a sweatshirt with the New Jersey Devils logo on it? All Star Dogs has got you covered.
New Mexico: A little bit of jewelry goes a long way; and especially so if every bit of that jewelry is American-made. At Relios, the Albuquerque home of Carolyn Pollack Sterling Jewelry, everything – from jewelry design, to the wax carving, the metal casting, and stone setting – is done in the United States. A great place to shop for that special someone.
New York: It may be cold outside, but it’s never too early to stock up on open-toed footwear. At Vere Sandal Company, everything is comes from a factory in Geneva, New York. Vere keeps it simple – think of a lot of iterations on some solid flip-flops – but check out their Sherpa line. Like walking on a rug! Don't forget to check out Liberty Tabletop, America's only flatware maker, made in the Empire State.
North Carolina: Are Texas Jeans made in Texas? No. They’re now made in North Carolina. But are they 100 percent American-made? You better believe it. Everything, from the fabric and thread to the buttons and zippers, come from vendors in the United States. Free shipping with orders of $100 or more. Texas Jeans also offers a fire-resistant line of workwear.
North Dakota: No amount of leftover holiday ham will taste as good as it would with a bunch of mustard slathered on top of it. But don’t go buying just any old mustard: Buy O’Connor’s, which is cranking out old-world recipe mustard in North Dakota. No artificial flavors or preservatives.
Ohio: Guess how many footballs a day the Wilson Football factory in Ada, Ohio makes? 4,000! That amounts to over 700,000 a year. No automation on the plant floor – all production is done by hand by the 120 employees. And all of that football leather comes from cowhide sourced from Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Oklahoma: If you’ve really got to get a jerky fix this December, skip the Slim Jims and try some of Stan’s, producer of award-winning hickory-smoked meats since the 1970s!
Oregon: Let me guess: You have absolutely no idea what to get the beekeeper on your shopping list? Fret no more: Bee Thinking, the world’s first supplier specializing in a number of foundation-less bee hives, makes all of their products in Portland, Oregon. Really: Shopping for a beekeeper has never been so easy.
Pennsylvania: You know the mark of a good toy? One that’s been around for generations. That’s what you get with K’Nex. All of the bricks, rods, and connectors in K’Nex construction toys that entirely made at an eco-friendly facility in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Junior will love these.
Rhode Island: Fact: Little Rhody makes a lot of jewelry. Lucca + Dani, a family business that started in 1951, got a major rejuvenation when family scion Fred Magnanimi took over the business. L + D makes beautiful stuff, all in Cranston, Rhode Island.
South Carolina: Know someone that needs a high quality leather belt? Look no further than Orion Leather Company. With belts of all sizes and customizable features to boot, there is something to complement any style.
South Dakota: Everyone loves popcorn! So if you’re at a loss for what to get someone on your list, check out South Dakota Popcorn Co.. With a wide variety of baskets, boxes, and assortments, there is something for anyone. Also, don't forget the salt water taffy!
Tennesse: This century-old operation has a great apparel selection. L.C. King Manufacturing Co. offers a large selection of workwear and streetwear. Whether you’re shopping for a casual pair of jeans or some overalls, this company is worth a look.
Texas: If you need chocolates, shirts, nuts, or vodka, look no further than the great state of Texas. Cowboy-Up Chocolates offers a wide array of treats sure to deliver holiday cheer. Flameless Shirt is a great place for some “highly original clothing.” If you need some chestnuts to roast by the fire or just a good mix to set out as a snack, Fredlyn Nut Co. has you covered. Finally, some vodka can liven up any holiday party so give Tito’s Handmade Vodka a shot.
Utah: This Ogden bike company makes a wheel that is both “light and strong, stiff and comfortable, fast and stable, durable and maintenance-free.” ENVE’s wheels are race wheels, but they believe you should ride them every day.
Vermont: Authentic Designs employs skilled light fabricators specializing in early American and Colonial light designs. Each light fixture is entirely built in their West Rupert workshop, using the finest raw materials.
Virginia: Fox Creek Leather has evolved over 40 years to become a well-known, family-run business selling motorcycle-related products – think jackets, boots, and luggage – from its home base in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and it prioritizes personalized products and customer satisfaction over everything.
Washington: Ever wonder what happens to old rubber from bike wheels? Alchemy Good upcycles these and other materials to manufacture completely different and new products. The company turns recycled bike intertubes into belts, bags, wallets, and more.
West Virginia: When the coal mine closed and the Jennings lost their jobs, Stan and Sue began a woodworking business. Alleghany Treenware focuses on small domestic wooden objects for your kitchen. The couple designed and made an ornament for the 1999 White House Christmas tree. The Mountain State is home to another kitchen-related company, Homer Laughlin, which makes Fiesta dishware.
Wisconsin: Wigwam Mills takes made in America seriously. The 110 year old, family-owned company sources the majority of their wool almost exclusively from American yarn spinners who buy from American wool growers.
Wyoming: Bring some of the state’s rugged mountain climate home with you. Mountain Meadow Wool’s 11 employees make wool products using an environmentally friendly process. The company’s yarns are sold in retail stores across the country or online.
